Ayala Land is strengthening its presence in the Visayas with the launch of Ayala Malls Gatewalk, a new lifestyle destination in Mandaue City that aims to become a vibrant hub for shopping, dining, entertainment, and community life.

Unveiled during a media preview at the site on June 10, 2026, the four-level, fully air-conditioned development is set to open in December. Directly connected to an office tower and a public transport hub, it is envisioned as an integrated destination that caters to Cebu’s growing residential, business, and tourism sectors.

Spanning 56,000 square meters of gross leasable area, Ayala Malls Gatewalk will house around 400 merchant spaces and feature a curated mix of retail, dining, leisure, and entertainment concepts. The development will also be anchored by one of its biggest draws—the arrival of IKEA in Cebu.

Present during the preview were Mandaue City Mayor Thadeo Ouano, Ayala Land President and CEO Meean Dy, Ayala Land Senior Vice President for Leasing and Hospitality Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Malls Chief Operating Officer Paul Birkett, and IKEA Philippines Country Retail Manager Ricardo Pinheiro.

For Ayala Land, Gatewalk is the latest chapter in a decades-long relationship with Cebu, which began with the opening of Ayala Center Cebu in 1994 and expanded further through developments such as Ayala Malls Central Bloc in Cebu IT Park.

“We have been privileged to create destinations that have become part of everyday life for generations of Cebuanos and communities across the Visayas,” said Dy.

Zobel de Ayala noted that Cebu has long played a key role in Ayala Land’s expansion outside Luzon.

“Cebu and Mandaue have been central to our expansion beyond Luzon,” she said. “This reflects our confidence in Cebu and the Visayas and the immense potential for growth in the region. Today, that long-term confidence remains strong. Cebu is a regional investment destination and a vital hub for the country and for Ayala Land.”

She added that the company continues to help shape new growth centers in the region through developments such as Seagrove in Mactan, South Coast City along the South Road Properties corridor, and now Gatewalk in Mandaue City.

Positioned as the “Capital of Fun and Flavor,” Ayala Malls Gatewalk is envisioned as a playful and immersive destination that goes beyond traditional retail.

“We are excited to introduce this new chapter with Ayala Malls Gatewalk,” said Dy. “Envisioned as the capital of fun and flavor, Gatewalk will offer a fresh and distinctive experience for Cebuano families, local visitors, and international tourists alike. More importantly, it represents our continued commitment to innovation. This is a new footprint for Ayala Malls, one that will help define the character of the estate around it and set a new benchmark for what a lifestyle destination can be.”

According to Zobel de Ayala, the project is among the most imaginative mall concepts Ayala Land has developed to date.

“With Ayala Malls Gatewalk, we worked to create a place that is joyful, surprising, and a little larger than life,” she said. “From bold design moments to unexpected spaces for play and discovery, this is a mall designed to make people look up.”

The development will feature a central outdoor courtyard highlighted by a large-scale interactive attraction, alongside the ARTrium, a digital art hallway located near the main entrance. Visitors can also expect a strong lineup of global and homegrown brands, new dining concepts, a Shopwise supermarket, and two cinemas.

For Birkett, the project reflects Ayala Malls’ continuing evolution toward creating destinations that prioritize experience and community.

“Ayala Malls Gatewalk represents a new frontier in retail for us, aligned with our vision to create spaces that are not just commercial centers but truly experiential and deeply connected to the communities they serve,” he said. “Cebu continues to be a cornerstone of economic growth in the Philippines, and our investment here, especially with the introduction of IKEA, is a testament to our enduring belief in its potential. Ayala Malls Gatewalk is engineered to be a vibrant hub for the youth, families, and businesses, reinforcing Ayala Land’s commitment to building sustainable, dynamic ecosystems.”

A major highlight of the development is the arrival of IKEA, marking the Swedish home furnishing brand’s first store in the Visayas. The store will span approximately 4,000 square meters—equivalent to five full-sized basketball courts—and feature 41 inspiration showcases alongside IKEA’s complete catalog of more than 8,500 products.

“In IKEA, our mission is simple: to create a better everyday life for the many people,” said Pinheiro.

Since entering the Philippines in 2021, IKEA has focused on serving customers in Metro Manila. The Cebu expansion, he said, marks the next step in reaching more Filipino households across the country.

“With Mandaue being known as the home furnishing capital of the Philippines, it is the perfect location for us,” he said. “Its strategic position between Cebu and Mactan Island allows us to bring our vision to even more homes in the region.”

For Ayala Land, the partnership underscores its confidence in Cebu’s continued growth and its commitment to creating destinations that enrich everyday life.

“The unveiling of Ayala Malls Gatewalk, together with the arrival of IKEA in Cebu, reflects our long-term commitment to this fast-growing region,” said Zobel de Ayala. “Our mission has always been to build with purpose, creating dynamic, future-ready destinations within our integrated estates that inspire and uplift communities.”

When it opens later this year, Ayala Malls Gatewalk is set to offer Cebuanos more than a new place to shop. It aims to become a destination for discovery, connection, and shared experiences—one designed to create new memories for generations to come.