30/08/2025
Farewell to Victoria Plaza: Davao’s First Mall Prepares for Demolition
Davao City is on the verge of saying goodbye to a place that, for over three decades, has been more than just a shopping destination. Victoria Plaza—the city’s first-ever mall and once the pride of Mindanao retail—will permanently close its doors in December 2025, with demolition scheduled for early 2026.
When it opened on March 16, 1993, Victoria Plaza was a revelation. It wasn’t just a commercial space; it was a lifestyle statement. Before the rise of giant complexes and online shopping, this mall became the default meeting place for families, barkadas, and young couples. From bustling grocery runs to weekend window shopping, it offered a taste of modern city life that Dabawenyos had never experienced before.
Its corridors hosted concerts, school fairs, and Christmas events that turned ordinary days into milestones. The once-vibrant arcade—packed with gamers long before smartphones took over entertainment—still lingers in the memory of those who grew up in the 1990s and early 2000s. For many, Victoria Plaza was where friendships formed, teenage love stories blossomed, and holiday traditions were kept alive.
As news of its closure spread, nostalgia quickly filled social media timelines. Residents recounted first dates in its cinemas, family reunions over fast-food meals, and even the thrill of riding its escalators for the first time.
NCCC, the current operator, has announced that by March 2026, tenants will begin dismantling stalls, clearing out equipment, and salvaging materials in preparation for the site’s full demolition. While no official redevelopment plan has been revealed, urban watchers expect the property to transform into a mixed-use complex, possibly blending retail, business spaces, and residences—signaling a new chapter in Davao’s urban landscape.
Yet, as the bulldozers draw closer, what Dabawenyos will truly miss are the stories etched within those walls. Victoria Plaza may soon be gone physically, but its place in the city’s collective memory is secure—forever the pioneer that showed Davao how a mall could shape not just shopping habits, but a generation’s way of life.
