Published: 12:07 AM, 29 October 2026
Losses compel Karnaphuli Garden City to close down
Karnaphuli Garden City, once one of the capital's upscale shopping malls, was located at the Shantinagar-Kakrail intersection in Dhaka. Opened in 1998, the shopping complex housed showrooms of well-known brands and shops selling clothing, shoes, cosmetics, and gift items. It also featured a food court and a garden.
Over time, however, the number of shoppers declined, and one store after another closed. Finally, unable to cope with sustained losses and operating expenses, the authorities shut down commercial operations at the mall on the first of this month.
Business owners familiar with the situation said Karnaphuli Garden City had gradually lost its commercial significance over more than a decade.
Disruptions to transportation during the construction of the Shantinagar Flyover, the business downturn during the COVID-19 pandemic, the relocation of established retailers, and a loss of customer confidence all contributed to the mall's decline.
The expansion of online shopping and its inability to compete with larger shopping malls also played a role.
The 20-story Karnaphuli Garden City building housed commercial operations on its first through third floors, while the upper floors were used for residential apartments.
When the mall opened, it had 198 shops. However, only 17 remained operational when its closure was announced. Most of the shops had shut down earlier because of a shortage of customers.
