SM City Legazpi
SM City Legazpi is a shopping mall owned and operated by SM Prime Holdings, the largest retail and mall operator in the Philippines. It is located along Imelda C. Roces Avenue corner Terminal Road, Barangay Bitano, Legazpi City, Albay. Opened on September 14, 2018, it is the first SM Supermall in Albay and the second in the Bicol Region following SM City Naga. It is also the 70th SM Supermall in the Philippines after SM City Telabastagan in San Fernando, Pampanga. SM City Legazpi is currently the largest mall in the Bicol Region based on gross floor area with of total floor space.
History
In 2015, the city government of Legazpi City announced that SM Prime Holdings is planning to build an SM Supermalls branch in the city. Legazpi Mayor Noel E. Rosal disclosed in a news report that SM Prime Holdings had earmarked Php1 billion for the new shopping mall. Subsequent news reports revealed that SM will spend Php1.5 billion for the new shopping center. In late 2016, SM presented the design of the new mall.The groundbreaking ceremony for the mall was held on February 22, 2017, and construction began immediately after. The jeepney terminal and retail complex of the LKY Metro Transport and Lifestyle Hub, including the SM Savemore, were relocated to give way to the construction. In anticipation of possible traffic congestion, alternate roads leading to the new mall are also being planned, according to Mayor Rosal. The mall is expected to generate 4,000 jobs.
The blessing and inaugural sale was held on September 13, 2018, attended by local officials and SM Supermalls officials led by SM Chairman for Executive Committee Hans T. Sy Sr. The mall was officially opened on September 14, 2018, with 85% of its space already lease-awarded.