Believe me, it rocks well!

The hippest and happiest shopping and dining destination in the metro truly rocks well!

If it’s sartorial elegance and epicurean delight that you’re craving for, look not very far because premiere developer Rockwell Land Corp. infuses a breath of fresh air into the city. The introduction of Archaeology @ Power Plant and Block 09 proves that Rockwell’s take on retail business and dining pleasure is unique as it is sustainable.

“Rockwell Land’s concept of retail is unique in so many ways. Power Plant pioneered and gave meaning to ‘lifestyle’ shopping allowing customers to experience a truly unique sense of shopping pleasure when all others offered just big box and had no choice at all,” says Nestor Ignacio, Rockwell Land’s vice president for technical services.

Where shopping satisfaction is at a fever pitch, let Archaeology, the newest wing of Power Plant, take you by surprise. Every turn here is a new discovery. Every discovery is a new journey. Every journey becomes a shopping saga because this haven features an array of unique stores that showcases fabulous clothes and quirky accessories. Archaeology derives its name from the idea that shoppers may discover their own personal individual style from the section’s wide range of choices. The shoppers are definitely the archaeologists here, as they dig deeper into the elegantly laid-out stores, they discover themselves anew with what they unearth from Archaeology.

“Archaeology is all about discovering new and unique special pieces you can put together. Here is the home of emerging young designers and young entrepreneurs. We would like this area to showcase our young local talents. This is a place where you can also discover and come up with your own personal individual style. The mainstream brands are located in the main hall while in Archaeology you will find mostly not mass produced fashion pieces,” says Malou Pineda, Rockwell’s assistant vice president for retail marketing.

Adds Ignacio: “It is also a rebirth defining another level of shopping ‘high.’ Retail is all about experience, it is dynamic and sensual. (At Archaeology) the stark contrast of the new interiors from the existing signals a shift to a more sophisticated preference and maturing taste not only of the shoppers but also of the retailers. The palette of earth colors — shades of beige and browns — provides a smooth shift from natural quarry stone colors. All these said, the high quality of stores remained.”

And this is how well-dressed Archaeology stores are, in alphabetical order: Analog Soul, Anthology (my favorite, not because it is owned by Allure creative director Luis Espiritu Jr. and beauty columnist Chechel Joson and their friends who are also stylists, Millet Arzaga and Noel Manapat, but because everything they have in their store is a conversation piece; be it a very interesting polo, a classy headband or a makeup box that can hold a storm.), Aranaz (if I were a girl, I would definitely use Amina Aranaz-Alunan’s feathered and coco-beaded bags), camadiV, Color Stone, Cru, David & Goliath, Details, Dressing Room, Evita Peroni, Graxie, Grey One Social, Hot Pink, Ilaya Couture, Irene’s Closet, Luca, Madison, Marni’s Room, Maud, Mimi, Pilar, Ruth & Esther, Sapato Manila, Swim, Team Manila, T-Box and Tru. (Did I mention that there’s also a classy branch of National Bookstore at Archaeology?)

Whether you’re a hardcore diva, a fashionista, a society doyenne, a career maker, a corporate mover or shaker, or a lost bohemian, there will always be a thrill of discovering something new at Archaeology.

Where shopping is in full attention, dining, too, rises to the occasion. Welcome to Rockwell’s Block 09, an exciting array of dining attractions which is becoming the favorite meeting place, chill-out target, brunch and dinner venue for the chic and stylish set. It is literally just a stone’s throw away from Power Plant.

“Block 09 is really all about experience. The restaurants are actually available elsewhere but because of the tropical lush landscaping and water features in the area, it brings a sense of calm and freshness in dining or gathering with friends,” says Pineda.

Indeed, part of the development’s tempting and compelling appeal is its picturesque landscape, making it a sanctuary for urban warriors seeking refuge from the concrete jungle city. Here is a patch of green, dotted by postcard-pretty palm trees and complemented by a pond teeming with kois. Now, chill out!

“Rockwell strengthened its retail brand by staying focused on the customer experience. It chose to stay unique with its resort-like feel and architecture where the shades of browns and greens, the outdoor and indoor overlap endlessly in the transparency of full height glass storefront. Its warm tropical landscape is everyone’s refuge from everyday busy modern life. The way the structures were planned and positioned on site had its own set of uniqueness from being functional, visual and thematic,” explains Ignacio.

So, at Block 09, the palate is king, whether for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Take your pick from Pancake House to Starbucks Coffee, from UCC Coffee Café Terrace to Gram’s Diner, from Good Earth’s Roasts to Cantinetta.

From morning to evening. From shopping to dining. It’s all worth the trip for Archaeology @ Power Plant and Block 09 truly rock well.

 (E-mail the author at bumbaki@yahoo.com.)