It’s all grand at new SM City Grand Central
It’s another date with history in Caloocan—where the members of the Katipunan made the “Unang Sigaw” that served as the starting point for the Philippine Revolution—last 26 November when SM City Grand Central opened its doors. This is SM Prime Holdings Inc.’s 78th supermall and second SM mall in Caloocan after SM Center Sangandaan in 2015.
Caloocan today is a first class and highly urbanized city, the fourth most populous in the Philippines. It is among the top cities in the Philippines with highest equity ratings due to infrastructure, transportation, communications system and educational attainment of human resources. The city continues to enjoy rapid economic growth today from new waves of investors coming in including shopping malls.
Strategically located in a 22,901.80 square-meter site along Rizal Ave Ext.,
corner Bustamante Street in Caloocan City, SM City Grand Central will serve shoppers in Caloocan, as well as those from other parts of the CaMaNaVa subregion — Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela; Manila, and Quezon City. More than that, it will be a catalyst for employment and business opportunities in the area.
The six-level mall 116,000 square meter mall is a destination to everything grand. A series of dynamic geometric forms creates a bold backdrop that emphasizes a strong street presence. The random, vertical pattern provides a playful touch further enhancing the main elevation with dynamic flair. Colors are bold and powerful, strategically applied to enhance the grand, impressive building frontage.
The interiors of SM City Grand Central are organized around a large, curved atrium and a perpendicular mall corridor that intersect to create a clear line-of-sight to all shops on all levels at all times. Carefully placed bridges provide access to all portions of the mall, supplemented by a centrally located glass elevator, dynamic stairs, and elevators for optimal customer convenience.
The main interior features a sophisticated, modern palette of colors and materials with light gray and wood accents. Pops of color are provided through planting and seating. Large skylights above the main atrium and wrap-around clerestory provide glare-free daylight to all areas of the mall.
The SM Store and SM Supermarket are SM City Grand Central’s major anchors along with SM Appliance Center, ACE hardware, Our Home and Watsons, among others. SM City Grand Central will also have four state of the art cinemas and two Director’s Clubs that offer a premium movie experience, leather recliners, and a crystal-clear laser projection system.
The top floor of SM City Grand Central features the Skylight Park, an indoor sky garden with open green spaces. Shops and restaurants line the curved, circular paths where customers can shop and dine while enjoying the Skylight Park ambiance. A Chapel and Multi-Purpose space bookend and anchor additional green space. These spaces are designed as complements to the overall concept and further enhance its unique and grand character.
For the customer’s convenience and enhanced malling experience, SM City Grand Central has a total of 700 parking slots including regular car slots, PWD car slots and motorcycle slots.
SM City Grand Central’s project team includes DSGN & Associates, Design Consultant; WCY Architects, Architect-of-Record; Constech Management Group Inc., Project Management; and Monolith Construction Development Corp., General Contractor.