One project involves the expansion and renovation of Ayala Center Cebu, the company’s flagship mall positioned as the city’s premier lifestyle and luxury destination.
The other is the completion of Ayala Malls Gatewalk in Gatewalk Central, Mandaue City, which is slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2026.
Unprecedented regional growth
"Cebu is the economic heart of the Visayas, home to a rapidly growing urban population, a robust middle class, and rising consumer spending,” Paul Birkett, Ayala Malls chief operations officer (COO).
“Cebu (and the larger Visayas region) is experiencing unprecedented growth, and our substantial investment reflects not only our strong confidence in the region but demonstrates our commitment to elevating retail standards and ensuring that we remain relevant, resilient, and impactful for decades to come,” he added.
Birkett told reporters on Wednesday, Aug. 13, that the renovation of Ayala Center Cebu, located at Cebu Business Park in Cebu City, is expected to be completed by the end of this year, while the expansion is slated for completion in the last quarter of 2027.
Heart of fun
The expansion, which will add 18,000 square meters of gross leasable area, will bring in both local and international brands.
These include Manila’s popular restaurant Wildfour; Japanese restaurant chain Ramen Nagi; Thailand-based clothing store Pomelo; French shoe brand Hoka; Singapore-based Beyond the Vines; luxury perfume brand Parfums de Marly; and makeup line Issy & Co., among others.
The Ayala Malls Gatewalk is slated to open in the last quarter of 2026, serving as the centerpiece of the company’s newest 17.5-hectare mixed-use estate, Gatewalk Central.
The mall will feature creative hubs, gaming zones, and a massive, design-forward food hall. With 55,000 square meters of gross leasable area and space for 350 merchants, expanding Ayala Malls’ footprint into new growth areas and consumer segments.
For Gatewalk, Birkett said they envision it as the “heart of fun” in Cebu.
Beyond retail choices
“We want to do something in there (Gatewalk) because you have an awful lot of retail options within this city. We've got to respect that, but we've got to deliver something that allows you to be engaged and entertained across a generational divide, but still have the opportunity to have a meal, have a celebration, do some shopping, too,” he said.
Birkett said the mall opening would kick off the residential towers at Gatewalk Central.
“It's just the mall for now. Let's put the shopping mall in first. Priming the estate, as we call it and then the rest of it will open,” he added.
Both malls would have access to terminals for public utility vehicles and even charging stations for electric vehicles.
“It's no good building a shopping mall if people can't get into it,” said Birkett.
Parking would not be a problem, he said, because they would provide twice as much as what was required by the local parking code.
“That’s why we love Ayala Malls — it keeps building relationships and bringing people closer,” said Birkett.
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