Ali Mall in Araneta Center, which opened in 1976 as the country’s first-ever mall, is once again making its presence felt as one of the city’s newest shopping and dining havens.

Named after legendary boxing champion Muhammad Ali (who personally graced the opening of the mall), Ali Mall recently reopened after undergoing a major makeover, which includes new state-of the-art cinemas, christened Ali Mall Cineplex 4, which has Full Stadium Seating and Boral Acoustic Walls to provide moviegoers with maximum viewing pleasure; and a new, more hip Food Gallery on the topmost floor.

Apart from its updated interiors, new escalators have replaced stairs to provide convenient access to all floors of the mall. Lush landscaping and wider sidewalks have also been added to create a more inviting and pedestrian-friendly streetscape.

Now open on the upper ground floor is an elevated bridgeway called Skywalk.  Araneta Center habitués can now conveniently mall-hop from Ali Mall to SM via the New Ali Mall Skywalk, which interconnects Ali Mall and SM Araneta Center. Tummy ticklers from Sbarro and Dairy Queen, with Dulcinea, Mangan, Pho Hoa, Crystal Jade My Bread, Mondo Juice, Go Nuts Donuts and French Baker outlets, soon to open, are likewise available for in-between shopping breaks. Constructed with floor-to-ceiling glass panels on both sides, the fully air-conditioned elevated footbridge also serves as a luxurious lounging area as it gives shoppers a view of SM’s new expansive façade and the rising towers of Manhattan Garden City.

To complement its new look, Ali Mall now also boasts of an upgraded merchandise mix as exemplified by one of its major anchors, Shoe Center, a total lifestyle outlet offering quality shoes and bags at value-friendly prices.

Apart from a wide array of shopping choices, the redevelopment has also given way to more exciting dining destinations. A wide array of culinary delights continues to be one of the mall’s main attractions, showcasing well-loved food chains such as Pizza Hut, Tokyo Tokyo, The Old Spaghetti House, KFC, Hap Chan, Pancake House, Max’s, Gerry’s Grill, Savory, Goldilocks and the world-famous Starbucks.

Indeed, the New Ali Mall is all set to breathe new life to the city’s shopping and dining landscape as it reclaims its throne as the city’s favorite leisure destination.

To know more about this and other new offerings from Araneta Center, log on to www.aranetacenter.net.