Plazuela de Iloilo excites the Ilonggo mallrats

I was about to go home yesterday when all of a sudden I just decided to drop by the still unfinished Plazuela de Iloilo. A month ago it had its soft opening with a few locators open but now, though works are still going on, it has quite created a buzz among Ilonggos.

From the architecture and the press releases it had, it showcased it Spanish theme maybe as a reminder that Iloilo was the last Spanish bastion in the country. The name of the mall itself, Plazuela shows obvious reference plus its main activity area is known as Plaza Mayor.

A new concept of malling in the city as opposed to the usual box typed malls and very compact malls, Plazuela de Iloilo makes malling a leisure. It echoes Iloilo’s way of life – not so hurried despite the hustle and bustle of city life. Compared to the adjacent mall, SM City Iloilo, Plazuela is really very spacious – in fact my first impression is it’s actually a waste of space – lol.

But a beautiful one – it could be the next most photogenic places in the city when it’s completely finished. While other malls fill up every crack and nook of space for retail, Plazuela has lots to show. Though I can’t be sure how it wills look and feel when its 100% filled up but still its al fresco motif creates and illusion of space.

When I got there yesterday, it had its first event at the Plaza Mayor – the graduation rites of a certain culinary school. Right timing it would seem as they activity center also hosts a 15-day food festival and a bazaar. In tune with the season, the center of the plaza had a giant Christmas tree – the biggest Iloilo City have ever scene.

The back portion of Plazuela has two pocket gardens; on both sides of the Plaza Mayor and further more is the vast parking area. Its color scheme hides the fact that you’re already in the backside as it is still as attractive as the front – actually I find the back portion more engaging.

Among the locators that are already open for business are Padi’s Point, Sony Centre, R. Florete Jewellery, Queenbank, Little Martians and a host of food stalls. Soon to open are Peppy Thai Deli, Deco’s La Paz Batchoy, Hamada Japanese Restaurant, Red Corner by HongKong Kitchen, Al Dente, ICenter – An Apple Concept Store, Rose Pharmacy, Cebu Pacific Ticketing and a lotto outlet to name a few.

Plazuela indeed had raised the standards of malling in Iloilo City by way of architecture and maybe tenant quality. It also has given Iloilo City a sort of preview of what to expect with the development of the old Iloilo airport by Megaworld Properties. Surely the district of Mandurriao has positioned itself as the new Central Business District as it houses the new breed of shopping, fun and entertainment in Iloilo City.

More Plazuela de Iloilo photos

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FLAVOURS OF ILOILO

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