What this place is
MOA: what this place is
The SM Mall of Asia complex stands on reclaimed land in Bay City, Pasay. It is the mall, the arena, the convention centre and the residences built between them and the water.
What is here
| The mall | Opened 21 May 2006. Owner, SM Prime Holdings.Wikipedia, read 7 October 2026 |
| Address | Seaside Boulevard, Barangay 76, Central Business Park I-A, Bay City, Pasay, at the corner of EDSA and J.W. Diokno Boulevard.Wikipedia, read 7 October 2026 |
| The arena opened | 16 June 2012.Wikipedia, read 7 October 2026 |
| Seats in the arena | 20,000 full seats at the launch.SM Prime release, search summary, 7 October 2026 |
| The convention centre opened | 5 November 2007.Wikipedia, read 7 October 2026 |
| SMXCITE, under construction | PHP 1.7 billion, completion in the first quarter of 2027.SM Prime release, search summary, 7 October 2026 |
| The esplanade | SM by the Bay, 1.5 km of walkable waterfront between the mall and the bay.Wikipedia, read 7 October 2026 |
| The terminal | Esplanade Seaside Terminal, cruises and tours, operated by the SM companies.Pasay City tourism page, read 7 October 2026 |
| The residences | Sea, Shell, S and Shore Residences, all by SMDC, built on the land between the mall and the water.SM Prime release, search summary, 7 October 2026 |
| Shore Residences | 9 hectares in three phases; 1- and 2-bedroom units.SM Prime release, search summary, 7 October 2026 |
| Shell Residences | Four 16-storey buildings, 3,093 units.Inquirer Business, search summary, 7 October 2026 |
The size of the complex is reported at 16 hectares (Wikipedia, read 7 October 2026) and 60 hectares (SM Prime release, search summary, 7 October 2026); I have not found the owner's figure.
Living beside a mall complex, as I see it
| Option | For | Against | Risk |
|---|---|---|---|
| Inside the complex | The grocery, the mall and the bay are inside one walk. | On arena nights the streets fill with people and cars. | The rent follows the complex; every new tower lifts the price of mine. |
| A short ride away | Quieter streets, and more units to choose from at the same size. | Every errand turns into a ride, and the fares add up over a month. | The older buildings ask less and hold fewer units kept in good order. |
The place itself
