The Centaurus
سَینٹورس
The Centaurus
Interactive map of The Centaurus
General information
Status	Completed
Type	Hotel mall residential corporate
Location	One Jinnah Avenue, Sector F-8, Islamabad-44220, Pakistan
Coordinates	33°42′28″N 73°03′00″E / 33.7077°N 73.0499°E / 33.7077; 73.0499
Current tenants	Mövenpick Hotels & Resorts
Construction started	2006
Completed	2015
Opening	17 February 2013
Cost	USD 450 Million
Owner	Sardar Muhammad Ilyas Khan (Chairman Centaurus Group of Companies)[1] Sardar Rashid Ilyas Khan (President)[2] Sardar Yasir Ilyas (CEO)
Technical details
Floor count	26[3]
Design and construction
Architect	Atkins
Developer	Pak Gulf Construction (Pvt) Ltd (Pakistan) Al Tamimi Group of Companies (Saudi Arabia) Sardar Builders (Pakistan)
Other information
Number of rooms	500
Public transit access	PIMS Metrobus Station
Website
thecentaurusmall.com

The Centaurus is a mixed-use real estate development in Islamabad, Pakistan. The complex comprises a four-storey shopping mall, three 22-storey towers containing residential and office space, and a 26-storey hotel operated under the Mövenpick brand. The Centaurus Mall opened in 2013, and the Mövenpick Hotel Centaurus Islamabad, featuring approximately 380 rooms and suites with associated leisure and event facilities, officially opened in early 2025 as part of the broader development adjacent to the retail podium. The project integrates retail, hospitality, residential, and commercial functions within a single urban complex.^[4][5]

Construction of The Centaurus complex in Sector F‑8, Islamabad, began in 2006 as a mixed‑use development project designed by the British architectural firm Atkins and developed by Pak Gulf Construction (Pvt) Ltd, a joint venture between the Al Tamimi Group of Saudi Arabia and Sardar Builders of Pakistan. The construction work was carried out with the involvement of China State Construction Engineering Corporation.^[6][7] The complex consists of a retail podium housing the shopping mall and three high‑rise towers for residential apartments, corporate offices, and future hotel facilities. The Centaurus Mall portion was completed and opened to the public in phases beginning in 2013, featuring more than 250 national and international retail outlets across multiple floors.^[8] Architectural design incorporates modern elements with consideration for earthquake‑resistant engineering standards and draws inspiration from the nearby Margalla Hills with its curved roofline and integrated urban planning.^[9] While the mall and residential towers were substantially completed in the early 2010s, work on the hotel and other components continued in later years.

The Centaurus Mall provides a variety of entertainment options for visitors in addition to shopping and dining. The mall houses a modern multiplex cineplex on its fourth floor, featuring multiple screens with 2D and 3D showings of recent Pakistani, Hollywood, and international films, along with standard sound systems and seating facilities.^[10] Adjacent to the cinema, Fun City operates as a large indoor amusement and family entertainment centre, offering arcade games, rides, kiddie attractions, and play areas designed to cater to children and families.^[11] The mall also periodically hosts events, exhibitions, and live performances in its public spaces, contributing to its role as a leisure destination within Islamabad.^[12]

The food court at Centaurus Mall features a wide range of local and international dining options, catering to diverse tastes and budgets. It includes fast food chains, casual dining outlets, dessert cafés, and beverage kiosks, offering cuisines such as Pakistani, Middle Eastern, East Asian, and Western food. The food court is designed as a central communal dining space and serves as one of the mall’s main attractions, accommodating large numbers of visitors, particularly during weekends and public holidays.

On 9 October 2022, a significant fire broke out at Centaurus Mall in Islamabad, reportedly originating on the third floor near the food court. Smoke and flames spread across multiple levels of the shopping complex and the adjoining residential towers, prompting a large emergency response from fire brigades, rescue teams, and armed forces units. All occupants were safely evacuated, and no deaths or serious injuries were reported. The fire was brought under control after approximately two hours, with assistance from the Pakistan Navy, Pakistan Air Force, and Rescue 1122, among others.^[13][14] Following the incident, the mall and its residential towers were sealed by authorities pending structural safety assessments and further investigation into the cause of the fire. Initial inquiries indicated that combustible materials and deficiencies in fire safety systems may have contributed to the rapid spread of the blaze.^[15]

In 2015, Centaurus Mall introduced an entry coupon system for some visitors, intended to manage overcrowding. The coupon could be adjusted against purchases made on the same day. Certain groups were exempt from purchasing the coupon, including women and children under 12, senior citizens, lawmakers, executives, diplomats, foreign visitors, journalists, lawyers, doctors, teachers, and well-known athletes and public figures. The policy attracted public attention and debate at the time.^[16]

As of recent reports, the mall does not charge a general entry fee, and visitors can enter freely. Fees apply only for specific activities such as cinema tickets, amusement rides, or dining in the food court.^[17]

• List of tallest buildings in Islamabad

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Centaurus Mall, Islamabad.

• Official website