Resort mall project in Mactan to open before end of the year

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu will have its first resort mall before the year ends, as the six-story Island Central Mactan nears completion.

Geege Central Mall Inc, (GCMI), announced Thursday the company's commitment to open not just merely a shopping mall within the five-star development, but a holistic leisure, lifestyle destination in Mactan.

Eugene Erik Lim, the company's chief operating office and vice president said that on top of the P1billion investment to build the six-storey building that will house the shopping and leisure component and BPO offices, another P1.5 billion will be spent to build the modern wharf in partnership with other investors.

Island Central Mactan, located along ML Quezon National Highway, in barangay Pusok, Lapu-Lapu City, will culminate the building of seven more high rise  structures that will be built within the integrated resort destination, including a probability of hosting an international hotel chain and other themed developments.

Design aesthetics of the mall, including the landscaping development and the wharf, will strictly adhere to a resort-feel ambiance, Lim said.

The company has partnered with fast craft operator Ocean Jet to transport passengers to and from Cebu, an initiative that will help solve the worsening traffic problem from mainland  Cebu to Mactan island, which is one of the company’s thrust, Lim said.

GCMI targets to soft open the mall before the year ends but the fast craft ferry shuttle service will be commercially start next month.

According to Lim, the company is very careful in choosing their tenant mix so as not to deviate from its resort destination theme.

A 24-hour al fresco space for food, entertainment, and beverage area is designed also to support the wharf's ferry shuttle service, as well as give alternative destination for airport passengers, whether they are waiting for their flights or delayed flights.

Island Central Mactan is just five minutes away from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

To date, 80 percent of its 18 ,000 leasable spaces are now taken.

GCMI also operates an over 30-year-old shopping mall in Ozamiz City. Lim said the family, led by its President and chief executive officer Edwin Lim, has seen the strong business potential for retail and tourism related business in Cebu. (FREEMAN)