An artist’s rendition of SM Seaside City Cebu a 5-level, circular-shaped, world-class retail mall with a nautilus inspired design will be one of the first developments to open in SM Prime’s masterplan at the South Road Properties (SRP) area. Illustration courtesy of SM.
If Cebu’s airports seem to be especially busy this week, it’s because businessmen, key players in the retail industry are flocking to Queen City of the South for the opening of SM Seaside City on Friday, November 27. The mega structure will carry state-of-the art features and showcase its environmentally sustainable architecture at the new South Road Properties development in the country’s second largest city and major tourism hub.
Located on a 93,570 square meter site, the 470,490 square meter mall is SM Prime Holdings’ 56th mall and the third in the Queen City of the South, after SM City Cebu and SM City Consolacion. SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City has a total area of 407,101 square meters, making SM Seaside City Cebu as among the top four biggest malls in the Philippines, including other SM properties like SM North Edsa (with a gross leasable area of 482,878 square meters) and SM Megamall (with 506,435 square metres as gross leasable area).
Artist’s rendition of SM Seaside City Cebu. The property is part of a sprawling 30-hectare development in the city. When completed the SM Seaside City Cebu Complex will include a five-star hotel with a convention center, high –rise office and residential buildings, and an event center. Artist’s rendition courtesy of SM.
SM Seaside City Cebu is one of the first developments in the master plan of SM Prime Holdings for their 30- hectare space at the South Road Properties (SRP), a prime property development project on reclaimed land located a few meters from Cebu’s central business district.
Designed by Arquitectonica, an international architecture, interior design, and planning firm from Miami, Florida, this grand first of its kind urban development at the SRP will be a landmark in the region, transforming the way people live, work and play in this community. When completed, the complex will include residential towers, hotels, a convention and exhibition center, a school, and hospital.
The development has been compared to that of the SM Mall of Asia, which has been envisioned to be the destination mall in the Asia Pacific region. Both are located beside the waterfront: SM Seaside City Cebu has a spectacular view of the Cebu Channel, just as the SM Mall of Asia has Manila Bay and its glorious sunset as a picturesque backdrop.
The Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod was the first structure in the SM Seaside Complex. Photo courtesy of SM.
Similarly, the Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod was the first structure to open at SM Seaside, just as the Shrine of Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life paved the way for development of the SM Mall of Asia complex. This is reminiscent of Spanish times when towns would be built around a church.
Just as the SM Mall of Asia has the Globe as its iconic landmark, SM Seaside City Cebu has the Cube, a steel 21- meter by 21 meter sculptural piece that is a symbol of strength and stability. It is a tribute to the resilience of the Cebuanos in particular and the Filipino people in general.
With its nautilus inspired design of expanding, concentric arcs from a central multi purpose space, the mall will have multiple anchors, including a two-storey SM Store, as well as an SM Hypermarket and SM mainstays like SM Appliance Center, ACE Hardware Watsons, Our Home, Kultura Filipino, Toy Kingdom, Surplus, and Sports Central. It will have over 400 food and retail shops, including international brands.
Eating out options include specialty restaurants, international and local food chains, as well as a Food Court. Cebuanos will enjoy the leisure and entertainment excitement of an IMAX Theater, a 16-lane Bowling and Amusement Center, and an Olympic size ice skating rink. It will also have four state of the art cinemas, two Director’s Clubs, and one live theater.
SM Seaside City Cebu will have five levels featuring global brands, top local retail groups, as well as homegrown Cebuano lifestyle companies. Artist’s rendition courtesy of SM.
World-class features
Built with a nautilus design concept, SM Seaside City Cebu is inspired by the spiral shell with a pale pearly partition. The architecture includes a series of expanding, concentric arcs.
The Cube, an outdoor sculptural piece, can be viewed at various points but with the same angle consistently appearing each time. This consistency reflects the philosophy same high level of quality service in all areas it operates. Interestingly, the words Cube, when re-arranged form the word Cebu.
The Sky Park, which will have various kiosks and cafe, is set with a lush garden and soothing water fountains. Its centerpiece will be an installations by renowned Cebuano designer Kenneth Cobonpue once the area is completed.
The Iconic Seaside Tower is a 25-storey building with a roof deck, viewing deck, and restaurants, offering an impressive panoramic views of Cebu City.
Best of Cebu..and the globe
The Cube, a steel sculpture, symbolizes the Cebuano’s strength and resilience. It is envisioned to be an iconic landmark at SM Seaside City Cebu, in the same manner that the Globe has become an iconic landmark at SM Mall of Asia.
Positioning itself as a dominant shopping destination in the region, SM Seaside City Cebu will be offering major global brands like Sweden’s H&M, Japan’s Uniqlo, US based Forever 21, Spain’s Sfera, and the UK’s The Body Shop.
Successful Cebuano homegrown brands familiar across the country will also be opening at this major urban hub. Among these are Golden ABC Group, Penshoppe, Oxygen, Forme, Memo, and Regatta; as well as Island Souvenirs and Loalde.
Popular Metro Manila restaurants like Café Laguna, Kuya J, Harbour City, Majestic, Golden Cowrie, and Bo’s Coffee, among others will be opening on Friday as well.
Parking will not be a problem as 4, 336 slots will be available to customers.
SM Seaside City Cebu’s design team includes Arquitectonica, Design Architect; Gardens by Sanders, Landscape Design; W.V. Coscuella, Achitect of Record; SM EDD Mall Design, In-House Architect; Monolith Construction, General Contractor; and DA Abcede, Project Manager.