Leading property developer Megaworld unveiled earlier today the latest development at its Mactan Newtown township, a first-of-its-kind “beach mall”, The Mactan Newtown Beach Walk.
As a resident of Mactan myself, I was the most elated to hear the news that finally, we will have a full-fledged mall by a reputable developer.
Cover photo: Megaworld chief strategy officer Kevin Tan and ASEC Development and Construction Corporation chairman Gerry Esquivel reveal the artist’s perspective of The Mactan Beachwalk during the press conference earlier today
The Mactan Newtown Beachwalk will be a two-level mall with a total gross floor area of 30,000 square meters. Construction is slated to begin by the end of the year, and completion is expected in 2021, just in time for the 500th year of the Battle of Mactan.
Here are SEVEN reasons why Cebuanos should look forward to The Mactan Newtown Beachwalk:
1. It will be scenic
The Mactan Newtown Beach Walk will be built on a shoreline cliff, to be highlighted by a man-made lagoon at its center. The lagoon will have floating boardwalks and a bridge that will connect both sides of the mall. With a maximum depth of around 1.5-meters, it can also serve as venue for future water sports activities such as jet ski, wakeboarding, stand-up paddling, and boating. The possibilities are beautiful.
It will also have its own man-made shoreline at its perimeter. Check out the artist’s perspective below.
2. It will have its own hotel
The mall complex will have a three-level boutique hotel with 48 rooms, to be operated under the Megaworld Hotels brand.
3. It will have cinemas
The mall will have four state-of-the art cinemas. Residents of Lapu-Lapu City and tourists won’t have to cross a bridge to watch a movie in a world-class facility.
4. It will have a chapel
For the perfect reflective mood, the mall’s chapel will be built by the Cliffside overlooking the sea, surrounded by a garden.
5. More than just a mall
The Mactan Newtown Beach Walk, which will be operated under the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls brand, will have a Food Hall, al fresco areas, Traveler’s Lounge, and a view deck, affording visitors panoramic views of the sea and nearby islands. It is not the typical box-type mall as it will be composed of rows of retail shops, about half of which will be food and beverage outlets.
6. It will be a “green” development
Consistent with their commitment to sustainability, Megaworld will use solar roof panels for this new mall, and will utilize an open layout scheme for passive cooling and natural lighting in most of the development’s common areas.
Around 40% of the entire development will be dedicated to green and open spaces. “We will even have some untouched areas for bike trails, airsoft shooting, and tree-top activities. This part of the Mactan Newtown is abundantly surrounded with trees, and we want to keep them,” Kevin Tan, Megaworld chief strategy officer shared.
7. Cali feels in Cebu
Tan added that, “Megaworld Lifestyle Malls is bringing a fresh, new concept of mall development in Cebu that recreates and innovates the beach lifestyle experience. We take inspiration from some iconic coastline commercial developments in South California, where visitors can enjoy coffee, meet friends over lunch or dinner, watch a movie, or simply shop around in this laid-back beach atmosphere.”
Megaworld will spend P1.5-billion to build the Mactan Newtown Beach Walk, and I can’t wait for it to open!