The Village Market is a popular shopping and entertainment centre in the upmarket suburb of Gigiri in Nairobi, Kenya.
Situated on 7 acres of land worth Sh. 1.6 billion, the shopping complex is known for its unique blend of local and international shops, restaurants and entertainment facilities.
Unknown to many, this land was once a coffee farm over three decades ago. It offers visitors a one-stop destination for shopping, dining and leisure.
Who are the owners of Village Market?
Hamed Ehsani and his brother Mehraz Ehsani own Village Market under their Investment firm, Green Hills Investment.
The two brothers came to Kenya with their families in 1979. They were fleeing the Iranian revolution in Iran. They were hunted down by the then-Iranian government for supporting the Bahai Faith, which advocated for things like women’s rights.
The plan initially was to stay in Kenya for 2 weeks and then leave for Australia. But the families decided to live here permanently after falling in love with the country.
Mehraz worked as a UoN lecturer, teaching Architecture, while Hamed became the Managing Director at Greenhill Investments Limited.
The inception of the village market was sparked when the brothers, Hamed and Mehraz, were returning home from playing golf in Limuru. On their journey back, they realized there was no shopping Center in Gigiri.
This realization became the focal point of their establishing today’s Sh. 15 billion village market.
“We were just driving around when my brothers and I saw this place and thought we could set up a few shops and create a shopping centre that captures the concept of an African village, a market that brings people together and creates a setting for socioeconomic interrelations.”
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To achieve their dream, the Ehsani brothers secured a loan of Sh. 90 million from a bank. Construction started in 1992. They cleared the coffee bushes that were on the 7-acre land parcel.
Initially, the brothers built 10 shops. It became challenging to rent them out as people perceived Gigiri as far from the city centre.
Nonetheless, the brothers persevered; three years later, they expanded to 60 shops.
In order to draw more customers to Village Market, Hamed and Mehraz decided to add recreational facilities such as cinema halls, water slides and a 12-lane bowling alley.
Hamed believes that impacting people’s lives is more important than making money. While the Village Market has undoubtedly been successful financially, Hamed’s primary focus has always been on creating a space that benefits the community.
With their multi-billion shopping centre, the Ehsani brothers put Kenya on the world map.
Generational footsteps
Hamed Ehsani has 3 children, all of whom are boys. They are Hooman, Shamim and Soha Ehsani. The three grew up seeing their father and uncle Mehraz work in the real estate industry, particularly on construction sites.
Hooman and Soha followed in their father’s footsteps by studying architecture in Boston, USA. They later returned to Kenya to put their academically acquired skills to the test.
Hooman Ehsani is the real estate developer behind Sh. 3 billion Palm Valley Estate in Nairobi. He is the CEO of Century City Property Limited. His estate sits on a 20-acre piece of land comprising 88 exquisite apartments.
Hooman’s estate won a prestigious global international award in 2015; the Best International Residential Development.
Mehraz Ehsani – Tribe Hotel Architect
Hamed’s brother, Mehraz Ehsani, is the designer of the five-star Tribe Hotel in Nairobi.
The hotel is renowned for its exquisite collection of African art and decor and its history of hosting numerous high-profile guests, including Hollywood actress Angelina Jolie.
He is also the owner of Kenya’s most expensive private mansion located in Kitisuru. Back in 2014, the internet was abuzz with excitement over House No.12 Magnolia Hills, a luxurious mansion that was up for sale.
This magnificent property was initially valued at an impressive Sh. 600 million and left no stone unturned regarding opulence and grandeur.
The house boasts a fully equipped gym, as well as an interior and exterior jacuzzi, six en-suite bedrooms, and many other luxurious features.
With such a breathtaking display of extravagance, it’s no wonder that House No.12 Magnolia Hills captured people’s attention worldwide.