Robinsons Builds Strong Presence in Cebu with New Malls, Hotel, and BPO Offices

Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) is establishing a new dimension towards mall culture south of the country, and has launched and made plans on new structures that are set to offer diverse choices in both lifestyle and tourism particularly in the Queen City of the South, Cebu. With old malls and new ones that are continuously being developed, RLC is hoping to establish its niche on the business and lifestyle industry, in the province proclaimed by the Department of Tourism as the Philippines’ top tourist destination.
Cebu has a special place in the heart of RLC’s history as its Chairman Emeritus, John Gokongwei was actually born in the province. Cebu is also known as the setting of the company’s first retail ventures, with a department store and grocery outlet opening in the mid 1980’s, and considered one of the first urban establishments to flourish in the Fuente Circle.
The grocery and department store was turned into a full service mall in year 2000 as a three-story building offering retail and gastronomic choices. RLC further established its mixed-use concept in architecture by connecting it directly to the Cebu Midtown Hotel, another RLC property catering to traveling businessmen and convention members.
Both Robinsons Place Cebu and Cebu Midtown will soon undergo major facelifts this year to provide a more modern and dynamic venue to the province’ impressive tourist growth.
Robinsons Place will be sporting an eye-catching façade of glass walls plus a giant projector screen to announce weekend sales and events. The mall is strategically located within three major thoroughfares: Fuente Osmena Avenue, General Maxilom Avenue, and F. Ramos Street. The mall has over 90 brands within its complex, plus Robinsons Malls’ anchor brands such as the department store, the supermarket, Do-It-Best Handyman, Robinsons Appliances and the food court.
Cebu Midtown, on the other hand, will be rebranded as Summit Circle, which is part of RLC’s current rebranding undertaking.
The new hotel will feature a new lobby that will be defined by a minimalist, Asian-contemporary design. All 212 guestrooms will also be fitted to provide modern amenities for tourists on-the-go.
A few blocks away from Robinsons Place is the new Robinsons Cybergate Mall. This project is considered the first establishment in Cebu that offers a unique tenant mix that will cater to the province’s new direction in tourism – medical tourism.
Robinsons Cybergate is defined by a distinct combination of culinary, wellness, medical and BPO spaces, and was constructed with green architecture in mind.
The dining outlet for example, has a glass atrium which provides natural light to the whole space. The ceiling is also draped with tasteful trimmings to regulate temperature.
The first two floors of the building is allotted as dining and retail space, with local restaurants such as Moon Café as one of its more famous outlets. The second floor where the food court is located is usually full since the mall is located near major offices and hospitals.
The third floor on the other hand, is labeled the wellness floors – wherein a variety of salons and boutiques such as parlors and spas have set up office. The wellness centers usually occupy considerable space for its services. The quirky Coco Salon, a Korean-owned beauty space for example, has a wide 110 sqm space, and can accommodate more than 20 customers at a time.
The fourth and fifth floors are reserved for medical clinics – medical establishments that offer consultation and simple diagnostic procedures.
“Cebu has been very aggressive when it comes to medical tourism and Robinsons Land is just responding according to the demand. There’s a call for medical clinics and offices, and our location is considered very strategic as we are right across Chong Hwa Hospital, known to cater to foreigners who are in Cebu looking for special medical services,” said Hermosilla Irizari, RLC's group property manager for Cebu.
To better promote the medical floors, RLC has provided model units with a clinic layout which guests can consider. RLC takes care of the construction and preparation of the clinics. Space sizes start from 35 sqm and above. The last two floors are provided for BPO companies.
“In Cebu, there are about 35 BPO companies now operating and are looking for places to expand. These companies usually have strict specifications when it comes to leasing places. Some of their considerations are temperature, 24-hour service providers, security and accessibility of office. Robinsons Cybergate provides all that and more,” said Lourdes Alano, RLC VP for Lease. 
Robinsons Cybergate has a leasable area of 12,000 sqm, and went fully operational in December of 2009.
In the last quarter of 2012, RLC is expected to launch another major project – Robinsons Cebu Maxilom, a 27,000 sqm retail area that’s expected to be one of the key lifestyle hubs in the province.
The project will be located at the General Maxilom Avenue, North Reclamation Area, in Cebu City and will offer a mixed-use establishment that will feature a mall, a museum, al fresco dining spots, landscaped gardens and a new hotel.
The center will be located near the port area, major office buildings and jump-off points to other Cebu destinations. Future plans will also include spaces for residential buildings.
More information is at www.robinsonsland.com.