shopping malls Archives - Page 5 of 6

Beyond the CBD: Makati’s Century City

August 13, 2014August 13, 2014 by The Urban Roamer

Normally when one thinks of Makati, the mental image would pertain to the Central Business District area which happens to be the most well-known part of Makati. But that does not say it is the only part of Makati that is fully developed in an urban sense. In recent years, other parts of Makati are undergoing their own urban transformations as development in the city is moving beyond the CBD area.

One such neighborhood is the Poblacion-Bel-Air area north of the CBD. While it was originally, and still is, for the most part, conceived and developed as a sort-of suburban residential community, over the years, significant developments have been sprouting around the area. One such part of this village barangay is the site of the former International School-Manila, now known as a residential-commercial complex being developed called Century City.

image courtesy of the Century City website — Century City (courtesy of the Century City website)

The Mega Fashion Hall: Ice Skating Makes a Homecoming

August 10, 2014February 2, 2014 by The Urban Roamer

Back in the early days of the Urban Roamer, one of the early posts published in the site was a memoriam to the SM Megamall Ice Skating Rink. long considered as a landmark that put the mall and SM as a whole on the map. At that time, SM Megamall was undergoing what could be considered the early phase of its expansion as the Ice Skating Rink and the nearby Bowling area had to give way to more retailers who wish to set shop in the bustling mall.

For the next four years or so, SM Megamall has constantly expanded itself to as far as its property can accommodate, putting up the Atrium expansion, a carpark/office space building, and finally, the Mega Fashion Hall building.

The Mall of Willie

August 10, 2014January 25, 2014 by The Urban Roamer

If you were one of those who watched Willie Revillame during the past few years, even on a casual basis, there was no way you would not have known that mall he was always advertising. You know, the one that bears his name, the Wil Tower Mall, which actually opened last September 2013.

Technically, the mall is not exactly his as this mall was brought about by a joint venture between him and real estate firm Vista Land, which is owned by Revillame’s longtime friend and patron, former Senator Manny Villar. Another thing is that it is not just strictly a shopping mall but a commercial and residential complex of 42 floors and residential towers with the shopping mall as its base.

Some quick thoughts on mall security

August 10, 2014January 27, 2013 by The Urban Roamer

January 26, 2013 would have been just another busy Saturday at a mall as busy as SM Megamall with swarms of shoppers and visitors. Just then, a brazen robbery put the entire mall in lockdown.

As of this writing, investigation is still ongoing while the culprits are still at large. What is clear is that there seemed to be a lapse in security in the mall which allowed this crime to occur and put the people in peril.

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Unfortunately, this is not the first time unfortunate incidents happen in an SM mall. Back in 2011, there was a shooting incident in SM City San Fernando in Pampanga which claimed the lives of two minors. There were two other shooting incidents that occurred in the premises of an SM mall as well.

Yet, it puzzles the mind of the Urban Roamer as to why, despite all these incidents and all the earnings SM has made in its mall operations, SM still has not decided to beef up its security. They could at least invest in metal detectors and/or x-ray machines. They can afford to do so, but it seems they are too stingy to pay for these necessities to keep its shoppers a bit more safe.