City Market is one of Nairobi CBD’s most character-rich landmarks—an indoor trading hall built in the early 1930s and widely cited as completed in 1930, celebrated for its modernist structure and distinctive Art Deco detailing. Architecturally, the market’s most striking feature is the soaring central hall: a dramatic, hangar-like volume defined by broad spans and a vaulted ceiling that floods the interior with light. It is the kind of civic building that still feels ambitious today—designed to move crowds, keep commerce orderly, and create an unmistakable sense of place in the middle of the city. Operationally, City Market is two experiences in one. The central sections are best known for curios—rows of stalls selling Maasai-inspired beadwork, wood carvings, textiles, and souvenir pieces—while other parts of the building continue to function as a working market with meat and fish sections serving everyday Nairobi shoppers. For visitors, the best way to enjoy City Market is to go with a clear plan: browse the curio lanes first, then step into the food sections if you want the full “real market” feel. Mornings are typically calmer, bargaining is common for crafts, and it helps to carry smaller notes for smoother transactions—while also asking before photographing vendors or merchandise, especially in busy aisles.
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