Robinsons brings new mall concept to Las Pinas

MANILA, Philippines - To better serve the growing populace in southern Metro Manila, Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC) will open an efficient-sized shopping center along the Alabang-Zapote Road in Las Piñas on Oct. 25.

Robinsons Place Las Piñas is a two-story mall with roughly 200 retailers that will cater to 300 subdivisions, schools, hospitals and 700 business establishments located within its five-kilometer radius.

Arlene Magtibay, RLC senior vice president and general manager for the commercial centers division, said the Las Piñas-Paranaque corridor is a new market they can tap.

“The population is largely middle-class with a good number of professionals, many of whom are well-travelled, and with strong purchasing power.  We are providing an exciting, compact mall that will be an alternative to the large commercial developments within the area, ” she said.

Standing on a 6.8-hectare site, Robinsons Place Las Piñas is part of a mixed-use complex that will include a mid-rise residential condominium project of Robinsons Communities.

 “The mall’s size is not overwhelming. The location is very accessible to the target market who will no longer have to brave traffic congestion just to go malling,” said Magtibay.

The mall is envisioned to become the “third place,” a social setting that’s not a home or office but an environment to mingle or hang out. “Malls are now primarily a venue for connecting with shopping as the backdrop,” Magtibay pointed out.

In a high-density neighborhood, the indoor-outdoor architecture has become a solution to enhancing the quality of life. Reflecting this trend, architect Gil Coscolluela of W.V. Coscolluela and Associates veered away from the traditional big-box retail.

 “Nowadays, the indoor-outdoor experience has become the norm. It makes the mall more inviting,” said Coscolluela.

Robinsons Place Las Piñas is built with large expanses of glass to allow more natural lighting and offer more vistas. Trellises for shade and stone on the columns establish a connection with nature.

Since a compact mall offers straightforward corridors compared to the labyrinthine passages of big malls, the main walkway is easily directed to the supermarket and the department store and the external establishments.

“Activities can be held in the Grand Atrium, the central area. The main passage is like a curved spine which marries the front and rear of the mall. In between are various stores on both sides,” said Coscolluela.

The stores and dining outlets are arranged in a way that one can rest between shopping bouts. The park-like atmosphere is recreated in the food court with its woodsy interiors, skylights and plantings that recreate the outdoor feel.

“We are trying to change the mold of how people experience shopping. Before, it used to be strictly retail on one side and food on another.  As mall goers become sophisticated, the norm changes. When you shop, you take a break at some point. This type of planning helps to cultivate a more leisurely shopping experience,”said Coscolluela.