Life in style unveiled at Madison Square malls

The Western concept of "strip malls," or community-based low-rise commercial complexes like Madison Square located in Ortigas Avenue and Wilson Street (San Juan), and Libis (Quezon City), has become the Filipino’s alternative hangout place to imposing malls that have gobbled the cityscape.

High-rise malls serve as an ideal backdrop for the evolving cosmopolitan life today because of the one-stop convenience they offer. However, the public also clamors for a new type of similarly accessible structures where their innate sense of community is not undermined.

Strip malls are an answer to our oftentimes stressful malling experience," relates Cheryl Torres, marketing and franchise manager of Dual Star Corp., a pioneering realty firm that develops and manages the Madison Square strip malls.

"Many of us on the go prefer to visit a nearby strip mall that caters to our everyday needs, and where parking is ample, than to go to overcrowded malls," says Torres.

Just like its burgeoning counterparts in the United States and European countries, Madison Squares malls are two- and three-floor commercial complexes that house various food establishments, bars, photo studios, banks, facial centers, beauty salons, medical and dental clinics, a décor shop, and an ink refill station.

The neighborhoods where the Madison Square malls are sited warmly welcome the idea of a less crowded and friendly place to chill out with their family and friends, evidently a breath of fresh air from your usual mall," articulates Torres.

Designed with chic, aesthetic and modern architectural sense and function, the very first Madison Square was founded in 1999 in Wilson Street, Greenhills. It was then called Elite Center. The overwhelming market acceptance to the business concept has inspired the pioneer of strip malls in the Philippines to eventually branch out to Libis and Ortigas Districts.

Aside from its modern design, Madison Square provides as well-lighted façade, sufficient parking space with valet services, and all-glass frontage for maximum exposure and visibility of the stores.

"Unlike in huge malls, patrons of Madison Square are distinguished for their no-nonsense attitude and disciplined use of time. Visitors of the strip malls usually come to the establishment with purpose in mind and not to stroll around and simply kill time," observes Torres.

(For inquiries on the Madison Square franchise, you may contact Cheryl Torres at 727-2578, 722-2237 or 727-8593. You can also send email inquiries at inquiry@ madisonsquare.com.ph.)