Greenfield’s EDSA Central gets makeover

When EDSA Central opened in ’70s, it pioneered the concept of a "midway mall" where travelers who commuted to their offices from their homes could make a convenient shop before completing their journey. The shopping complex was accessible to the public – literally, since the establishment was not ‘out-of-the-way’ as it was built where people actually converged daily, and figuratively, because it offered value shopping and entertainment to a broad market.

Two decades later, newer, sleeker malls have mushroomed in the area and new generations of shoppers have been bred. The good ol’ emporium at the crossing is now ripe for change. This yearend, EDSA Central is beginning a new, exciting phase: the eight-hectare development has undergone a major makeover that will showcase the newly renovated EDSA Central Station Mall; a wet market to service subdivisions in the Mandaluyong district; a spruced up Jeepney Park and the latest addition to the center, the EDSA Central Bazaar.

The EDSA Central was built and is being managed by one of the country’s leading real estate developers, Greenfield Development Corp. at a time when the area consisted of patches of cogonal lands and a few office buildings, the shopping plaza at the corner of Shaw Blvd. and EDSA became a city landmark as thousands of people passed by the area for their daily commute. Today, even if the new EDSA Central is no longer Mandaluyong’s only commercial and entertainment capital, it’s loyalists, as well as new generation shoppers can expect to be treated to a pleasurable shopping experience.

Air-conditioned boutiques will be housed at the new EDSA Central Mall to give shoppers more choices: There’s the global sports brand Nike, Dickies fashion label for the young and the hip, Wrangler, Otto Shoes, Bench and more specialty shops. More than 3,000 square meter of space on the second level will be appropriated for the fastfood area where diners can enjoy delicious and satisfying snacks and entrees. Those who prefer an al fresco setting can have a meal at the food court’s balcony that looks out over the entire EDSA Central Complex.

The Jeepney Park is an open-air commercial strip to serve as an oasis for tired travelers. It can now accommodate more fleets of public jeepneys, buses and FX taxis, aside from fastfood outlets, service centers and shops that offer items at bargain-basement prices. The wet market, which is the only one of its kind in the business district, is where residents of nearby villages and subdivisions can go to buy fresh provisions. Reinforced frosted glass windows, curved high ceilings, and a fountain lend an expansive, airy feel to the new mall. Bridges and walkways interconnect spaces inside the mall and provide a link to the MRT.