| Victoria Plaza Mall is the first shopping centre in 1993 to cater to the local populace of Davao City. It’s considered a counterpart of Harrison Plaza, which was acquired by the SM Group and was demolished to make way for a modern version. The fate of Victoria Plaza Mall is already set when the antiquated shopping center closes its doors permanently in December 2025.
It has become a local landmark of Davao City, previously owned by the Limso Family. Until it went into receivership, it was acquired by the NCCC Mall, which acquired the property on March 12, 2019. It was rebranded as NCCC Mall VP. But a recent development is that it will be redeveloped by Robinsons Land Corp. |
The news is that Robinsons Land Corp has bought the site in September 2025 to be redeveloped to make way for a large-scale, mixed-use shopping center. It looks like the shopping mall concept is here to stay. But for those who grew up going to the Victoria Plaza Mall, this is one nostalgia trip before it finally closes down.
Recently, I visited this old, derelict shopping centre, and despite its outdated aesthetics, people still visit this place. The last memory of being here was going back to 2011, before my flight going back to Manila, where a kind old taxi driver took me to this mall since it’s the only one I know that had a McDonald’s store that is no longer here anymore.
Upon entering the grocery side of the shopping centre, the first thing that came to mind was Harrison Plaza, as they are pretty much similar in fate, facing imminent closure and getting redeveloped into something new. While waiting to meet with relatives from this city, I get to look at the stores that inhabit the stalls.
There have been unique and yet strange, unfamiliar names. I never had the chance to look around further, going to the other parts of the building. When a cousin mentioned that the Victoria Plaza Mall would meet its permanent closure, I snapped some pictures for nostalgia that, for some, meant to them growing up knowing their favourite place would cease to exist.
As they say, nothing lasts forever. This can be applied to heritage buildings too, as they are not safe forever, unlike the ones you see in other countries that really put importance on the word “heritage.”
The ambiance and feel inside the Victoria Plaza Mall is unmistakenly retro for the way some of the old stores are still around. While the former Harrison Plaza has darker lights and has degraded to the point that the original stores have shut their doors or have moved on, this place still maintains its charm for visitors who will discover it for the first time before it meets its end.
It was a great opportunity to walk through the hallowed halls of Vitoria Plaza Mall before they became just a memory to the locals of Dvao City.
For now, enjoy the last four months of this place as much as you can. They may be just an old social media post in the future without soaking in the chance to relive its remaining mall experience.
I personally may not be able to visit this place anymore, but I’m glad I did before it ends up just a memory tomorrow.
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