Araneta Center eyes top brands as locators

MANILA, Philippines – Araneta Center, Quezon City’s thriving commercial and business district, is set to attract top global and local brands as locators to be part of its P35-billion redevelopment plan. 

Envisioned to be a constantly evolving commercial and business district hub by Don J. Amado Araneta during the 1950s, the Araneta Center aspires to be home to primary brands ranging from shopping centers, dining hubs, entertainment areas, residential and hospitality options.

According to Rowell Recinto, management consultant of the Araneta Group, the center’s strategy of attracting top brands has already started since the redevelopment plan began in 2003. Recently, Novotel, the first four-star international business and leisure hotel in Quezon City opened at the Center as well as the launch of the two-story H&M store at the Gateway Mall. The Center is also host to top BPO brands Telus, Accenture and Teletech, among others.

Additionally, the completion of Kia Theater, which aims to reclaim its title as the country’s premier performing arts venue, features spaces ideal for al fresco dining establishments.

“The Araneta Center is a national destination for top brands because of the heavy daily consumer traffic which is a huge advantage for consumers and corporate brands. This is a strategy that actually started in 2003. There’s change brewing and that change is not going to stop. As a matter of fact, we’re trying to accelerate the change,” says Recinto.

The redevelopment plan will also see the completion of the 18-tower Manhattan Garden City, BPO complex, a nature park and the second phase of its award-winning Gateway Mall.  

The 18-tower Manhattan Garden City already has five towers completed. It comprises of Manhattan Parkway, Manhattan Parkview, Manhattan Heights and Manhattan Plaza which offers residents a relaxing hub in the middle of a concrete jungle that is Metro Manila. As the first of its kind, residents will enjoy its outstanding recreational amenities such as its swimming pools, jogging trails, zen gardens and reflexology paths. Another addition to Manhattan Garden City’s phenomenal structures are the garden walkway which will link all the buildings and bridge-links that will connect the 18 towers to the rest of Araneta Center.

After its major upgrade, the CyberPark Towers will be a BPO Complex featuring five master-planned BPO-primed, purpose-designed towers surrounding a lush, landscaped park.

Featuring a wide, outdoor concourse with greenery, the soon-to-rise 60-story Civic Plaza is envisioned to be like the Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. An open space amidst the buildings and a place for the public where events can be held, Civic Plaza will definitely be an iconic addition to Araneta Center’s redevelopment plan.

Completing the 1.1 million square meters of shopping area is Gateway Mall 2. Along with the award-winning Gateway Mall, Gateway Mall 2 is an upscale mall which will offer an array of stores fit for every customer’s distinct taste. The Gateway Mall 2 is set to open its doors mid 2016.