In photos: What's inside the new Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City?
MANILA, Philippines — The Araneta Group completes its Gateway Square complex with the launch of the new Gateway Mall 2 and the soon-to-open Ibis Styles Manila Hotel in Araneta City. The expansion offers eleven more levels of choices for shopping, dining, entertainment and leisure in the City of Firsts.
"The new Gateway Mall 2 is an eight-level mall. It has a hundred escalators and 10 elevators. It is part of the 35-hectare 'City of Firsts' master plan. We no longer put Cubao in our references. We've set out of the notions of Cubao. This is because of its bad/negative reputation. So we call ourselves Araneta City. The Shopwise area will rise like the Rockefeller Park in New York. In October, Fiesta Carnival will be operational again," shared vice president for Leasing Lorna Fabian during a media tour of the new mall.
The new mall enhances Araneta City's breadth and depth with choices in fashion and accessories, recreation and entertainment, health and wellness and gadgets and gaming from local and international brands in over 400 outlets. It also expands the choices for quick bites, family fare, traditional comfort food, concept restaurants, regional cuisine and bars and lounges to over 150 dining options.
"Twelve of the 18 residential buildings were erected by Megaworld. There are more than 8,000 residents therein as of 2022 (and counting). 16.4 million people reach Araneta City via public transportation, especially from the LRT-2 and MRT-3 lines. There are also over 40,000 employees working therein," she added.
Fabian shared the foot traffic of the notable landmarks and establishments found in Araneta City. Smart Araneta Coliseum has a seating capacity of 20,000, while the New Frontier Theater can accommodate 2,385 patrons. Novotel, Parking Gate South and the cemented basement parking for 3,000 slots, the coliseum, Gateway Tower, the Gateway offices, Gateway Malls 1 and 2 and the soon-to-open Ibis Styles Hotel enclose Araneta City.
"We formally opened the second Gateway mall in September. One of our pride is the 700-square-meter LED Quantum SkyView. It boasts of a remarkable ceiling with a customized wave shape. Positioned above the mall's Upper Ground B, it is the largest activity area in any of the Araneta City malls as it creates a visual spectacle that astounds anyone who sees it," Fabian continued.
The Upper Ground levels are the Luxury Zones. Upper Ground A has shopping and food and beverage (F&B) concepts, while the Upper Ground B level features global brands and F&B outlets. Level 2 is all about health and wellness. Level 3 is the "Activetainment" area with the Olympic-sized Puyat bowling lanes. Level 4 has the Boquiera, the cineplex with 18 cinemas and the Healing Garden, while Level 5 has the Sensory Garden and the church, where rays from the skylight reflect on the floors in the afternoons.
"There are more 'green' spots and ponds, especially around the Culinary Garden. And the Sagrada Familia Church, that is painted in white, will comfortably seat a thousand church-goers," she said at the culmination of the tour.
His Eminence Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle presided over the church's inaugural mass and Eucharistic celebration.
The Gateway Square boasts of a bustling complex with two shopping malls, two office towers, two hotels, a parking building and a coliseum right at the very heart of Metro Manila. Gateway Malls is a member of the International Council of Shopping Centers.
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