Village Connect
SM Prime Holdings, Inc. is expanding its presence in Northern Luzon with the opening of SM City Laoag, its first mall in Ilocos Norte and 88th in the Philippines. Set to open its doors on May 30, the mall represents SM Prime’s continued commitment to bringing modern retail experiences to high-potential regional areas.
Strategically located along Airport Road, just minutes from Laoag’s city center and close to the Laoag International Airport, SM City Laoag is positioned to become a commercial and lifestyle hub for locals and visitors alike. Surrounded by emerging residential communities and established business zones, the mall is expected to boost the region’s urban development and retail landscape.
The three-level complex spans over 51,000 square meters of gross leasable area, with 90 percent of the space already lease-awarded. The development is projected to create around 4,000 jobs across retail, operations, and support services, offering significant economic benefits to the province.
“The opening of SM City Laoag reinforces our commitment to bring modern, accessible, and community-oriented retail experiences to underserved but fast-growing areas,” said Jeffrey Lim, SM Prime President. “We’re excited to support the region’s economic momentum.”
Ilocos Norte saw a notable 8.6% economic growth in 2024, the highest among Region I provinces, fueled by strong performance in services, tourism, and transport sectors. SM Prime’s new mall arrives at a pivotal time to support and sustain this growth.
SM City Laoag offers a wide range of tenants and attractions, including flagship brands such as SM Store, SM Supermarket, SM Cinema, Ace Hardware, Pet Express, Miniso, and BDO. Fashion, lifestyle, and health and beauty retailers like Levi’s, Columbia, Adidas, Watsons, and Parfois will also be present. Dining options range from global favorites like TGI Fridays and Vikings to local names like Café Amian and Milk Pot.
At its heart, the mall features an open-air park called “Dap-ayan,” an Ilocano word for gathering place, designed to serve as a venue for community events and recreational activities.
Looking ahead, SM Prime is exploring the potential for a hotel development in Laoag, aiming to capture the province’s growing appeal as a destination for tourism and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions).
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