SM Seaside City set to change Cebu landscape
April 18, 2011, 3:58pm SM Seaside City-Cebu will be one of the first developments in the masterplan of SM Properties for their 304,100 sqm site, which stretches from the northern part of the SRP to the sea (AP) CEBU, Philippines — As the city of Cebu thrives and its economy flourishes, SM Supermalls, the country’s largest chain of malls, puts their vote of confidence in the city’s growth potential by developing what will become a major new landmark at their South Road Properties (SRP) site. A new mall, aptly called SM Seaside City Cebu, will be one of the first developments in the masterplan of SM Properties for their 304,100-sqm site, which stretches from the northern part of the SRP to the sea. Designed by Arquitectonica, an international architecture, interior design and planning firm from Miami, Florida, the grand, first-of-its-kind urban development at the SRP will change the landscape of the city with its nautilus-inspired design of expanding, concentric arcs from a central multi-purpose space. A large church – a sleek, modern all-white structure nestled among lush foliage – will be the first to be built and completed in the SM SRP complex. Hotels, a conference and convention center, residential buildings and community facilities will follow, and will be designed to span out from the SM Seaside City Cebu mall, which will be located at the center of the entire development. The mall will be interconnected with these other structures through elevated walkways. With a lot area of 93,570 sqm and a gross floor area of 291,043 sqm, SM Seaside City Cebu will combine modern design with green architecture initiatives. A 100-meter Iconic Viewing Tower will give one a breathtaking view of the Queen City of the South, while a Cube inspired by the Globe of the SM Mall of Asia will have dazzling LED lights to welcome visitors with visual drama. These will serve as the mall’s landmarks, as will the Roof Garden, a 23,442-sqm elevated park with dining establishments among verdant foliage and soothing water features. This four-level circular-shaped, world-class retail mall will have multiple anchors, including a two-story SM Department Store and SM Hypermart, a five-theater Cineplex and IMAX Theatre, an 18-lane SM Bowling and Amusement Center, and a food court flanking an ice skating rink. In addition, the mall will have over 800 food and retail shops, including interhigher floors. On the third floor, these outlets will have verandas facing the garden below while the fourth floor will national brands. Retail shops will occupy the outer arc of the mall on the ground floor. This area will include a furniture zone as well as a fashion boulevard to showcase the talent of Cebu’s many local designers. Numerous new wining and dining outlets will face an inner circular garden, increasing in number as shoppers proceed to the have restaurants and bars on the outer circuit of the circle with verandas on the north side of the mall looking out to the sea. The mall will also have a covered event area for concerts and shows at the fourth floor as well as a roof garden with ponds and trees, and restaurants to enjoy the beauty of the greens. Keeping with the nautilus-inspired theme, the mall’s car park will be incorporated into the structure, helping to define the semi-circular volume of the building. The mall’s layout induces traffic to flow inwards and upwards. The second-level garden has a drop-off area for private vehicles whereas public vehicles will have their own transport interchange at the ground level with different areas dedicated to taxis, public utilities and buses. The retail and food outlets at the ground level will be easily accessible to the riding public while service and delivery bays for tenants and SM anchors are set aside at strategic areas. SM Seaside City Cebu will be one of the first establishments to create an address in this district of metro Cebu, and will pave the way for development in the area. |