Robinsons Galleria breaks ground in Cebu

 CEBU, Philippines - Gokongwei-led conglomerate JG Summit Group's real estate arm Robinsons Land Corporation officially started its P5 billion integrated development at the 4.6-hectare property at the north reclamation area.

The company held its ceremonial ground breaking event yesterday attended by RLB president Frederick Go and other company officials.

"RLC is ramping up investments in Cebu, which is experiencing robust economic growth, a vibrant retail industry and a booming tourism sector" Go said.

The seven-story commercial building is slated to be finished by 2014.

The building, of which four-story will be occupied by the shopping mall operation will have a gross floor area of about 156,000 square-meters.

Robinsons Galleria Cebu will be a mixed-used development which will include the first Cebu branch of Gohotel.ph, as well as office spaces for business process outsourcing firms.

The hotel will have 153 rooms, the BPO offices will occupy three floors with over 9,000 square meters of leasable space, which the mall will have a gross leasable area of 5,000 square meters spread on four levels.

Robinsons Galleria Cebu's anchor tenants will include Robinsons Department Store, Robinsons Supermarket, True Value, Robinsons Appliances, Suizen, and Toys R' Us.

It will also have six cinemas, including two 3D theaters, with a total capacity of 8,800. The mall will have about 300 tenants offering international brands and popular local brands. Tenants will also include homegrown Cebuano retail shops, restaurants, amusement centers and new entertainment attractions.

The Robinsons Galleria Cebu opening on 2014  will come after RLC opens five Robinsons Place malls in Butuan, Roxas City, Malabon and Santiago, Isabela.

Go said the master plan for the General Maxilom property also includes the construction of high rise residential condominium units which will be benefit from the proximity of the mall and BPO offices.

Robinsons Galleria Cebu will be RLC's third mall in Cebu, which is mixed use mall and office development in the Fuente Osmeña area.  (FREEMAN)