THE soon to open P5.2-billion Ayala Malls Capitol Central along Gatuslao Street, at the back of the Provincial Capitol Building, in Bacolod City is positioned to showcase the best of the city alongside global brands on Friday, December 14.
Ayala Malls deputy head Mariana Zobel de Ayala, said on Wednesday, December 12, the company’s latest mall development in the province is the perfect location for every Negrense to celebrate small winnings, mark major milestones, and have intimate gatherings.
Zobel de Ayala said Negrenses can come together and bond with their families in the mall. Here, they can break bread and worship, rekindle old friendships and maybe even old flames, she added.
“Perhaps, together, we can make amazing experiences happen,” she said.
“We are happy to bring Negrenses a holistic experience that is intimate and relaxing amidst the hectic city buzz,” she added.
The seven-level commercial establishment is also poised to strengthen the tradition of the Negrenses by showcasing the best home-grown concepts.
During the media tour on Wednesday, the firm took pride that the interior design including paintings on the mall’s wall were made by local artists.
Its Central Bazaar, an incubator to support start-up businesses will hosts 72 Bacolod-based merchants, who are small and medium enterprises.
Of the P5.2 billion total project cost, P5 billion accounts for the mall development.
The remaining P200 million is intended for integrated business process outsourcing (BPO), excluding the investments of individual-tenants.
“We enhance shopping experience through an extensive mix of local and global offerings,” it added.
Ayala Land Incorporated, noted that Bacolod City has come a long way from being the gateway to the Hacienda Sugarlandia of Negros Island to becoming one of the fastest growing service and BPO hubs in the country.
The City of Smiles’ portfolio as a leading information technology and consumer driven-development hub gets another boost through the development, the developer said.
“Accessible via private and public transportation, Ayala Malls Capitol Central stands at the heart of the second most populous city in the Visayas dubbed as one of the most business-friendly and most livable in the country,” it added.
For her part, Jennylle Tupaz, head of Ayala Malls Group, said that the development aims to further foster economic expansion in its immediate locale and the greater Metro Bacolod.
Tupaz said situated at the city’s kilometer zero, besides the historic Provincial Capitol Lagoon, the mall is truly in a prime location. It will be a thriving center for convergence in terms of commerce, business, and leisure.
“With Ayala Malls Capitol Central, we bring our trademark commitment to sustainable and inclusive economic development in order to improve the quality of life of Filipino communities,” she added.
Moreover, among the key features of the mall include The Corte, a lush garden plaza anchored by a fountain for an inviting al fresco experience; Fiesta Negrense, a showcase of the best homegrown concepts; Concierge by Sason; and Mosaic by Millie Kilayko and the artisans of the Negrense Volunteers for Change Foundation.
It also features benches, plant boxes, and security tables by Sonia’s; fiesta market tables and chairs by Art Energy; Murals by Team Creativo and Association of Negros Artists; show display windows by the Association of Negros Producers; and a chapel, a first for a mall in Bacolod with regular Sunday masses at 11 a.m.
On its fourth floor, friends and families may unwind and dine in the cinemas and dining offerings at Food Choices.
Meanwhile, activities lined up for the month include Festival of Lights on December 15, James Reid Right There Concert on December 16, Dance Pull Ballet Christmas Concert on December 18, DOT: Kaon Ta! on December 19 to 21, Awit at Laro on December 22, Music Central Presents: December Avenue on December 23, and Community Recitals: Vocal Workouts and Sunday Fam Day! on December 29 and 30, respectively.