CEBU, Philippines - Cebu's economic standing can be described as one that is continuously booming, what with the many developments that have recently been and are happening across the metropolis.
On November 27, SM Seaside City Cebu proved a point that Cebu's purchasing capacity is developing with the Cebuanos' fondness for the finer things in life.
As such, it doesn't come as strange that SM Prime Holdings' third mall in the province features a number of first-in-Cebu highlights which includes two "Directors' Club Cinemas," the first cinema in Southeast Asia to operate with a laser 3D projector and an Olympic-size ice skating rink, among others.
With a design inspired by the concentric arcs of the nautilus shell, the 5-level shopping and lifestyle complex is situated along the Mambaling Road at the South Road Properties (SRP) development. The mall complex proper covers an area of 470, 490 square meters.
The mall complex has a leasing portfolio that can accommodate over 400 food and retail shops. A bevy of local and international fashion brands, entertainment centers, specialized consumer technology stores, dining venues, and service hubs have and are gearing up to open in the mall.
SM Seaside is the first of many developments that's part of SM Prime Holdings' master plan for its 30-hectare location at the SRP. When completed, the area is envisioned to include residential towers, hotels, a convention and exhibition center, a school and a hospital.
SM Seaside is divided into four parts: the "Mountain Wing" (which has popularly been referred to as the mall's main foyer area), the "City Wing," the "Seaview Wing" and the "Cube Wing." The sections are named after the sides it face, with the mall complex's center as primary anchor point.
Given the breadth and dimension of SM Seaside, the development has been compared to that of the SM Mall of Asia, as both are situated facing a waterfront - the Manila Bay for the Mall of Asia complex, and the Mactan Channel for SM Seaside City.
It's worth noting that prior to the SM Mall of Asia's completion, the Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth and the Life was completed first. For SM Seaside City Cebu, it's the Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod that preceded the completion of the mall.
Though the shopping and lifestyle complex's retail and service venues are run by different proprietors, they are one in adhering to the future-forward vision that led to the development of SM Seaside City: to be above all else with the Queen City of the South.