SM Baguio gets top shopping center of the year award

SM City Baguio was awarded as the Outstanding Shopping Center of the Year in theMedium Category during the PRA’s Outstanding Retailers Awarding Ceremony held recently at the Crown Plaza Hotel.

SM Prime Holdings President Hans T. Sy together with SM Supermalls President Ms. Annie Garcia, and VP for Leasing Ms.Daisy Chua, received the award with the SM City Baguio team - VP for Operations-North Mr.Bien Mateo, AVP for Operations North Luzon 2 Mr.Juancho Sibal and Regional Operations Manager North Luzon 1 Mr. Cesar Bondoc.

SM City Baguio opened on Nov. 21, 2003 making it the first and only SM Supermall in the Northern Luzon area. .

Located on a 79, 763-square meter property at the site of the former Pines Hotel on Session Road, the 16th SM Supermall was designed to capture Baguio's breathtaking beauty. Its construction and design team - Design International, a foreign design consultant; Jose Siao Ling and Associates, architects; New Golden City, general contractors; and DA Abcede and Associates, project managers worked very closely with SM's engineering group to create this masterpiece of a mall.

SM City Baguio is a departure from the usual box-type shape that characterizes other SM malls. Design International, the mall's foreign design consultant, and Jose Siao Ling and Associates collaborated on this "out-of-the-box" concept, which was made possible by Baguio's cool climate.

According to architect Jose Siao Ling, Design International and his firm integrated SM's symmetrical and organized mall concept and ideas from non-government groups to design a mall that follows the contour of the land, blends with nature, is environmentally efficient and breathtakingly beautiful.

The front side has three levels and the back side six levels. Terraces on both ends which were inspired by the Banaue Rice Terraces in the Mountain Province, add to SM City Baguio's rustic charm. The terraces also give one a breathtaking 360-degree view of the beauty of Baguio: The mountains in front, the city and the mountains at the back. The design team also collaborated with landscapers to create beautiful gardens of lush plants, flowers and pine trees.

The mall is also environmentally efficient. Apart from its natural ventilation, it also treats and recycles water. Rather than the usual roll-ups, it has "counter weight glass doors that allow one to see the outdoors. It is first in the Philippines. A scenic elevator in the atrium also allows shoppers to see both the mall and the view from the terraces.

Since its opening, SM City Baguio has become a tourist destination not only because of its design, but also because it has raised shopping, leisure, and entertainment levels in the City of Pines.

With the SM Department Store and SM Supermarket as its main anchors, it has over 300 specialty stores where Baguio residents can enjoy the latest trends in fashion, home furnishing, health and personal care, electronics, as well as services without leaving the city.

The mall also has a special area where visitors can buy Baguio souvenirs.

Dining out options include hometown favorites, local and international food chains, and specialty restaurants. The mall also has 4 state of the art cinemas where residents can enjoy the latest Hollywood blockbusters and hometown hits. The mall has been a venue for major local events like the Panagbenga, performances of local and world class talents, as well as numerous cultural events.

As a responsible member of the community, SM City Baguio has been catalyst for employment and business opportunities, and a top city taxpayer. The mall has also hosted numerous CSR events for the environment and for persons with disabilities; and assisted SM Foundation in its scholarship programs and medical missions.