RLC to build its biggest mall outside of Metro Manila

(The Philippine Star) Updated July 27, 2012 12:00 AM | Zoom Manila, Philippines -  Robinsons Land Corporation is breaking ground this July 26 on the site of what will be its 38th and biggest mall outside of Metro Manila in the North Reclamation area of Cebu City, where the Gokongwei business empire first took root and flourished. Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) is ramping up investments in Cebu, which is experiencing robust economic growth, a vibrant retail industry and a booming tourism sector”, said RLC president Frederick D. Go. Robinsons Galleria Cebu will be a mixed-use development which will include the first Cebu branch of gohotel.ph as well as office spaces for business process outsourcing firms. The seven story commercial building will rise on a 4.6 hectare lot along General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City and will have a gross floor area of about 156,000 square meters (sqm). The hotel will have 153 rooms, the BPO offices will occupy three floors with over 9,000 sqm of leasable space, while the mall will have a gross leasable area of 56,000 sqm spread on four levels. Robinsons   Galleria Cebu’s anchor tenants will include Robinsons Department Store, Robinsons Supermarket, True Value, Robinsons Appliances, Saizen, and Toys R’ Us. It will also have six cinemas, including two 3D theaters, with a total seating capacity of 1,800. The mall will have about 300 tenants offering a mix of international brands and popular local brands. Tenants will also include homegrown Cebuano retail shops, restaurants, amusement centers and new entertainment attractions. Robinsons Galleria Cebu is seen to attract shoppers and tourists from nearby   government   offices,   consulates,   churches, hotels, shipping terminals, schools including the University of San Carlos and University of Visayas, and popular tourist destinations such as Magellan’ Cross and three museums. The mall is slated for completion and opening in 2014. It will come after RLC opens five Robinsons Place malls in Butuan, Roxas City, Malolos, Malabon and Santiago, Isabela. Go said the masterplan for the Gen. Maxilom property also includes the construction of high-rise residential condominiums which will benefit from the proximity of the mall and BPO offices. Robinsons Land also owns and operates various properties in Cebu which cuts across RLC’s various business units. Robinsons Galleria-Cebu will be RLC’s third mall in Cebu after Robinsons Fuente, and Robinsons Cybergate Cebu, which is a mixed use mall and office development also in the Fuente Osmeña area.  Robinsons Land currently operates the newly renovated and improved Summit Circle Hotel in Fuente Osmeña Circle. The Group will soon have three hotels in Cebu, including the Summit Shores Resort hotel which will be part of the upscale Amisa residential development on Mactan Island. The firm is also building the Azalea Residences, a residential development in Gorordo Avenue. Other RLC residential properties are Blue Coast and Aspen Heights which are under the Robinsons Communities and Robinsons Homes brands, respectively.