RESIDENTS of Olongapo and Zambales can now look forward to enjoy much more than shopping as SM City Olongapo Central opened its doors to the public on Friday, September 13, along Rizal Avenue at the heart of the city’s bustling business district.
Combining innovative retail, integrated architecture, and green spaces, the four level 71,943 square meter mall will serve shoppers in Olongapo, Zambales, Bataan, and other nearby provinces. It is SM Prime Holding’s 73rd mall and it is the second mall in Olongapo after SM City Olongapo Downtown.
SM City Olongapo Central’s exteriors are sophisticated and bold in modular patterns in neutral colors. The soaring walls of glass, shaded arcades, terraced planters, extended green walls, and mosaic pavement tiles are bringing texture, scale, unity, and life to the area.
The entire mall is organized along a gently curving hallway with several atrium views toward different levels in distinct accent colors. The top level is illuminated with sufficient daylight with an expansive skylight. It is also generously planned to house a variety of events including fashion shows, concerts, exhibits, and more.
The SM Store and SM Supermarket are SM City Olongapo Central’s major anchors, along with SM mainstays like the SM Appliance Center, ACE Hardware, Our Home, Watsons, Surplus, Sports Central, as well as global brands Uniqlo and Miniso. It also has fashion boutiques including H&M, Mango, and Guess; shoe stores, sports stores, jewelry stores, bookstores, and IT stores. A Cyberzone features the latest IT and electronic goods.
Eating out options include a Food Court, as well as popular local and international food fast food chains, coffee shops like Starbucks, bakeries like Breadtalk, and specialty restaurants like Cabalen, Ramen Nagi, and Mesa. Of particular interest is a double level restaurant row overlooking the Boulevard, the parks beyond, and the Bajac Bajac River through full-height walls of glass.
SM City Olongapo Central also has banks, wellness areas, and amusement centers for kids of all ages.
The covered parking is located at the south end of the site in a four-level building with 759 slots for customer convenience. The carpark is designed to include a 4th level for the 4,357square meter Convention Center, which provides luxurious function space for balls, meetings, concerts, and other major business, social, cultural, and educational events. In addition, future tennis courts will be provided in the roof.
SM City Olongapo Central’s design team includes DSGN, foreign Design Architect; Jose Siao Ling and Associates, Architect on Record, DA Abcede and Associates, Construction Manager, and Dahn Berger Phils., Construction Group, General Contractor. (PR)