SM Seaside City, Cebu's Future Attraction?

When it comes to the mall business, SM will always come into our mind especially with their iconic structures like the Megamall and the Mall of Asia in Metro Manila. Now they are bringing their ambitious plan to Cebu by constructing the biggest and the most futuristic mall in the Visayas, the SM Seaside City.

(Photo Credits: zerothreetwo.com)

We all love going to malls because we love to shop, dine, and unwind. Years before the malling phenomenon gained ground, I was already contented to go to Gaisano Main or Robinsons to buy what I want. I never realized that malls are being built every three to five years. In fact, Cebu has built new malls for the last five years and now the competition has gained ground as SM expanded its mall with its North Wing, Ayala Center Cebu has built up its former parking space into new mall real estate, and Robinsons Cebu has finished its Cybergate Mall. What's in the future for Cebu? New and bigger malls than we can ever imagine.

When it comes to the mall business, SM will always come into our mind especially with their iconic structures like the Megamall and the Mall of Asia in Metro Manila. Now they are bringing their ambitious plan to Cebu by constructing the biggest and the most futuristic mall in the Visayas, the SM Seaside City. Expected to rise in the South Reclamation area, the mall will soon kick-start development by boosting tourism and economic development. In this way, other mall operators will be forced to implement creative ideas of their own thereby creating a more vibrant malling culture in the city. With that in mind, I'm pretty sure Robinsons will have to work double time on their planned mall to compete with SM while Ayala Center is expected to develop an eco-friendly mall extension to compliment Terraces.

Groundbreaking for the SM Seaside City has already started and building the mall in the SRP would be a good idea as the developers plan to construct an iconic tower in the middle of the circular mall. In this way, shoppers will have the opportunity to see a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. Yachts and ocean-going vessels are expected to dock near the mall so that tourists can have a scenic tour of Cebu and drop by the mall for some shopping and fine dining. International brands and other mall boutiques that haven't made their businesses in Cebu will make their debut. I'm looking forward to see if Krispy Kreme or Carl's Jr. would have their business here soon!

Large condominiums and hotels will enclose the mall and developers also planned to build a church, school, and hospital near the mall complex too. Talk about real urban development! Just imagine how the aerial view would look like if you ride in a helicopter just above the area in two years time. There will be a park in the mall's outdoor area in the middle where the viewing tower stands. Aside from that, there is also a rooftop garden where shoppers can enjoy fresh air and the cool sea breeze.

The four-level, circular-shaped mall with have multiple anchors with a two-storey SM Department Store and SM Hypermart, 6 movie theaters (including an IMAX Theatre), an 18-lane SM Bowling and Amusement Center, and a large food court. The ice skating rink will have its comeback after it was scrapped out from SM City Cebu. I wonder if we can play a game of ice hockey. Unlike, the large globe that dominates the Mall of Asia entrance, the mall will have a large LED cube installation that looks like a giant Rubik's cube.

When I listen to SM's jingle "We've got it all for you," I can say that they are doing these developments for real. SM Seaside City is an eye candy attraction for foreign and local tourists as well as the people of Cebu. Can't wait for the second quarter of 2013.