SM City Iloilo is one of the region’s largest and most influential retail centers, serving as a critical driver of business activity, tourism, MSME development, and the IT-BPO ecosystem.
The redevelopment signals SM Prime’s push to modernize its provincial malls with next-generation features and sustainable infrastructure.
Driving the news
The upgrade will add more than 7,900 sqm of new gross leasable area for retail and dining and 23,670 square meters for the upcoming National University (NU) campus within the complex. The project also includes:
“SM City Iloilo has been central to our growth and to the Ilonggo community,” said SM Prime president Jeffrey C. Lim. “This investment will help drive domestic tourism, strengthen MSMEs, and unlock the city’s full potential.”
Catch up
Opened in 1999 during the Asian Financial Crisis, SM City Iloilo has undergone multiple expansions—from 2009 to 2016—growing its GLA from 71,979 sqm to 106,307 sqm. The new redevelopment continues this trajectory under SM Prime’s “All For You” strategy.
What’s new
The mall will introduce fresh zones for athleisure, entertainment, and amusement to support a more diverse tenant mix.
Several first-in-Iloilo brands are set to open, including Game Park, Fantasy World, Decathlon, TGI Friday’s, and Chili’s, strengthening its status as a top retail and lifestyle destination in the region.
Sustainability shift
SM Prime is integrating eco-efficient features—such as rooftop solar panels and advanced daylighting systems—as part of its broader push toward greener, energy-efficient developments.
What’s next
The arrival of NU by 2027 is expected to boost foot traffic and expand the mall’s multi-generational appeal.
Once completed, SM City Iloilo will offer upgraded retail, dining, and lifestyle spaces aimed at cementing its position as Western Visayas’ premier lifestyle mall. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
