When SM Seaside City Cebu opens on Friday, Nov. 27, Cebuanos will have a first look at the state-of-the-art, environmentally sustainable urban center on the waterfront of the new South Road Properties development in Cebu, the Philippines’ second largest city and a major tourism hub in the country.

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 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 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 SM Mall of Asia has Manila Bay and its glorious sunset as a picturesque backdrop.

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 the development of the SM Mall of Asia complex.  This is reminiscent of Spanish times when towns would be built around a church.

Just as 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-story 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.

What makes SM Seaside City Cebu a must see?

·         Its nautilus design concept inspired by the spiral shell with a pale pearly partition, which includes a series of expanding, concentric arcs.

·         The Cube.  Viewed from any angle, this sculptural piece consistently appears the same.  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.  This will be a welcome and much-needed break from the hustle and bustle of city life. It features diverse dining outlets situated among verdant trees and charming ponds.  Nestled among verdant foliage and soothing water features, The Sky Park will highlight installations by renowned Cebuano designer Kenneth Cobonpue when completed.

·         The Iconic Seaside Tower.  The 25-story tower has a roof deck, viewing deck and restaurants offering panoramic views of the entire city, while serving as a landmark of the Queen City of the South.

·         Global brands. SM Seaside City Cebu will raise shopping standards in the Queen City of the South as home to 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.

·         The best of Cebu.  Along with the global and national brands, SM Seaside City Cebu will also showcase homegrown brands like those from the Golden ABC Group, Penshoppe, Oxygen, ForMe, Memo, and Regatta; as well as Island Souvenirs and Loalde.  Foodies will also enjoy well-loved cuisine from Café Laguna, Kuya J, Harbour City, Majestic, Golden Cowrie and Bo’s Coffee, among others.

Keeping with the nautilus-inspired theme, the mall’s car park will be incorporated into the structure, helping to define the semi-circular volume of the building.  For customer convenience, there will be a covered parking area with 4,336 slots.

SM Seaside City Cebu’s design team includes Arquitectonica, design architect; Gardens by Sanders, landscape design; W.V. Coscolluela, achitect of record; SM EDD Mall Design, in-house architect; Monolith Construction, general contractor; and DA Abcede, project manager.