SM Aura Premier : Grand Launch Draws Huge Crowd

Wazzup Pilipinas!

SM Aura Premier is the first SM Supermall in Taguig, 13th in Metro Manila and 47th SM Prime mall in the Philippines. It is SM Prime's latest high-end lifestyle destination project. SM Aura Premier is located along McKinley Parkway and C5 Road cor. 26th St., Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City. The shopping center is situated near its rival mall Market! Market!, owned by Ayala Malls, a real estate subsidiary of Ayala Land, and affiliate of Ayala Corporation.

SM Aura Premier is a new upscale mall and state-of-the-art civic center with office and retail space, built by SM Prime in partnership with the City of Taguig. It was designed by Arquitectonica of Miami and mall interiors by Edge Design of Australia. It has a total floor area of 249,861 square meters for the mall and office building. It has 3 basement levels of parking with 1,771 parking slots. It aims to be one of the first civic centers in the country to be certified Gold under the US Green Building Council Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program. The SM Aura name is derived from the two elements Gold (which has the chemical symbol Au) and Radium (Ra). According to SM Prime putting them together defines “luxury and elegance that emanates from within.”

SM Aura Premier held its grand opening on May 17, 2013 at the Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. There were a lot of people who all made their first glimpse of the mall, photo ops at the first-time to see sights and attractions, as well as done some great shopping. A media launch was held also last May 16.

SM Aura Premier is envisioned as a landmark in the Taguig CBD, the flourishing “micro-city” where multinational and local corporations, as well as embassies, consulates, and cultural offices maintain their Philippine headquarters.

High-end residential buildings, international and innovative schools, technologically advanced medical centers, and other attractions has transformed the area into an ethnically diverse yet welcoming community.

Sex in the City main star, Sarah Jessica Parker, was flown in as the new face and brand ambassador of SM for her legendary status as a fashion icon and arrived in a Jaguar to cut the ribbon for the new luxe SM Deparment Store in SM Aura. Parker, 48, is best known for her role as Carrie Bradshaw in the HBO hit comedy-drama series “Sex and the City,” a Manhattan newspaper columnist, and is credited for having singlehandedly made the designer shoe label Manolo Blahnik into a household name. Sarah Jessica Parker seems the apt choice to headline the SM Store brand

The Sky Park is located on the 5th Level with its al fresco dining stands amid landscaped garden and water features. The Samsung Hall will be a dome shaped 1000 seat event hall set against a lush garden. The SM Aura chapel seats 250 people and is dedicated to San Pedro Calungsod.

The anchor tenants are SM Department Store, SM Supermarket, Foodcourt, two regular Cinemas, two Director’s Clubs and an IMAX Theater which is smaller than the IMAX at the SM Mall of Asia. Incidentally, May 17 was also the Grand launch of the SM Cinema as it treated media people to watch a movie for the first time at SM Cinema IMAX.

IMAX Theatres are specifically designed to deliver the world's most immersive movie experience. It has ultra-modern setting with the most advance digital theatre system. IMAX (an abbreviation for Image Maximum) is a motion picture film format and a set of cinema projection standards created by the Canadian company IMAX Corporation. IMAX has the capacity to record and display images of far greater size and resolution than conventional film systems.

In the Star Trek: Into Darkness movie, we saw Captain Kirk leading a manhunt to a war-zone world to capture a one man weapon of mass destruction. The IMAX cinema where viewers wore 3D spectacles.

Many global brands will have their first stores in the country at SM Aura. Among these are Suiteblanco, Stefanel, Minelli, TM Lewin and Petit Bateau for contemporary fashion; as well as Paul Boulangerie, NBA Café and the Todd English Food Hall for dining.

NBA Café is also making its first entry into the Philippines and is a restaurant to watch out for. SM Aura will also have Trattoria Chef Chris by the famed Chef Chris Locher of C! Italian Dining and My Kitchen at the Paco Park Hotel, as well as favorite foodie haunts like Lugang Café and Yabu.

Here are more details of the features within SM Aura Premier:

There are a lot of reasons why shoppers are anticipating to step foot inside SM Aura, here are 10 of them:
Architecture like a work of art. SM Aura is designed to stand out, not only visually, but also with well-thought architectural and operational highlights for the enjoyment of customers.

With its sculptural form, many images can be read into the composition: the flow of water, the turbulence of air, the strata of the earth.  Inspiration is drawn from the elements of nature herself.  This is another masterpiece by Architect Willy Coscoluella.

Green Architecture. What sets SM Aura Premier apart is its commitment to sustainable design and development, and green architecture to reduce the structure’s carbon footprint.

SM Engineering Design and Development team did not focus on design alone, but enhanced it with sustainable operation and construction as well.  Pollution and waste management systems are planned for maximum efficiency; a water treatment facility to recycle water for non potable use is in place; a massive green roof is designed to reduce the heat island effect in the structure; and international green standards are strictly followed to ensure that SM Aura Premier will use energy and other resources efficiently.

There are also bicycle paths and landscaped recreational areas around SM Aura, ensuring that the community will continue to breath fresh air for many years to come.

Redefining lifestyles. SM Aura gathers together selected local and international brands gathered in one spectacular yet sustainable structure that redefines the country’s retail, fashion, gourmet, and lifestyle scene.

This gives new meaning to the SM mantra of having it all.  And of course, the group’s mainstays – a more upscale SM Store, the Supermarket, Kultura, Our Home, Toy Kingdom – will be there, as will Forever 21, Uniqlo, Watsons, and Ace Hardware.

A mall of firsts. Many global brands will have their first store in the country at SM Aura.  Among these are Suiteblanco, Stefanel, Minelli, TM Lewin, and Petit Bateau for fashion; as well as Paul Boulangerie, NBA Café, and Todd English Food Hall for dining.  It will also house the latest in concept and flagship stores.

Sky Park. The Sky Park has landscaped gardens and various water features that provide customers with the perfect ambience as they enjoy tried and tested gastronomic treats and exciting culinary concepts.

The Pod. With a unique dome design set against a lush garden backdrop, the Pod is set to be a landmark in the Fort area.  Designed for events, exhibits, and performances, the Pod is a great way to meet, greet, and be one with SM Aura Premier’s diverse community.

The Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod. At the top level of SM Aura will be a chapel with an unorthodox yet highly aesthetic yet tubular design.

The Chapel of San Pedro Calungsod highlights quiet elegance – the ideal place to stop, rest, and reflect in this busy city.

Over the top entertainment. The IMAX is worth a visit to SM Aura Premier alone, including the state-of-the-art cinemas designed to provide film lovers with a contemporary, elegant ambience.  There are also two Director’s Clubs for special screenings.


The Office Tower. A nearby office tower addresses the needs of the international market as well as the growing demands of the call center industry in the Philippines.  It will also have community offices, meeting rooms and facilities.