Mindanao’s biggest mall soon to open

Debbie A. Go, SM Supermalls assistant vice-president for Mindanao, said the new mall, which stands on a 10-hectare land, is part of a mixed-use project, with about 180 of the 273 spaces already taken.

“SM Prime Holdings have different categories of malls because there are (smaller) Super Centers, then the City concept (like SM City Davao). The Premier brand is at the higher level with more complete (offerings),” Ms. Go said in a media briefing on Monday.

The new mall, located on a lot along J. P. Laurel Avenue acquired a couple of years back from the Dakudao family, is about four kilometers north of downtown and has the same street address as Abreeza Mall, Victoria Plaza Mall, Gaisano Mall of Davao, and Robinson’s Cybergate.

“In terms of facilities, we are not only shopping and dining. We are entertainment also,” Ms. Go said, pointing out that the Sy-led company has already spent about P2 billion for the development of the four-storey mall, which has an SMX Convention Center.

The mall has a total area of about 144,000 square meters (sq. m.) with about 83,000 sq. m. up for lease.

The first SM City Davao on the other side of this city’s downtown opened in late 2001 with a little less than 80,000 sq. m. but was expanded last year with an additional 50,000 sq. m.

The first floor of SM Lanang Premiere will house establishments engaged in services, while the second floor will host shops for local and foreign brands. This floor will have a 122-meter dancing fountain, said Therese T. Lapena, mall manager.

The third floor will be for restaurants. “We will have the best food concepts,” claimed Ms. Lapena, former mall manager of SM Mall of Asia, as she pointed out that for some locators, it will be the first time to operate in the city. Also located on the third floor will be the five regular cinemas, show venue “Center Stage,” and a 466-seat IMAX theater.

There will also be a bridge way between the mall and Radisson Hotel, a 204-room business hotel scheduled to open in February next year, Ms. Lapena said.

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