RLC opens expanded Tacloban mall
Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), the property development arm of the Gokongwei group, is opening the expansion of Robinsons Place Tacloban as the city continues its road to progress just two years after the of Typhoon Yolanda.
“This expansion is a testament to the resilience and positive energy of the Taclobanons as they not only recover but thrive after the devastation wrought by Yolanda,” said RLC President Frederick D. Go.
Go said the expansion includes a new mall wing that boosts its size by about 50 percent as well as a Summit Hotel, the second hotel in the complex, which caters to the MICE (meetings, incentives, conferencing, exhibitions) market.
“Due to the growing economy of Tacloban City, we have created additional space for more upscale shopping and dining options as well as more venues for entertainment,” he noted.
The expansion called for the construction of an extension mall at the back of the existing mall. This includes the expansion of Robinsons Supermarket and the two-story Robinsons Department Store.
“There will be bigger reasons to enjoy grocery shopping at Robinsons Supermarket as 1,300 square meters are added to its current size of 3,608 sqm. With its expansion, Robinsons Supermarket will be unveiling a fresher and greener look,” said Go.
The expansion mall has one additional level (3-storys) which provides two extra cinemas with a total of 540 seats, tenants and an amusement area. Aside from the amusement area, Robinsons has also tripled the capacity of its activity area.
There is also an al fresco dining area which connects to the Summit Hotel which will open later this year. Also added into the mall is the 855 square meter Lingkod Pinoy center which serves as a one-stop-shop for various government services for the convenience of mall goers.
In total, the expansion mall has a gross floor area of 22,500 square meters and a gross leasable area of 14,750 sqm. The original mall had 33,000 sqm in 2009 and was expanded by 10,000 square meters in the first expansion in 2011.
Meanwhile, the Summit Hotel will have more than 130 rooms and suites with twin and king-sized beds. This will complement Go Hotels Tacloban which has 98 rooms and is one of the chain’s best performing branches in the Visayas.