To be able to keep pace with the intense competition among the high-end malls in Metro Manila, the Araneta group is banking on the P5-billion Gateway 2 to give the competitors a run for their money.
“The New Gateway Mall 2 was conceptualized, designed, and built with an out-of-the-box approach to take advantage of its unique location and to provide features and amenities that make it indeed a mall like no other—from the seamless integration of entertainment, dining, and shopping to the unique features like the Sagrada Familia Church, Quantum SkyView, and the Lagoon, to the interconnectivity to and from other properties within the Gateway Square. We put in all efforts to make it a ‘must-visit’ destination,” Rowell Recinto, senior management consultant, ACI told the BusinessMirror in an email interview.
Being its flagship mall, Gateway Mall 2 is being positioned to be a game-changer in modern urban malling. Gateway Mall 2 enables ACI to scale up with more than 200,000 sq m of additional choices for shopping, dining, entertainment, and leisure spread over the multilevel mall.
The Gateway Mall 2 introduces a comprehensive array of over 400 brands, offering the latest concepts in fashion, technology, gaming, entertainment, leisure, health, and wellness. With about 150 restaurants and food outlets, Gateway Mall 2 is designed to be an adventure for food lovers. Aside from Palenque by Claude Tayag, other sought-after brands such as a mano, Mamou, Grace Park, Wolfgang’s Steakhouse, Shake Shack, Abe, Tung Lok Seafood, Manam, Boteyju, Burgoo, Classic Savory, Vikings, and Tim Ho Wan will be there to satisfy the cravings of the foodies.
Rebranding it to Araneta City from Araneta Center, Recinto said ACI wants to emphasize the scope of coverage and signify the expansion of Araneta City into upscale territory, which includes Gateway Square (comprising the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Novotel Hotel, Gateway Tower, Gateway Office, Gateway Mall, Parking Garage South Building, and the Gateway Mall 2 and soon-to-open ibis Styles Hotel).
The two Gateway malls seek to address the lifestyle preferences of an upscale market which has been dominated by the likes of Ayala Land Inc. and Rockwell Land.
“The new Gateway Mall 2 is part of Araneta Group’s plan to build a community that delivers a unique live-work-play experience. It serves as a foundational connection to other properties in the Gateway Square and ultimately, in Araneta City, offering opportunities for an experience that can be personalized in a contemporary environment,” Recinto said.
Earlier, Lorna Fabian, vice president for leasing of the Araneta group, pointed out that the Gateway 2 development project covering 190,000 square meters will have 11 levels of additional choices for shopping, dining, entertainment, and leisure in Araneta City
“Gateway Mall 2 promises to be like no other mall in the world. This is the latest in our ongoing efforts to keep providing more memorable firsts in the City of Firsts,” Fabian explained.
Eyeing the privileged youth market
After establishing a niche in the luxury market for the professional sector, Shang Properties Inc. recently introduced Laya and is now targeting the youth who have the money and capability to invest in upscale residential projects.
Laya also offers a well-curated ecosystem of indoor and outdoor amenities, including fitness and yoga studios, co-workspaces, swimming pools, and verdant gardens, enhancing the quality of life within the community.
Situated in the heart of Pasig City, Laya has over 1,200 studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units ranging from 33 to 149 square meters, maximizing space and comfort. Its flexible living spaces cater to young professionals, families, and individuals with various needs and lifestyles. Unit prices start at P10M and are slated for completion by 2028.
Olive Garden
For the Bistro group, a classy location plays an important role in attracting the right market.
In a separate email interview, Bistro group chief operating officer RC Tiongson Bistro Group said establishing a presence in a first-class mall to attract the right market. “We are always looking for mall locations, we prefer in-call or lifestyle development, with a mix market, combination of residential and offices, Tiongson said.
Moreover, Tiongson said the location should be aligned to the brand/s market, mostly the A, B and upper C markets.
The Bistro group recently opened the third branch of Olive Garden in the Verve, Bonifacio Global City. Other branches of Olive Garden are in the Mall of Asia and Glorietta 3, Ayala Center. “Our choice of locations have been good for the Bistro group,” she said.
