Elizabeth Mall phase 2 expansion underway

To keep abreast with the stiff competition within Cebu’s emerging retail industry, the Augusto Go-led Elizabeth Mall, the so-called “Shopping Center of the South” is currently undergoing construction for its phase two expansion that will be launched on the first quarter of this year.

In an interview with Elizabeth Mall’s Leasing Officer Mary Grace Gonzales, she pointed out that about 5, 054.21 square meters of leasable spaces is currently under construction at the eastbound Sanciangko area of the mall’s property.

About 80 units of stalls excluding kiosks and carts are projected to be accommodated in the four-storey wing with an additional basement parking that measure 2, 445 square meters.

Some of the confirmed tenants include: Julie’s Fast food, H Salon, and other shops selling different kinds of items from accessories, electronics, apparels, and service-oriented enterprise.

Gonzales discussed that the expansion’s first floor will accommodate food and services type of businesses. Also their anchor store which is the SM Prime Holdings-owned Save More supermarket will also be undergoing expansion and renovation occupying about half of the whole floor area.

 The second floor will be the designated area for boutiques, salons, and bazaars composed of fashion apparels and accessories shops.

Whereas the third floor area will be occupied by cell phone shops, electronic-service providers, gaming stations and the expansion of E-mall’s amusement center called as the “World of Fun.”

Meanwhile the fourth floor on the other hand will accommodate the business center wherein corporate offices, medical and diagnostic clinics among others will be located.

The existing mall is composed of three floors and with its eastbound expansion, mall operators brings in additional concepts such as the E-mall Trade Zone wherein corporate events and business-related activities such as trade fairs will be held while a bigger E-mall Activity Center will be relocated at the new wing’s fourth floor.

The eastbound expansion will also open another mall entrance at the Sanciangko area right across the Cebu Coliseum.

Gonzales also revealed that they have so far generated 65% to 70% confirmed tenants after five months of marketing efforts.

“Since E-mall is located in the downtown area, this expansion will enable us to attract more market and be more competitive in the retail industry, stressed Gonzales. She further added that, “with the expansion our customers can expect more boutiques, a bigger amusement center so more activities and events to look forward and more food outlets.”

The mall expansion is targeted to soft-open on the first week of March; it was originally planned to kick-off this January but was postponed due to some construction delays brought by the rainy season.

Currently, the existing mall has 150 to 160 tenants including kiosks and carts. At the moment, E-mall is still accepting applicants for the eastbound expansion’s lease.  – Rhia de Pablo