I was out and about today over in the Bajada area. I passed by at the newly built Abreeza Mall, and its almost done. It says on the sign that it will be open on May 12th 2011. Just by looking at it I’m really impressed. Hearing and reading from the TV and the papers on what’s going to be the stores there really makes me and the rest of the family overly excited. But still we always welcome new stuff here in Davao. I’ve already saw the sign and the parking lot for the Robinson there, and it looks impressive. I’ve already seen signs of some other stores and banks too. Just by looking at it from the road it is really looking good and upscale mall. I like the rounded design of it.
To be perfectly honest, my only main concern now would be the traffic flow on that area when the mall opens. Right now to go from Victoria mall to Damosa Street during evening time, before it would take like 45 minutes or so, wait when the mall opens, it might take like 2 hours or more then. Especially during Sunday, just right across the Abreeza mall is a Catholic Church. During Sunday, its always traffic in that there. Now when that mall opens, it might be a traffic jam in that area then. Hmm… It might be good for me then so that I won’t shop that much there.
I’m too impatient when it comes to traffic jams. Well, who would not be. I think the whole Bajada going to Lanang area will be a busy road pretty soon. SM North is in the process of building now. They already started pouring the concrete and stuff there. I think they are targeting to be open in about 2 years from now. Some areas like the supermarket might be open ahead than others. It will be good from the people of Tagum, Panabo, Samal Island and the Compostela Valley area. They don’t have to cross the Bankerohan bridge then to shop at the other SM.
I don’t think I will be going on that new mall anytime soon. I will wait a few weeks. It’s going to be flooded with lots of people from all around the nearest towns here. Just by looking outside when we’re driving by the new mall all workers were trying to do the finishing touches outside. I don’t know about the inside of it though. Just talked with my kids awhile ago, they are really excited with that new mall open especially with the Toys “R” Us store coming there. They’ve been looking up toys r us website. They already know the store for a long time now. My goodness we have to try to make more money here. 😉
Well, hope to bump some of you there sometime. When its open and you’ve been there, let me know what you think of the mall. Have fun shopping!
Hi Feyma
I will be going there next week(dont have a choice) haha…but no doubt i will enjoy it , just for the fact Im home with the wife again. We only live 5 minutes away from the new mall, i did suggest we should try to walk there for some exercise, but i gathered Id be walking by myself if that was the case, haha. Yes I think it will be very busy at first but maybe there will be some exellent promotions in the first week of opening. we shall see next week.
Feyma might think she will not be going to Abreeza today… but I will be bringing her there… I want to check out the place! 😆
Hey hon, do we have to today? Lots of people there? 😉 Will see! 🙂
Hee hee hee….
Bob
Will see always means yes lol.
😉
Hi David L. Smith – Welcome back… Good that your just a walking distance away. The traffic will not be fun going there. I’m pretty sure lots of people there today to check it out. Gosh, Bob really want to check it out today. Will see. 😉 …. We might see you there next week too. Kids wants to see the mall too. Go figure. lol.
Have a good time on your visit.
Take care!
Hi Feyma, do what we do when we visit our home there…go for the airconditioning!!!
I’m scared of the traffic jam too. I now live in the Carmella/flyover area and lastnight it took me a long time just to get back from Gmall cause the construction at Abreeza jammed the roads. I might checkout this mall on Saturday with April if I can. I’ll be very busy today and tomorrow with school. I’mma try to also take my friend from Butuan to visit it since he didnt know about it hhaha
Hey Jawz! What happened to your blog? The last time I checked it was for sale or something?
Hi Feyma,
For years now, Ayala kind os ‘sat’ with their Metro Manila malls and watched SM put up malls all over the provinces. A few years ago, I guess someone at Ayala Malls woke up from their nap and decided to compete, after they realized SM was ‘eating their lunch’ by going out in the provinces.
Recently, Ayala opened a huge new mall (Marquee Mall) in Angeles City, right off the expressway to compete directly with SM City, Clark. Now they are also well along with building a new, upscale mall in Olongapao City, almost across the street from a brand new SM mall being built there.
Looks like the Abreeza Mall will be similar to Marquee … much more upscale than SM usually manages. In US terms, it’s a bit like SM resembling Wal-Mart and Ayala going after the Target/Sears/Macy’s market.
It’s nice to have choices, and it will put a lot of people to work, so all in all a good thing, I think.
I got a laugh out of David Smith’s comments. Doesn’t like malls, eh? Well I was that way in the US, it was hard to even get me to drive by a mall, let alone go inside. But after living in a little provincial town for 5 years, “SM is my friend”. I bet I go there at least 5 days a week, if for no other reason than to do my daily walks in air-conditioned comfort.
Our situation is totally different here in Bulacan regarding mall alternatives. One of the things that struck me very positively about Davao is how many nice restaurants, coffee shops and such there are where you can go without going to a mall. Davao City is so much more “civilized”, even the older sections.
Here, it’s pretty much places you wouldn’t go voluntarily … dirty, run-down, no place to park, or there is SM … I still don’t care much for malls, but I sure spend a lot of time in them 😉
Hey Dave – ha ha ha… .there’s something we have in common… go to malls and do daily walks in an air-conditioned comfort. I’m the type who’s not really into shopping.. well once in while retail therapy. when it kicks in. But usually I can stay in the mall for most of the day w/o buying anything 🙂
SM is taking over Metro Manila. Ha ha. They’re putting up residences everywhere.. esp along EDSA and near a residential area where I live. Heh.
