As early as 2008, SM Prime Holdings was considering to build a fourth mall in
Cavite. The group considered building the mall on either
Tagaytay or
Trece Martires. The group decided against building the mall in either of the cities due to relatively low populations in both areas and searched for alternatives with higher population densities. The company decided to build the mall in Rosario. Rosario is known for its
Tinapang Salinas and is home to Export Processing Zone Authority (EPZA), one of the largest industrial estates in the province. As they were finding a lot where the mall can be constructed, the municipal government offered them to buy the 5.5 hectare land right beside Petron Oil Depot and just near the entrance of EPZA. The group were then pleased by the location, just a right fit for a provincial mall which would be later known as SM City Rosario. ==Location==