<p>For many Manile&ntilde;os, Harrison Plaza was more than just a mall&mdash;it was a part of life. Opened in 1976, it became one of the first air-conditioned shopping centers in the country, a place where families watched movies, friends hung out after school, and shoppers explored its lively tiangge stalls. Long before today&rsquo;s mega malls, Harrison Plaza stood as a symbol of the city&rsquo;s modern lifestyle. Its closure at the end of 2019 left many with bittersweet memories, like saying goodbye to an old friend.</p>
<p>But soon, the landmark will rise again in a new form. SM Prime is redeveloping the site into SM Harrison Plaza, a modern mixed-use complex expected to open in 2027. Early plans point to retail and lifestyle spaces, designed with open-air promenades, greener concepts, and sustainable features. It&rsquo;s a sign of how Manila continues to evolve&mdash;breathing new life into familiar spaces while adapting to today&rsquo;s needs.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/post.php?href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2FManilaBulletinBusiness%2Fposts%2Fpfbid04swrKG7qjR8vrfN5JGjAifPRKZ2e44ZWyS64NTZPSJwjKMbmMSYwn5RkiJ7sMvuhl&amp;show_text=true&amp;width=500" width="500" height="250" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" sandbox="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>Still, for those who grew up with the old Harrison Plaza, nothing can truly replace the feeling of walking its halls, grabbing snacks after a movie, or shopping for Christmas gifts in its busy tiangge. Those moments belong to a different time, one that lives on in stories we share and in the nostalgia that makes the old mall unforgettable.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe style="border: none; overflow: hidden;" src="https://www.facebook.com/plugins/video.php?height=476&amp;href=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.facebook.com%2Freel%2F1243740819944757%2F&amp;show_text=false&amp;width=264&amp;t=0" width="264" height="476" frameborder="0" scrolling="no" sandbox="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></p>
<p>Yet there&rsquo;s comfort in knowing that the space won&rsquo;t be forgotten or left idle. Its rebirth as SM Harrison Plaza is a promise that the site will continue to be a gathering place for people in Malate and beyond. And while the new complex may look different, it can still carry the same spirit of connection&mdash;reminding us that though places change, the memories we made there never fade.</p>