February… The season of hearts ... Love in the air. It’s dating season once again. Whether you have a romantic date, are in search of one, or merely want to enjoy the company of friends, great ambience, cool weather, relaxing music, and good food would definitely set the mood. And while the last of the cool breezes are here, take advantage and celebrate in an open, airy setting.
Shop, Dine Celebrate!
Filipinos love to shop, to eat, and to gather around with friends. This has brought about a new trend in entertainment districts I would call “urban retail resorts”. It is also popularly known as “lifestyle centers”. These are the new, hip places where people meet, shop, dine, celebrate, relax, and generally enjoy. Courtyards, promenades, and streetscapes are just some of the architectural elements that comprise this new trend.
Al fresco dining has become so popular that it is now a must for restaurants to have even just a few tables outdoors. Only a few years back, I had a difficult time selling this idea to restaurant owners and developers. Some stuck to the old mall and fully air-conditioned restaurant concept and are now paying the price, not to mention the electricity and building costs.
Lifestyle districts capitalize on this. Its open, airy character attracts a particular market composed of a younger Filipino crowd, the trendsetters. These are people who are already earning and are starting to enjoy the fruits of their labor, wanting to unwind at the end of a working day. These are people who spend hours in the gym, toning up their bodies and would want to be seen. These are people displaying their exotic cars, or big bike enthusiasts parading their babies. They would gather and discuss the things they love and have in common. This has become the place to see and be seen.
Open-air areas allow smokers a place to light up without prejudice. Outside, everyone is allowed, even in shorts and flip-flops. Sometimes, even pets are welcome. Big, bold groups are more easily tolerated. Concerts are even held outdoors on special occasions. Such events add to the already festive atmosphere.
The Benefits for Owners and Developers
For the restaurant owners and developers, this movement translates to lower building expenditure. They are not required to fully enclose areas like they used to. They can have more seating areas, but save on construction and maintenance costs. This will also allow them a worry-free space for smokers. There’s less area to air-condition, resulting in lower power costs. This ultimately means lower investment and operating expenses.
Lifestyle Centers
Urban retail resort development has attracted everyone from all walks of society. The posh Greenbelt 3 in Makati took this concept to new heights by creating multi level outdoor areas ideal for leisure, dining and shopping. The presence of lushly landscaped courtyards and extensive water features softens the architectural elements and completes the ambiance. The Market Market! in the Global City in Taguig offers a different take on the same concept. A wide semi enclosed area was created to cater to an assortment of activities, offering shopping and dining at reasonable prices, in a marketplace setting. The Alabang town center has adapted the cozy “small town” feeling in their palm courts and promenades. Even in the Marikina riverside, this setup has been proven successful. Truly, the trend has shaped both public and private developments in the metro. It has adapted as a contemporary solution, regardless of class.
Expect to see more of these urban retail resorts. It could only get better. Developers are slowly but surely adapting this concept now that they have a better understanding of the Filipino market.
So this valentine’s day, have fun, go out, and stay outdoors!
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