Eco-friendly design drives growth at Rosslyn Riviera Mall

At a time when many shopping malls across Kenya continue to grapple with vacant spaces and declining relevance, Nairobi's Rosslyn Riviera Mall says a deliberate focus on sustainability, community and curated retail experiences has helped it achieve strong growth in both occupancy and visitor numbers.

Located along Limuru Road and built around a natural river, the mall was opened in 2017 with an eco-friendly design that incorporates green spaces and natural ventilation.

According to the mall's operators, the property has undergone a significant turnaround after struggling to attract tenants in its early years.

Joshua Muinde, Chief Executive Officer of Thaara Limited, which operates the mall, said occupancy has grown from about 30 per cent during its repositioning phase to 88 per cent currently, while average daily footfall has risen to about 5,000 visitors.

"The empty malls aren't empty because Kenyans stopped shopping. Footfall in the right locations is stronger than ever. They're empty because they were built as real-estate plays, not as customer destinations," Muinde said.

He argued that Kenya's retail sector is not suffering from an oversupply of malls as much as it is dealing with a lack of differentiation among developments.

"What we have are too many similar malls," he said, adding that the mall's strategy has centred on serving residents in surrounding neighbourhoods including Runda, Rosslyn, Gigiri, Muthaiga, Nyari, Kitisuru, Ruaka and parts of Kiambu County.

Muinde attributed the mall's growth to three key factors: its neighbourhood-focused model, environmentally conscious design and a tenant selection strategy aimed at matching the needs of its catchment area.

The mall currently hosts tenants including Chandarana Foodplus, Love Home Mart, Nairobi Hospital, Java House and Royal Enfield's East and Central Africa flagship store, among other retailers and service providers.

The latest addition to the mall is Sifa Terra & Bloom, a Nairobi-based garden décor and landscaping business that has opened a showroom at the property.

The company has also installed three customised water fountains at the mall's entrances as part of efforts to enhance the facility's aesthetics.

Founder Charles Wandeto said the location aligns with the company's target market, citing the affluent residential neighbourhoods surrounding the mall.

Looking ahead, Rosslyn Riviera plans to expand its home, wellness and entertainment offerings while increasing community and cultural programming in a bid to position itself as more than just a shopping destination.

"We're in active conversations to bring in strong service brands. Expect Rosslyn Riviera to keep setting the standard for what a modern, sustainable, community-anchored Kenyan mall can be," Muinde said.