The ownership, architecture, and vision behind Upper Hill’s first major mall
If you have ever driven along Third Ngong Avenue, you have already noticed the sleek, modern silhouette of The Beacon Mall Upper Hill. Bold and impossible to ignore, it stands as a premium retail landmark at the heart of Upper Hill, representing the next phase of Nairobi’s urban development
Officially completed in late 2024 and fully launched in 2025, Beacon Mall became Upper Hill’s first major retail mall, transforming a district once defined purely by offices into a true live work shop destination.
Why Beacon Mall Matters to Upper Hill
Upper Hill is one of Nairobi’s fastest-growing corporate zones, home to embassies, multinational offices, hospitals, and financial institutions. For years, professionals working here had to travel to Westlands or the CBD for retail and dining.
Beacon Mall changed that.
Strategically positioned along 3rd Ngong Avenue in Upper Hill, directly opposite the Nairobi Club and near the Kenya National Library, Beacon Mall sits at the edge of Upper Hill and Nairobi’s CBD. Its location primarily serves Upper Hill, Kilimani, and the city centre, offering easy access for professionals and residents moving between these districts. Fully operational from late 2025 into early 2026, the mall is anchored by Carrefour Market, Total Energies, and a Safaricom Shop, reinforcing its role as a convenient, everyday retail hub in one of Nairobi’s most active commercial zones.
But the real story goes deeper than location.
Who Owns Beacon Mall in Nairobi?
Beacon Mall was developed by Kiloran Development Group, also known as Kiloran LLP, a UK-based real estate firm with active operations in both London and Nairobi.
Kiloran is not new to Kenya. The group previously delivered the Kes 1.3 billion Cedar Mall in Nanyuki, a project that demonstrated their interest in regional growth nodes rather than only traditional city centres.
For Beacon Mall, Kiloran partnered with Kenyan consultants, contractors, and property specialists, blending international development standards with local market insight. Today, retail leasing and property management are handled by professional firms such as Square Metre Consultants, ensuring the mall operates at institutional-grade level.
The Architect Behind the Vision: Will Alsop’s African Legacy
Beacon Mall holds a special place in global architecture history.
The conceptual design was led by the late British architect Will Alsop, through his firm aLL Design, co-founded with Marcos Rosello. Internationally, Alsop was known for rejecting dull glass boxes in favour of expressive, people-first architecture.
Beacon Mall is Alsop’s only project in Africa, intentionally designed as an architectural legacy.
He famously described the concept as a “sweet factory”, a building that feels joyful, human, and accessible rather than intimidating. The result is a structure defined by:
- Bright, playful colours
- Open air circulation
- Fluid forms instead of rigid lines
- Social spaces that encourage lingering, not rushing
After Alsop’s passing, his team at aLL Design continued overseeing the project, ensuring the final build remained faithful to his original vision while meeting modern sustainability and safety standards.
From Concept to Completion: A Long Road Worth Taking
The Beacon Mall project was first announced in 2018, with an ambitious plan to introduce an open air retail concept to Upper Hill. Initial timelines targeted completion in 2020, but like many large scale developments, construction faced delays between 2020 and 2024.
Rather than rushing delivery, the developers refined the concept, expanded tenant mix, and adapted infrastructure to modern urban traffic demands. By late 2024, the mall reached completion, with full operational launch in 2025.
Today, Beacon Mall stands as the largest retail development on Nairobi’s city-centre periphery, bridging the gap between the CBD and Upper Hill.
What You Will Find Inside Beacon Mall
Beacon Mall follows a hybrid mixed-use model, combining retail, dining, and professional office space in one integrated environment.
Retail and Dining Experience
The mall dedicates approximately 24,300 square metres to retail and food outlets, attracting both daily shoppers and destination visitors.
Key features include:
- Carrefour Supermarket as the anchor tenant
- Well-known brands such as Safaricom and Optica
- Cafés, restaurants, and fast-food outlets serving office workers and families
- A design aesthetic that feels open, bright, and family-friendly
Offices with a View
Above the retail component sits a seven-storey Grade A office tower, offering approximately 4,200 square metres of workspace. The offices overlook a rooftop garden and bar, creating a rare blend of productivity and leisure in Upper Hill.
This setup allows professionals to work, shop, dine, and relax without leaving the precinct.
Infrastructure and Accessibility
Beacon Mall was designed to handle heavy daily traffic with ease:
- Integrated vehicle circulation for nearly 2,000 cars per day
- Safe and spacious parking
- On-site Total Energies service station
- Iconic features such as the piano staircase and conceptual monorail elements
More Than a Mall: A New Urban Chapter
Beacon Mall is not trying to compete with traditional malls like Westlands or Sarit. Instead, it fills a long-standing gap in Upper Hill, offering convenience, character, and culture in a district once dominated by glass office towers.
It represents:
- Nairobi’s growing confidence in bold architecture
- A shift toward mixed-use urban planning
- A rare example of global design thoughtfully adapted to a local market
For Nairobi, Beacon Mall is not just a place to shop. It is proof that commercial spaces can still inspire curiosity, creativity, and community.