Davao City — NCCC Mall VP, the city’s first shopping mall and a landmark of Mindanao retail for more than three decades, will permanently close its doors 1 January 2026.

The 9.6-hectare complex, originally known as Victoria Plaza, was acquired by Robinsons Land Corp., the property development arm of the Gokongwei Group. The developer plans to transform the site into a mixed-use hub, beginning with a premium office building slated for completion in the first half of 2027.

The mall opened 16 March 1993, under the ownership of the Limso family. At the time, it was the first shopping mall in the Davao Region and only the second in Mindanao, following Cagayan de Oro’s Limketkai Center.

Current operator NCCC Group of Companies said tenants will begin dismantling stalls and salvaging materials in March 2026 to prepare for the site’s full demolition.

Robinsons Land Corp. said the new development will feature an “iconic” facade and premium office spaces. Previous plans for the site included a high-density complex featuring eight 20-story buildings designed to house corporate headquarters, commercial spaces, and business process outsourcing hubs.

For many residents, the closure marks the end of an era.

“When it opened, Victoria Plaza was a revelation,” said Juanito Carreon, a former tenant who operated a mobile phone shop on the ground floor.

“Before the rise of giant complexes and online shopping, this mall was the default meeting place for families and friends. It offered a taste of modern city life that Dabawenyos had never experienced before,” he added.