The massive shopping complex that was once intended to be the world's largest
In short: Spanning 16 hectares of reclaimed land, the SM Mall of Asia is a titan of Philippine retail. But its journey from a 1995 blueprint to a global landmark was marked by economic delays, structural scares, and ambitious architectural shifts.
The origins of the SM Mall of Asia date back to 1995, with construction originally slated to begin in January 1996. The project was initially marketed with the grand ambition of becoming the largest shopping mall in the world. However, a weak national economy forced a reduction in scale and significant delays, with construction not actually commencing until 2002. The development was part of a broader vision by Henry Sy to establish a landmark within Metro Manila. This expansion eventually grew into a 67-hectare mixed-use development within the Central Business Park.
The mall's path to its May 21, 2006, opening was not without controversy. A scheduled March inauguration was postponed after Pasay city engineers reported large cracks beneath the structure that caused vibrations, though the city's engineering department later denied claiming there were structural defects. Despite this, the launch was a massive success, with SM reporting one million pedestrians on opening day. The inauguration ceremony was attended by President Gloria Macaplagal Arroyo. The mall's initial attractions included the country's first IMAX cinema and a large outdoor steel-framed globe.
Today, the complex is a massive ecosystem of interconnected buildings, including the Main Mall and the Entertainment Mall. It serves as a major regional hub, ranking as the largest mall in the Philippines and the second-largest in Southeast Asia, following Malaysia's IOI City Mall. The site has evolved from a simple retail center into a massive mixed-use development, featuring everything from an Olympic-sized ice skating rink to the MOA Sky, a rooftop area that includes a FIFA-grade football pitch and a dedicated dog park. The complex also features the 16,000-seat SM Mall of Asia Arena. Beyond retail, the site includes office spaces and a massive 110-hectare business park area.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: SM Mall of Asia
- Also: Wikidata — SM Mall of Asia · CC0
- Also: Wikidata — SM Mall of Asia Arena · CC0
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/places-sm-mall-of-asia.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in Cities · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics
