Ayala Land Inc. is set to make a major expansion in the Visayas with the opening of Ayala Malls Gatewalk in Mandaue City this December, a development that will mark the arrival of the region’s first IKEA store. The four-level, 56,000-square-meter complex is designed not only as a retail hub but as a lifestyle destination, integrating shopping, dining, entertainment, and community spaces into one cohesive environment. Anchoring the project is IKEA, which will occupy about 4,000 square meters and bring its full range of home furnishings to Cebu, underscoring the province’s growing importance as a consumer market.

The mall will feature a mix of international and local brands, new dining concepts, a Shopwise supermarket, and two cinemas. Beyond retail, Ayala Malls Gatewalk aims to create a more immersive experience with a central outdoor courtyard, a large-scale play element, and the ARTrium, an interactive digital art hallway at its main entrance. The complex will also be connected to an office tower and a public transport hub, making it a strategic addition to the Gatewalk estate and serving residents, office workers, and visitors alike.

Paul Birkett, chief operating officer of Ayala Malls, described the project as a “new frontier in retail,” emphasizing the company’s vision of building spaces that go beyond traditional shopping centers to become experiential destinations deeply tied to the communities they serve. Mariana Zobel de Ayala, senior vice president of Ayala Land, echoed this sentiment, calling the development a milestone in the company’s expansion in the Visayas and a reflection of its long-term commitment to integrated developments that support regional growth.

With the opening of Ayala Malls Gatewalk, Cebu’s retail and lifestyle landscape is expected to gain a significant boost, reinforcing the city’s role as a major urban center in the Visayas. For Ayala Land, the project also strengthens its recurring-income portfolio, which includes malls, offices, hotels, and other commercial assets, further diversifying its presence beyond Metro Manila.