Ayala is also constructing a new mall in the inner business district here in Cagayan de Oro . Next to the Gasiasno mall it will be more up than out given space limitations & will include a 10 story hotel as i understand it . No word on whether the city might have better traffic flow but my guess is a policeman will over ride the traffic signal . 🙂
I went over to the Mall of Asia for the first time this past weekend. Its big, but I was disappointed. The mall in general just doesnt seem to be well maintained. I read that for the SM malls, SM requires their tenants to open shop in all their malls, so it seems that they all contain the same stores so no reason to go out of your way. Would admit that the hypermart seems to be bigger than other versions and has better veggies.
I work next to MegaMall, so have free parking so thats my mall of choice in Manila.
I hear you Jonathan… I’m glad we don’t lived near to that area anymore. It’s going to be a nightmare going from one place to the other. Hey, I thought you were staying near your school? I guess, we haven’t seen you in a long time. We just didn’t know. Well, have fun on your Abreeza visit on Saturday.
I have been to man malls in the United States, all over the country, and I have NEVER seen a Mall as nice as the Mall of Asia. It is an amazing place to me.
The Mall of Asia seems MORE than very well maintained.
One thing I will say about the Philippines, especially in the Manila area…the malls are huge! The Mega Mall is very large.
I absolutely love going to the Mall of Asia to watch movies, eat out (so many restaurants) and watch the fireworks on Saturday nights.
have to agree with Todd on this one as i have been to The Mall of Asia twice and thought it was a fantastic complex, far better then any mall in Davao and equal to the best malls in Australia. I have not seen the new one in Davao yet but will be pleasantly surprised if its as good as The Mall of Asia.
Well at first I was at C5 on Roxas, then in August I went to Wency’s right near UIC Bonifacio branch… now I’m living in my classmates house for cheaper rent right near the flyover in the Carmella area. It’s about a 10-15 minute ride (when roads are clear) to school.
Gosh, just talking about the malls makes me sorta sick. I miss the the Philippines so much, mainly because of my fiance but also because of so many good times with her at the MOA and other malls.
Bette Redido Domantay – Thank you classmate for the like… When are you coming to Davao to check out the mall? Take care
Been there last week and i saw that it’s gonna open soon…it has a resto branch called chickaan one of cebu’s old time favorite chicken hauses we used to ransacked in college…looking forward to try it….
correction there ransack without the ed he he he…
Hi Feyma,
Great looking mall you got there in Davao. Ayala Malls are always sight to see compared to the other mall (SM heheheh). Just by looking at the pictures (even without the obvious signage) would really let you know that it is constructed by the Ayalas. I just hope that Davao won’t be turned into a monster traffic jam area like Metro Manila now that malls are sprouting everywhere.
Hi feyma ,thats great i must admit that some of the older malls in davoa were looking a bit tacky when i was there ,we used to go to sm all the time when i was there will be good that a new one is going to open soon,this means that my wifes family wont have to travel as far if they want to go to an sm ,sounds like davao is taking of have fond memories of being there one day we will get back
chris
Hi Ms. Feyma – I see from the photo Abreeze is by Ayala Corp. Maybe it’s going to be like Glorietta? a bit upscale… or maybe like Market Market type? That’s their mall sort of for the Masses. But whatever type, new store outlets is always good to get excited about.
Not sure if malls there have books store (of course there’s National.. he he) but I mean something like we have here in the Manila.. like Fully Booked (name of the store). Your kids and you will probably enjoy it. Hopefully they have that there. I’m betting it’s gonna be one store a lot will go to. ^_^
Anyway, it seems even the provinces malls are competing.. Robinsons, Ayala, SM. It’s just the same here in Manila. ^_^
Hi Feyma, Do they have a movie theater? We love going there when we in Davao, because they are cheap for us and the kids are in school, so there are never many people there in the daytime hours. Plus, they have recent releases, just like the States. Take care.
Hi Feyma,
Time to lock up your wallet,lol.
Regards,
Chas.
Hi Feyma…time to unlock your wallet and buy heavy…..LOL
This new mall is toooooo expensive and as for TGI Fridays …….WOW! Me the misses and two kids it cost P2000+ Never again!
Hi David – I hear you, I know what you mean. Honestly theirs more restaurant in that mall that a little cheaper anyway. Just an example is the Mooon Cafe, it’s on the 2nd level. Food is good and the place is clean. More restaurant on the 3rd level too.
Thanks for the comment. Good to see you here!
well,everything”s are almost gold price almost everywhere in the philippines.the most important is that our beloved own home town davao city, is slowly to improved.thrs lot’s of new bldgs coming up.hotels and reastaurant almost just everywhere in the city of davao.hummmmm cant wait to have vacations and enjoy those of my favorates foods.ummm yummy !!!yummy!!
Hi claire jones – Have you been gone away from Davao city for sometime now? When we first arrived to live in Davao city the place was just smooth. Less traffic, not much building, less subdivisions open, not much traffic lights. Highways were wide open. Nowadays, with so many malls opening and condo’s are being built and some were built already, more traffic now and congested.
You will be surprise to see how the place change in just a few years. You will be happy to see lots of restaurants from Manila are opening here now in Davao. Foods all over the place and fruits of course…. 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by. Good luck on your visit!