MANILA, Philippines – Gokongwei-owned Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) is undergoing an expansion program for Robinsons Place in Bacolod in line with its strategy to step up its presence in the Visayas, a ranking company executive said.
The expansion will involve the construction of a new one-level shopping and dining destination to provide an additional 6,000 square meters to the shopping mall’s existing gross floor area of 48,500 square meters.
Construction is targeted for completion by early next year and the additional complex is slated to be fully operational in the second quarter of 2011.
“Robinsons Place Bacolod remains as one of the most lucrative and successful malls in the region and this expansion is meant to ensure that it remains that way by keeping pace with the growth and changes in the community,” said Lourdes T. Alano, RLC vice-president for lease.
She said the new area will have a park-like set-up with lighted pathways surrounded by well-landscaped gardens with five clusters of commercial spaces consisting of lifestyle stores and mid-to high-end alfresco restaurants.
The first cluster will be an expansion of the Robinsons Department Store while the second and fourth clusters will feature fashion boutiques, amusement outlets and specialty food restaurants. The third cluster will house more restaurants and specialty services while the fifth cluster will feature various lifestyle options.
Robinsons Place Bacolod, home to over 90 tenants, recently underwent renovation which included mall improvements, food court redevelopment, expansion of Robinsons Appliances and Robinsons Handyman, and the opening of Toys R’ Us.
Aside from alfresco dining, other unique features in the expanded mall are an outdoor activity area that will serve as venue for concerts and events, as well as a Blue Water Plaza featuring water jets that will allow visitors to frolic in the water.
“For Robinsons Place Bacolod to stay ahead of its game, it will be growing with the community. It is part of Robinsons Land’s commitment, to be with the community in this period of growth,” said Alano.
Aside from Robinsons Place Bacolod, RLC has four other full-service malls in the Visayas — Robinsons Place Dumaguete, Robinsons Place Iloilo, Robinsons Place Cebu and Robinsons Place Tacloban.
RLC also has two Robinsons IT sites in the Visayas: Robinsons Cybergate Bacolod and Robinsons Cybergate Cebu.