Ayala Land unveils a reenergized lifestyle destination
Despite its growing number of malls all across the country, Ayala Land still considers Glorietta Mall at the heart of the Makati Central Business District its “crown jewel.”

This is according to the company’s vice president and commercial business group head, Rowena Tomeldan, who has seen three major redevelopments of the property in her many years of tenure with Ayala Land.

“For those old enough to remember, they will recall that Glorietta was originally a park and used as an activity center,” she told The Manila Times in an interview on Monday. “The malls back then that surrounded the open area were the Quad and the old Greenbelt; but since everyone kept referring to the vicinity as ‘Glorietta,’ Ayala Land decided to convert it into an indoor facility that connected all the other commercial establishments in Ayala Center.”

It was in 1992 that the Glorietta Mall officially opened its doors to the public, immediately serving as a gateway to other nearby malls, luxury hotels and condominiums. Because of its history as an activity center, it also became the first mall in the country to host concerts and other large-scale events, thus setting the bar for newer malls that burgeoned around Metro Manila and beyond.

With both new established retailers and restaurants scrambling for a space in what became dubbed as the country’s “premiere mall,” Glorietta underwent two relatively consecutive expansions, one in 1999, less than a decade since it began operations, and the second just shortly after in 2005.

Before 2012 comes to a close, the public will witness another major development at Glorietta with a brand new makeover that has long been on the drawing board.

“We are excited to present what we now call the ‘New Glorietta’,” announced Tomel-dan. “This is where life, work and play gloriously converge, amid a back drop that is more eco-savvy, more refreshing, and a more rewarding urban paradise.”

One by one, beginning this November, such features as water falls running down from the third to the ground floor; wood finishes on central walls; and outdoor gardenscapes will be unveiled to provide a green and relaxing setting for mall goers at the center of bustling Makati City.

Now boasting of a 34,000-square meter of commercial expanse, the new Glorietta will further boost its reputation as a world-class shopping, dining, and entertainment destination, from new concept stores like Bershka, Stradivarius, Vince Camuto and Gant Shirtmakers, to the monumental flagships of proudly homegrown brands as Bench, Penshoppe, The Row, and National Bookstore. For foodies, there is the exciting addition of dining establishments namely Wee Nam Kee, Tong Yang, Watami and Chucky Cheese; and for the tech-savvy, the rise of gadget centers powered by Switch, Avid Sony and Digital Walker.

“Aside from these new establishments, the new Glorietta will also become a mixed development with the addition of an office complex and a Holiday Inn very soon, Tomeldan further revealed. “Like I said, Glorietta is our crown jewel so we will never cease to reinvent it for our loyal patrons.

Watch out for this exciting line-up of events to celebrate the new Glorietta at its famed Activity Center: “Feel The Beat” with The Crew and Philippine All Stars on November 9; “Joy! A Christmas Concert” with Piolo Pascual and Zia Quizon on November 16; “Spectrum of Christmas Colors” on November 16; “Pepe’s Secret Christmas Ballet” on November 17; “A Christmas Show” with the Blake on December 7; and “The New Glorietta Vibe” with a fashion show that aims to break the world record on most number of persons on a catwalk on December 9.