Robinsons Galleria Cebu has catalyzed the development of the Cebu North Reclamation Area near Pier 4, with more condominium and commercial buildings rising in the vicinity after the mall opened.
The mall, which is Robinsons’ 3rd biggest mall after Robinsons Manila and Robinsons Galleria Ortigas, has also recorded higher foot traffic as its accessibility improved and more local or regional brands opened over the last three years.
As of September 13, 2019, Robinsons Galleria Cebu (RGC) was about 92% occupied, much higher than the 60% to 70% occupancy rate when the mall opened on December 10, 2015, according to Floramie Adolfo, senior regional operations manager for Central and Eastern Visayas of Robinsons Land Corporation.
Robinsons Land is the property development arm of the Gokongwei-led JG Summit Holdings, Inc.
Seven more shops and facilities are expected to open in the last three months of the year. These are the hotel gym of Summit Galleria Hotel, Cebu Pacific, Wei Renal Dialysis Center, Belle Lumier Aesthetic, Psalm Medical Center, Kizuna Skin Clinic and Huawei.
Also expected to open are satellite offices at the mall are the Land Transportation Office and National Bureau of Investigation, which will form part of the existing Lingkod Pinoy Center one-stop shop for government offices.
Adolfo said they hope to bring in more tenants, including local and regional brands.
“It’s going to be a mix. When we curate the tenant mix, there has to be a good balance in terms of quality but still aligned with the development for the mall,” Adolfo said at the sidelines of a press conference on updates about the mall.
The master development plan for the mall allocates a certain percentage for each category of tenants. Adolfo said they are guided by this plan in pursuing some prospective tenants.
Among the local and regional brands at the mall are The Buzzz Cafe of Bohol Bee Farm from Panglao Island in Bohol, Sansrival from Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental, Byron’s Ribs from Bacolod City in Negros Occidental, and Sunzibar Saboroso from Cebu.
Other brands from Cebu are Wingers Unlimited, Munchery, House of Lechon, The Chocolate Chamber and Abaca.
The mall being owned by John Gokongwei, Jr., who was born and raised in Cebu, Adolfo said even their events are geared towards promoting local talents.
New tenants that opened just in 2019 include the G-Force Studio, Savoura, Max’s, Ikkousha, Chachago, Forever Young, Adidas, Penshoppe, Sunnies Specs, Sunnies Studios, Maxicare and My Health.
Adolfo declined to reveal the foot traffic figures, but said the number had doubled since December 2015, especially since free bus rides from one Robinsons mall to another were introduced and MyBus units of the SM Group made RGC a regular stopover.
Public utility jeepneys and the Beep modern jeepneys also ply routes near RGC.
The mall serves as the centerpiece of a masterplanned mixed-use development called the Galleria Complex on a 4.6-hectare property along General Maxilom Avenue, Cebu City.
Attached and linked to the mall through the 3rd and 4th floors are the business process outsourcing (BPO) offices of Sykes and PMAX Hotel with a combined workforce of more than 2,000.
Also linked to the mall through the ground and 4th levels is the Summit Galleria Hotel, flagship hotel of the Gokongwei Group.
Under construction behind the mall are three residential condominium towers, the first of which is targeted to be completed in 2021, Adolfo said.
In the vicinity are new commercial establishments that opened after the mall, a condominium building, and a higher educational institution, among others.
The mall, which lies across the entrance to Pier 4, was envisioned to attract sea travelers from the other parts of the Visayas as well as from Mindanao.
“Our proximity to the pier is a very strategic location that offers travelers a comfortable respite either when they arrive from or are waiting for their trip. This also comes handy for last minute pasalubong shopping,” Adolfo said. (Ventures Cebu)