A major retail and lifestyle development is set to rise in Mandaue City with the launch of Ayala Malls Gatewalk, a 56,000-square-meter mixed-use complex that will house the first IKEA store in the Visayas.
Announced on June 10, 2026, the project inside Ayala Land’s Gatewalk estate in Barangay Subangdaku is expected to become one of the region’s key commercial destinations when it opens in December 2026.
The four-level, air-conditioned mall will be integrated with an office tower and a transport hub, forming part of a broader mixed-use development designed to combine retail, dining, entertainment, and daily services.
Ayala Malls said Gatewalk will go beyond traditional retail, positioning itself as an experiential destination with curated spaces, interactive features, and community-oriented design.
The mall will be anchored by IKEA’s first store in the Visayas and its second-largest in the country outside Metro Manila.
The Swedish home furnishings retailer will occupy around 4,000 square meters and offer approximately 2,500 products, along with 41 showroom setups showcasing home design concepts.
“Opening a store in Mandaue City Cebu, at Ayala Malls Gatewalk, is a truly important milestone for us,” said Ricardo Pinheiro, IKEA Philippines Country Retail Manager, citing Cebu’s strong market potential and design culture.
Aside from IKEA, the development will feature a bi-level food hall, a Shopwise supermarket, and two cinemas.
It will also include a central outdoor courtyard with a large play structure inspired by a Cebu natural icon, and an ARTrium interactive digital corridor at the main entrance.
Ayala Malls Chief Operating Officer Paul Birkett said the project reflects the company’s vision of building experiential, community-centered destinations, while Ayala Land officials underscored Cebu’s role as a major growth center in the Visayas.
“This is a meaningful milestone for Ayala Land, and for our continuing commitment to Cebu,” said Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Ayala Land Senior Vice President and Head of Leasing and Hospitality.
The Mandaue City Government welcomed the project, describing IKEA’s entry into the Visayas as a significant economic development for both the city and the region.
Mayor Thadeo “Jonkie” Ouano said the investment is expected to generate employment, stimulate local economic activity, and increase tourism and consumer choices in the Visayas.
“The arrival of IKEA’s first store in the Visayas is a significant development not only for Mandaue but for the entire region. It will create jobs, stimulate economic activity, attract more visitors and provide greater convenience and choices for families across the Visayas,” Ouano said.
He also thanked IKEA and Ayala Land for choosing Mandaue as a strategic investment site, saying it reflects confidence in the city’s location, workforce, and business environment.
Ouano reiterated the local government’s commitment to support investors and maintain a business-friendly climate through streamlined services and stronger public-private partnerships.
“As your local government we remain committed to creating a business-friendly environment through efficient services, ease of doing business and strong partnerships with the private sector,” he said.
City officials present during the announcement included City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo “Sally” Malig-on Jr. and other local government representatives, alongside executives from IKEA Philippines and Ayala Land.
The development is expected to further position Mandaue City as a key commercial and retail hub in Central Visayas once fully operational.
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