AYALA MALLS NUVALI opened its three-level expansion in Santa Rosa, Laguna, south of Metro Manila, on Thursday, with 75% of its retail spaces already leased, as the mall operator broadened its dining, retail, and entertainment offerings. The opening lease rate leaves roughly a quarter of the retail space still to be filled, with more openings expected through 2027.

The expansion features a higher proportion of food and beverage establishments, a shift that Ayala Malls Chief Operating Officer Paul Birkett attributed to changing consumer spending patterns.

Speaking at a media briefing on Thursday, Mr. Birkett said consumers have become more selective about their purchases, prompting the mall operator to adjust its tenant mix.

“People are more intentional about how they spend their money,” he said.

The new wing houses additional retail and dining establishments, along with a rooftop deck, a skylit atrium, and the Chapel of St. Padre Pio. A multilevel parking facility provides more than 1,000 additional parking slots.

The existing mall and the new building are linked by the one-kilometer Nuvali Greenway, which features landscaped areas and outdoor dining spaces. A two-level Troopers Food Hall is scheduled to open along the Greenway in the first quarter of 2027.

Mr. Birkett said the operator had deliberately increased the space devoted to food and beverage to reflect consumer preferences.

“So there will be a much higher proportion of food and beverage as well. We know food and beverage is very close to the hearts of customers, so we’ve increased the amount of that,” he said.

The expansion introduces several international and local brands to the area, with ABC-Mart, Nitori, and Chagee making their debut in the southern part of Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

Dining options include Wildflour, Nikkei, Shake Shack, and Harlan Coffee, with One World Deli expected to follow in 2027. Fashion retailers at the development include Coach, Kate Spade, Lacoste, Banana Republic, Gap, Calvin Klein, and Maison Margiela.

Home and furniture offerings come from Anko, Ashley, and Kare Design, while Abenson operates an electronics store on the third floor. A dedicated children’s entertainment area features Timezone, Toys”R”Us, and Kidsventure, alongside wellness establishments Belo, The Spa, and Kinetix.

Mr. Birkett said the expansion was intended to give residents of Santa Rosa and nearby communities a wider range of retail, dining, and recreational options.

The Nuvali Lakeside area offers boat rides and other recreational activities, while the nearby Pangea Science Museum provides an additional attraction. A bird-inspired outdoor playground is scheduled to open at a later date. Together, the outdoor dining on the Greenway, the Lakeside activities, and the coming playground extend the draw beyond shopping, making the area a combined retail-and-leisure destination.

At the local bourse on Thursday, shares of Ayala Land, Inc. fell 0.13% to close at P15.32 apiece.

— Alexandria Grace C. Magno

Source: BusinessWorld