SM opens showcase civic center in Boni Global City

MANILA, Philippines - SM Prime Holdings Inc. is joining the robust retail sector in the sprawling Bonifacio Global City in Taguig.

The country’s largest mall developer is opening today SM Aura Premier, a civic center with a lifestyle mall and office space.

“We support Taguig’s bid to be a world-class city as SM Aura is an innovative concept with its fashion, dining, entertainment, business and lifestyle selections and ground-breaking architecture and first-rate design that will appeal to other cities that want to showcase their best for the world to see,” said SM Prime president Hans T. Sy.

Given its orientation as an integrated development, SM Aura includes office towers, a chapel, a convention center and mini-coliseum that will be supported by an upscale retail podium.

SM Aura Premier, which has a total gross floor area (GFA) of 234,892 square meters (sqm), targets to be one of the first civic centers in the country to be certified Gold under the US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program, is an internationally-recognized green building program in 135 countries.

“SM Prime, through SM Aura, has a remarkable opportunity to lead the shift to sustainability in buildings,” Sy said.

SM Aura, SM Prime’s 47th mall in the Philippines, marks the entry of the mall and banking conglomerate in Taguig, which has emerged as a premier central business district in Metro Manila.

Property giants Megaworld Corp. and Ayala Land Inc. have already established their retail and upscale residential portfolio in the Bonifacio Global City.

Sy said the civic center development will redefine Taguig City’s landscape.

Designed by Miami-based architectural firm Arquitectonica, the building’s design forms three curvilinear ribbons reminiscent of a tree extending its roots.

The dome-shaped, 1,000-seat Samsung Hall will serve as a venue for concerts, stage performances, theatre plays and product launches.

The civic center’s anchor tenants include SM Department Store and SM Supermarket, as well as the Trade Hall, foodcourt, two regular cinemas, two Director’s Clubs and an IMAX Theater, SM Prime said.

Global brands Suiteblanco, Stefanel, Minelli, TM Lewin, J. Lindberg, B.B. Dakota and River Island will be opening their first branches in the Philippines through SM Aura.

For dining options, NBA Café will make its first foray into the Philippines while Trattoria Chef Chris of the famed My Kitchen By Chef Chris at Paco Park will operate in SM Aura.

“SM Aura has set a higher standard with high performance technologies that use less energy, consume less water, and leave a smaller footprint on the city’s resources,” Sy said.

Energy and water use will be reduced by as much as 19 percent and 30 percent, respectively, compared with conventional buildings, SM Prime said.

A large green roof will reduce the structure’s heat island effect and provide occupants with landscaped recreational areas consisting of various plant species.

All waste water will be treated on site and can be reused for non-potable purposes.

For the rest of the year, SM Prime is scheduled to launch SM City BF Parañaque. By end-2013, SM Prime will have 48 malls in the Philippines and five in China.