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Robinsons Malls Opens the Largest Mall in La Union

Robinsons Place La Union celebrates the fun & positivity of Elyu’s surf culture
by Robinsons Land And JG Summit Teams | Sep 30, 2021
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Perfectly timed for the coming holiday season, Robinsons Place La Union formally opened on September 24, 2021. Strategically situated in the city of San Fernando, La Union’s provincial capital, the new shopping, dining, and lifestyle center is Robinsons Malls' third in the Ilocos Region, following Robinsons Place Ilocos in San Nicolas and Robinsons Place Pangasinan in Calasiao.

Present during the opening ceremonies were RLC Executive Vice President Faraday D. Go, RLC Senior Vice President and Robinsons Malls General Manager Arlene G. Magtibay, Robinsons Retail Holdings President and CEO Robina Gokongwei-Pe, and San Fernando City Councilor Maria Rosario Eufrosina P. Nisce.


The 53rd mall in Robinsons Malls’ portfolio, Robinsons Place La Union strengthens the company’s mantra of improving and making life more meaningful for Filipinos by opening its doors to more people in northern Luzon.

Robinson Place La Union promises not only a unique mall experience to Ilocano residents, it also serves as an all-in-one spot for the shopping and dining needs of weekend tourists — especially the surfers and beach lovers who fondly refer to the province as “Elyu.” Being along MacArthur Highway also makes it an ideal stopover for those driving to Pangasinan, Baguio, and Ilocos Sur.

Robinsons Place La Union's bright and vibrant central atrium features more design elements inspired by surf culture. IMAGE RLC

The biggest mall in La Union also takes great advantage of the laid-back beach vibe that draws people to the “Surfing Capital of the North.” The popular surf town of San Juan, after all, is just 10 minutes away. Every nook and cranny of the four-level mall takes inspiration from the waves that Elyu is known for.

With architecture and design by Jonathan O. Gan + Associates, the mall's façade features blue-toned linear accents, reminiscent of the ripples and waves from the nearby coast. Wavy patterns are also seen inside, especially on the ceiling design of the common hallway. The atrium at the center features clerestory windows that allow natural light to pass through and create a bright and sunny atmosphere inside the mall.

Surfboards, whether as paintings on the wall or actual panels of wood, are used as design accents: from floor labels near the elevators to bathrooms. Surfing culture’s famous “shaka” or “hang loose” symbol is emblazoned along the mall’s hallways, greeting everyone with much-needed positivity. Surf-inspired murals by artist Happy Navarro are also found along escalators, on posts, and in between the malls’ shopping and dining outlets.


Recognizing that it’s a stone’s throw away from one of the Philippines’ premier surfing destinations, sustainability is at the forefront in Robinsons Place La Union. The mall’s materials recovery facility makes sure that waste is effectively segregated, its sewage treatment plant ensures environment-friendly water waste discharge, and its gray water collection system promotes the recycling of non-potable water. Efficient toilet fixtures throughout the mall also minimize unnecessary water usage. The tinted façade windows and frosted clerestory panels are not only design-related choices, but also serve to regulate heat and lessen dependency on air-conditioning.

Robinsons Place La Union takes pride in showcasing what the Ilocos Region has to offer. Some local food outlets featured at the mall include Sagat Crust Food House, which has an existing outlet in Rosario; Pasarabo, which offers Region I specialties like longganisa and bagnet; Gem's Empanada Ilocandia, which started in Laoag in 2006; and Seashack LU, a San Juan favorite that’s famous for seafood.


Other homegrown services are also in the spotlight at Robinsons Place La Union. These include Lorma Life Check Clinic, which opened in 2012 in La Union, Smile City Dental Essentials and Dr. Brows from Baguio City, and Luxe Derm Skin Care Clinic, which is having its first mall venture with Robinsons Place La Union. This focus not only supports local entrepreneurs, it also generates more jobs especially in the provincial capital.

Besides introducing these homegrown brands to more people, Robinsons Place La Union is also bringing other well-known food, apparel, and wellness services closer to Ilocanos. Anchor tenants include Robinsons Supermarket, Robinsons Department Store, Robinsons Appliances, Handyman, Daiso, and Super 50 to make sure that it's a one-stop shop for La Union residents.


Robinsons Movieworld offers four ultra-modern cinemas, which are set to provide the best entertainment once quarantine measures are eased. Digiworld, the special zone dedicated to gadgets, houses premium tech brands. For the foodies, there's the 344-seater Eat Street, a food hall brand by Robinsons Malls that's offering a wide selection of food choices. The Sky Deck, an outdoor space at the mall's roof deck, is Robinsons Place La Union’s signature amenity that gives mallgoers a view of the province’s verdant mountains.


Robinsons Place La Union offers much more than the expected shopping and dining experience, especially during this special time of year. With the towering Christmas tree by the main entrance, it also promises to create cherished holiday memories.  

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