(SPOT.ph) Since opening its doors in 2012, Robinsons Magnolia has been a go-to destination for New Manila residents and nearby workers thanks to its wide selection of shops and eating restaurants. Its relatively compact size makes it easy enough for daily visits whether you'd want to stroll around on the weekends or just need a quick bite. Robinsons Magnolia regulars will be excited to know that the mall is set to open a new wing—you might have even passed by it on your last visit since construction began in September of 2016. While most of the shops and restaurants have yet to open, SPOT.ph got to take a sneak peek of exciting new things you can expect from the expansion.
Architect Conrad Erfe notes that despite the addition of a new wing, the mall remains "comfortably sized," which means walking around will still be a breeze and the shops and restos you're eyeing won't be difficult to find. Plus, the new wing is seamlessly connected to the old mall, so you'll have no problems hopping back and forth between one and the other.
One of the first things you might notice upon entering Robinsons Magnolia's new wing from Doña Hemady Street (the space was once an open parking lot), is a garden situated at the center of the complex—a sprawling green space that will soon feature cool artworks all around. Plus, it's a pet-friendly mall—there will even be a drinking fountain in the garden to keep your furbabies hydrated! Near the garden is a slew of restaurants and cafés so you can easily grab a bite with the fam after exploring the greenery. We even spotted a soon-to-open Starbucks Reserve right by it!
We also saw tons of cool new eating joints set to open in the new wing, including Macao Imperial Tea, Peri-Peri Chicken, Kaya, Mary Grace Cafe, Nono's, Fiery Style, Flamingo Bloom, Cinnabon, Ippudo, Tsujiri, Hui Lau Shan, Cinq Dessert Boutique, Cyma (previously in the old wing), and more. Plus, Australian yogurt shop Koomi is set to open at the mall as well—the first in the Philippines!
If you're on the hunt for new places to dine in, you'll want to check out the mall's new food court, Public Eatery (managed by the Tasteless Food Group), which will have 18 food stalls where you can satisfy your cravings in a flash. The lineup includes a range of cuisines like Italian, Thai, and Korean, as well as third-wave coffee, and a selection of beverages, wines, and spirits. We even heard that Famous Amos would be opening there, too! The eatery will feature a cool urban design inspired by the Tokyo Subway and is expected to open this November.
Near the foodcourt is a brand-new cineplex, which has four new cinemas in addition to Robinsons Magnolia's already existing theaters for a total of eight cinemas in the entire complex. One of the four new screening rooms is a VIP cinema, which comes equipped with a seating lounge outside the theater and ultra-comfy seats, which can be fully reclined with the push of button. Add the Dolby Atmos sound system to the mix (which promises dynamic, 360-degree sound) and you've got a super cozy viewing experience. Each seat even has a USB port so you can charge your phone while watching a movie. Tickets for the VIP cinema are priced at P550, inclusive of drinks and unlimited popcorn.
You can also watch films at their regular cinemas, which promise a great viewing experience as well thanks to the crystal-clear Dolby Surround 7.1 sound system. Tickets range from P320 to P380.
If you're hitting the mall to go on a shopping spree, you'll see lots of exciting options in the new wing including stores like Keds, Daiso Japan, Power Mac Center, Adidas, and more. We even spotted a cool new store called CEO, a budget-friendly lifestyle store with household items, beauty products, stationery items, and more—this is its first branch in the Philippines!
Whether you're a Robinsons Magnolia regular or you're new to the mall, you're sure to find some exciting things to do inside its new wing. If you didn't know, the mall was once the site of the famed Magnolia Ice Cream Factory, so this latest expansion is just one in decades' worth of changes and developments. If its storied history tells us anything, it's that the space will only continue to get better and better.
Robinsons Magnolia is at Aurora Boulevard corner Dona Hemady Street, Quezon City.
