Ayala Center Cebu set for major makeover

CEBU, Philippines — Ayala Center Cebu will undergo a major re-development in the first quarter of this year transforming the 30-year-old shopping mall to reflect the new era of shopping and leisure experiences.

“Ayala Center Cebu will transform to the Queen City of the South’s premier lifestyle destination – for milestones and unparalleled retail in the region,” said AyalaMalls president Mariana Zobel de Ayala.

Established in 1998, Ayala Center Cebu’s re-development project will be done in phases, and is expected to be completed in 2026.

The mall’s Activity Center will expand its event area for more flexibility and to accommodate bigger events and exhibitors, which include the installation of four-floor high LED wall, and redesigning the grand atrium with architectural treatments on the ceiling.

Part of the three-year re-development project is to enhance the mall’s common areas, parks and garden, elevate entertainment and dining facilities, strengthen merchant mix with flagship stores, more first-in-Cebu and exclusive concepts.

Ayala Center Cebu will also expand its footprint to house more upscale brands and high-end restaurants.

Ayala Center Cebu opened in 1994, the first Ayala Malls outside of Metro Manila. In 2008, The Terraces, a multi-level dining enclave with landscaped park, opened.

In 2013, Ayala Center Cebu expanded an additional 36,000 square meters New Wing that brought upscale and exclusive brands to Cebu.

Ayala Center Cebu is a four-level super regional mall with gross leasable area (GLA) of 140,000 square meters.

“In the past several years, much has changed for all of us – both during and before the pandemic. We’ve seen habits changes, preferences evolve, and priorities re-set. With this, we feel it is an opportunity to usher in a new era for Ayala Malls – and a new experience for our customers,” Zobel said.

Ayala Center Cebu, joins its sister malls like Glorietta, Greenbelt and Trinoma in the company’s mall properties’ redevelopment project, which aims to transform these properties into remarkable spaces “where customers can discover and enjoy unique and best-in-class experiences for retail, dining, entertainment, and leisure.”

According to Zobel, customers can expect exterior and interior design improvements, to reflect a modern and fresh aesthetic, intuitive wayfinding and circulation, and an all-around more cohesive customer experience.

Lush greeneries and open space – a very signature Ayala Malls feature – will continue to be central – with outdoor parks and al fresco spaces, seamlessly integrated into the mall dynamics.

The redevelopment will unleash the full potential of the malls’ retail spaces – enhance areas for convergence, and create spaces that challenge Ayala Malls retailers to bring their best to the Filipino consumer.

“In redefining what we call third spaces – a place outside of your home, and work or school, where you would want to spend time – our ambition is to set a new standard in retail that resonates with both past and future generations,” she added.