(The Philippine Star) | Updated May 28, 2016 -
12:00am
Architect’s perspective and
aerial view of the expanded SM Mall of Asia. (Photo courtesy of SM Supermalls)
MANILA, Philippines - The
Sy family’s 60-hectare SM Mall of Asia is expanding into one of the world’s
largest mall on the occasion of its 10th anniversary.
MOA will add about 250,000
square meters to its floor area, spanning a total of over 650,000 square
meters, which will count as one of the largest in the world, a fitting
milestone to a mall that has touched the lives of millions in the last 10
years, the SM Group said yesterday.
As part of its expansion,
the company is embarking on a major redevelopment of the mall, which SM and SM
Prime chairman Henry Sy once dubbed as the greatest project of his life.
There will be an
Olympic-size skating rink which will be on the third floor is targeted to be
ready by the end of the year.
A food hall, dolled up with
designer furniture in tune with the mall’s modern look, will also open on the
third level.
New brands are also set to
come in including Swedish clothing giant H&M, which is slated to introduce
a 3,000 square meter flagship store.
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Furthermore, as part of the
redevelopment, the mall will also have a “warmer” look and feel, according to
Steven Tan, aenior vice president for SM Supermalls.
He said the interior would
adopt a different color scheme and introduce wooden panels.
The mall also recently
unveiled a “solar carpark” which was visited recently by no less than
environment advocate and former US Vice President Al Gore.
The 2.7 megawatt MOA solar
carpark is in partnership with Solar Philippines and is nearly twice the size
of the 1.5 MW SM North Edsa Solar Carpark.
To add to the developments,
the SM Group will also put up Conrad Manila, SM Prime’s deluxe hotel which is set to open in June
this year with a new retail podium called S’Maison.
Another latest development,
the Manila-Acapulco Galleon Museum is taking shape which will give visitors a
unique experience in learning the history of the 250-year old global trade
route where the Philippines and Mexico played major roles. The museum will highlight
the galleon trade’s impact on today’s commerce, banking, travel, and cultural
exchange. — Iris Gonzales
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