The mall has been a landmark of the area for decades.
In an announcement, Ayala Land, Inc., which operates mall brand Greenbelt, said that the oldest mall in the complex — Greenbelt 1 — will be closed starting April 1, 2024.
This makes today, Sunday, March 31, the very last day of operations for the mall before the demolition works begin.
The said plan, which was first rumored back in July 2023, is in line with the company’s recently unveiled redevelopment plan to reinvigorate four of its establishments, with the other three being Glorietta (also located in Makati City), TriNoMa (in North EDSA, Quezon City), and Ayala Center Cebu.
According to the Ayala group, they aim to make the land where the Greenbelt 1 mall currently sits on a “mixed use development,” with retail, residential, and other amenities.
The Greenbelt 1 building first opened its doors back in 1982 and was designed by National Artist Leandro V. Locsin, who also designed the Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 and Cultural Center of the Philippines in Pasay City.
Since then, Greenbelt has evolved into a precinct within the Ayala Center district consisting of five malls, with the most recent addition Greenbelt 5 opening back in 2007.
In 2023, Ayala Land petitioned the building to be removed from the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts (NCCA)’s list of Important Cultural Property.
As per the company, its design has no “cultural, artistic, or historical significance for the country,” despite being designed by Locsin.
Greenbelt 1 is expected to reopen with a new look in 2028.