Mandaue City — Ayala Malls today announced a major expansion of its retail footprint in the Visayas with the opening of Ayala Malls Gatewalk, a 56,000-square-meter mall and lifestyle destination located within Ayala Land’s master-planned Gatewalk estate in Mandaue City.
Set to open in December 2026, Ayala Malls Gatewalk will be a four-level, air-conditioned complex connected to an office tower and a public transport hub. Designed to serve Cebu’s growing residential, office, and visitor markets, the mall will bring together retail, dining, entertainment, and community spaces within one integrated development.
Ayala Malls Gatewalk will be anchored by IKEA, marking the Swedish home furnishings retailer’s first store in Cebu and the wider Visayas. Spanning around 4,000 square meters, IKEA will offer its full range of well-designed, functional, and affordable home solutions to one of the country’s most dynamic regional markets.
The mall will also feature a strong line-up of global and local brands, including new dining formats, a Shopwise supermarket, and two regular cinemas. Its design will include a central outdoor courtyard with a playful large-scale feature, as well as the ARTrium, an interactive digital art hallway from the main entrance.
“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,” said Paul Birkett, Ayala Malls Chief Operating Officer. “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.”
“This is a significant milestone for Ayala Land,” added Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Land Senior Vice President and Head of Leasing and Hospitality. “The unveiling of Ayala Malls Gatewalk, together with the arrival of IKEA in Cebu, reflects our long-term commitment to this fast-growing region. Our mission has always been to build with purpose, creating dynamic, future-ready destinations within our integrated estates that inspire and uplift communities. Ayala Malls Gatewalk brings that spirit to life by giving Cebuanos a place built for discovery, connection, and everyday enjoyment.”
With its mix of retail, dining, entertainment, and civic spaces, Ayala Malls Gatewalk is expected to strengthen Cebu’s retail and lifestyle landscape while supporting the continued growth of Gatewalk as a major urban center in the Visayas. Anchored by IKEA and integrated into a broader estate development, the mall represents a strategic investment in Cebu’s long-term growth and Ayala Land’s expanding recurring-income platform.
