SM Harrison Plaza to reopen in 2027 with youth-focused mall experience

A familiar Manila landmark is set to welcome a new generation of mallgoers as Harrison Plaza returns in a new form.

SM Harrison Plaza is scheduled to reopen by the end of 2027, bringing back the historic retail destination as a modern lifestyle hub designed to serve residents, students, office workers and visitors in the area.

Steven Tan, president of SM Supermalls, said the redevelopment reflects the company’s effort to create mall experiences that respond to changing consumer interests.

The upcoming development will also include spaces designed specifically for younger consumers. Tan revealed that one floor of SM Harrison Plaza will be dedicated entirely to the youth, recognizing the area’s proximity to several schools.

“La Salle is just next door, St. Scholastica's College, and there’s a lot of schools nearby. We know that it’s going to be their hangout place, so we’re preparing for that,” he added.

The reopening of Harrison Plaza follows the legacy of the original mall, which opened in 1976 as the country’s first one-stop shopping mall before closing in 2019.

The new SM Harrison Plaza is expected to have more than 200,000 square meters of gross floor area and will feature open layouts, community spaces and green areas.

Tan said SM is also exploring new concepts that move beyond traditional shopping, including spaces that combine retail, dining, entertainment and community experiences.

One example is an upcoming mall wing featuring streetwear brands, independent restaurants and cafes, and interactive spaces aimed at younger audiences.

“It’s completely different because the brands are not your mainstream brands. A lot of them are street brands, streetwear, a lot of one-off restaurants and cafes,” Tan said.

The concept will also include creative and entertainment areas, such as a DJ stage, content creator spaces and a skateboard park.