By Monsi A. Serrano
Photos by Junnel Animo
Not resting on its laurels in their multi-awarded Gateway Mall, Araneta City, the City of Firsts, rolls out a ceremonial topping off for the much-awaited expansion of The New Gateway, held last Tuesday, February 11, 2020.
Brandishing a totally different concept, The New Gateway is offering a unique lifestyle and community experience at the heart of Metro Manila.
This eight-storey mall will complete the revitalized Gateway Square – a mixed-use complex that features the Smart Araneta Coliseum, Novotel Manila, Gateway Tower, Parking Garage South Building, and the soon-to-open ibis Styles Hotel in a fully integrated development that provides synergies in shopping, dining, entertainment, hospitality, business, amenities, and experiences all tied together by excellent connectivity and access.
Present at the topping off ceremony were Araneta City’s Management Committee, management consultant Rowell Recinto, Megawide Construction Corporation Deputy Head for Construction Engr. Frederick Tan, AVP for Operations Engr. Romeo Furigay, designer Rex Ocampo of Aidea Philippines, and AMCON construction managers led by Mr. Roy Racelis.
Also present were the reigning Binibining Pilipinas Queens (Binibining Pilipinas – Megawide and Binibining Pilipinas – International Patch Magtanong, Miss Universe Philippines Gazini Ganados, Binibining Pilipinas – Globe Leren Mae Bautista, Binibining Pilipinas – Intercontinental Emma Mary Tiglao, Binibining Pilipinas – Supranational Resham Saeed, and Binibining Pilipinas – Grand International Aya Abesamis) who joined the topping off ceremony.
Depth and Breadth of Choices
The 190,000 square meters New Gateway will offer both breadth and depth of choices for fashion & accessories, dining, entertainment, nightlife, leisure & wellness, and gadgets & gaming. Local and international brands will populate over 400 shops and more than 100 restaurants and food choices. The New Gateway will also feature 18 cinemas and a 3,700-square meter supermarket.
Dining options will cater to families and friends looking for quick bites, family fare, traditional comfort food, concept restaurants, regional cuisine, and bars and lounges. Shopping fare will start with the essentials and range up to high fashion with casual and activewear in between to suit the different market segments.
Ambitious but Achievable Legacy
Speaking to THEPHILBIZNEWS, Rowell Recinto, Senior Management Consultant of Araneta City revealed that The New Gateway project is truly different.
“When this is completed hopefully by the last quarter of 2020, you will be amazed by the transformation we will have here. As you know, many are already surprised by the development in the Araneta City,” Recinto explained.
“We are all excited, and we cannot wait for the time when we will inaugurate and open The New Gateway. There are two hotels, the Novotel and Ibis, then the ShopWise will also be transformed. The access in the various Gates of the Smart Araneta Coliseum and trust me, no one would ever imagine what they will see when the project is completed,” the Senior official of the Araneta City added.
When asked how much is the investment cost, Recinto said it was a whopping 3 billion pesos. It’s an ambitious project… a legacy that the Araneta family will leave for the Filipino people. How the old Cubao, which was the first entertainment capital of Manila, is transformed into a one Araneta City where everything you need is here, Recinto added.
“We designed in such a way that our clients will not have a problem woth accessibility and connectivity, that is what we considered in the development of The New gateway. We want The New Gateway to be different,” Recinto concluded.
Packaged for Unique Experiences
The New Gateway will offer a modern and contemporary experience in a unique and engaging mall design with shopping, dining, entertainment, and amenities areas thoughtfully designed for convenience and easy navigation.
The New Gateway will provide opportunities for a break from the routine. An iconic 500-seat air-conditioned chapel will be opened to the public, as well as a 700 square-meter Atrium for events like product launches, runway shows, performances and many more.
There will also be the Gateway Gallery for art lovers, an open-air Topiary Park, an air-conditioned Oasis floating park, and gardens where guests can have their own personal time.
Skybridges and footpaths will connect The New Gateway to the other areas of Gateway Square and the Araneta City. Mall visitors will not find parking a problem, as the parking garages of Gateway Square will have 3,000 parking slots.
Ultimate Accessibility and Connectivity
Araneta City, the home of the New Gateway, is conveniently accessible from the metropolis’ main road arteries EDSA, Aurora Boulevard, and P. Tuazon Boulevard in Quezon City and the MRT3 and LRT2. In addition, Araneta City serves as a hub for other transport systems such as jeepney, UV express, provincial buses, and airport shuttle services.
The New Gateway is expected to open its doors to the public in the last quarter of 2020.
