User:GAMERBOY102/Archive/Araneta Center

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The Araneta Center is a 35-hectare commercial area in Quezon City, Philippines. Araneta Center Inc. (ACI), owned by the Araneta family, brings in an estimated 1 million visitors daily. The centerpiece of the complex is the Smart Araneta Coliseum, the largest entertainment venue in Asia with a maximum seating capacity of 25,000. It opened as the world’s biggest indoor arena in 1960.

The Araneta Center is currently being redeveloped into a mixed-use area that will integrate residential and office buildings to a redeveloped shopping and entertainment complex. In 2004, ACI’s landmark project, the Gateway mall opened its doors to the public. Gateway forms part of the redesign of the Araneta Center. The Center itself is undergoing a massive 20-year redevelopment plan. Walkway structures for railway transit line commuters have been constructed to serve as an all-access way for shoppers to roam freely around the complex.

Facilities

Shopping malls and retail

Gateway Mall

The Gateway Mall, Araneta Center's Flagship Mall

Gateway Mall comprises five levels of shopping, dining and entertainment. Gateway has 10 cinemas with digital sound and full stadium seating including the first La-Z-Boy theater in the country; “The Oasis,” a one-of-a-kind interior floating garden open to the sky; and the Fabergé Egg-like “Pavilion” which serves as Gateway’s ceremonial entrance.

Ali Mall

Ali Mall is the first fully enclosed shopping mall in the Philippines. Named after famed boxing champion Muhammad Ali, it has a total area of over 62,000 square meters and houses four levels of specialty shops, entertainment outlets, designer boutiques, five cinemas, parking, and a food gallery.

Farmers Market

Farmers Market is a market selling fresh produce and other goods. It has a total floor area of 12,000 square meters.

Gateway Tower

The Gateway Tower is a 30 level office skyscraper adjacent to and directly connected on 4 levels to the Gateway Mall.

Aside from its location, The Gateway Tower will possess 80,000 square meters of office space, ceilings that exceed the height of most other office buildings, as well as 5 levels of retail and 3 levels of basement parking.

Farmers Plaza

Farmers Plaza is Araneta Center’s gateway to EDSA. Renovated and expanded in 1999, the five-level complex is the first ever commercial condominium in the Philippines. Farmers Plaza offers 60,400 square meters of prime retail space occupied by cheap merchandise outlets. A 5-level shopping complex with a mix of international and local shops, dining outlets and entertainment facilities.

Aurora Tower

Commanding a view of the metropolis is the 22-level Aurora Tower. It offers an 18-storey commercial/office space, underground parking, a helipad and penthouse. The Isetann Department Store occupies the building’s first seven floors. The Araneta Group’s headquarters occupies the four top floors.

Hotels

Novotel Manila

Soon to rise on the South East quadrant of the Araneta Coliseum is Novotel Manila Araneta Center, a deluxe business hotel connected to Gateway Mall. Located in the center of the business and entertainment districts of Quezon City, the hotel will have 417 rooms, a 1,000 capacity ballroom, a gym, a bar lounge. Plus all-day dining, spa, swimming pools, and 3 levels of basement parking. The hotel will also offer function rooms.

Future Expansion

The Araneta Center Master Plan will mix retail, entertainment, commercial, hotel and residential uses in a complementary, transit oriented development pattern within lush “garden city” environment that will attract a wide range of public and private activities.

Integrated into the whole development will be an information technology backbone that will provide communications, networks, utilities, and other technology support facilities.

External links

• Araneta Center official website
• Araneta Center satellite image at Google Maps