A few months ago, I had the chance to visit the Mahi Center, an upcoming business and lifestyle hub situated at the heart of Lapu-Lapu City in Cebu, dubbed as the queen city of the South.
I visited the construction site. Construction was still ongoing but you could tell early on that the development is sure to be a major landmark in the city.
Thus, the people of Cebu can look forward to a mixed-use development that will have retail, offices and even a hotel.
More importantly, Mahi Center comes from the AppleOne Group, a trailblazer in the property development industry in the Visayas and Mindanao region.
It’s a group to watch out for. I can say this because I’ve sat down with AppleOne president and CEO Ray Manigsaca and his wife Venus months ago. I learned about the group’s humble beginnings and journey to success.
Under AppleOne’s belt are renowned developments such as The Residences at Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort and Sheraton Cebu Mactan Resort.
On Mahi Center, the company said: Mahi Center is AppleOne’s first mixed-use development designed by Philippine renowned architects ArchiGlobal as a gateway to the Mactan Economic Zone.
It is an architectural marvel comprising a five-story office tower that will seamlessly integrate IT facilities, meticulously designed office spaces for companies and BPOs to cater to the demand for more employment opportunities in Cebu, and commercial and retail ventures. Strategically situated in the Mactan Economic Zone and near the Mactan-Cebu International Airport, Mahi Center stands as AppleOne’s pioneering venture into Lapu-Lapu City’s thriving IT sector. It will offer direct access to the boutique shopping mall that will feature a well-curated retail experience with local and foreign brands to satisfy the different needs of the communities and businesses within the area, a major supermarket chain, coffee shops, and anchor food brands.
The center will also have Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan, a nine-floor premier global business hotel with 196 rooms for occupancy, 3 meeting rooms and 1 function room operated by the world’s largest operator of hotels, Marriott International. The hotel will cater to the influx of vacation and business travelers, designed to deliver an inviting and effortless experience for guests.
Mahi Center is inspired by coral patterns, with gently sloping perforated metal skin encasing the oval high atrium marking the entrance to the office and the mall, which creates a distinguishing feature for the development. Sinuous bands of glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) wrapped around every floor of the buildings harmonizes the look of the whole complex. The complex is provided with landscape areas located on various floors to provide users with a connection to nature at all times.
Going beyond just the aesthetics, the design of the building placed great importance on sustainability features. Building orientation to avoid solar heat gain was considered. Spaces with low occupant loads were located in areas of the building where sun exposure could not be avoided. Materials such as double-glazed windows, low-flow bathroom fixtures, as well as energy-efficient equipment were used to reduce water and energy consumption. The sustainability consideration extended to the development’s landscape areas. Native or naturalized trees and shrubs were chosen to minimize the water and maintenance requirements.
Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan’s design exudes a calm and inviting aesthetic with warm color palettes, and a smart and straightforward design philosophy that speaks of balance and harmony. The use of natural materials and color tones throughout, emphasizes a strong outdoor and indoor connection, and is a tribute to the brand’s origins of the Fairfield Farm. The design takes inspiration from its natural surroundings, delivering the beauty of simplicity for guests who appreciate a calming and reliable experience. The front desk is a focal point on arrival facilitating a stress-free check-in. The welcoming lounge and public areas provide relaxed seating arrangements for guests to relax, meet and connect with other travelers. Guests can expect a harmonious balance of functionality, comfort and enriching décor in natural materials and carefully selected amenities.
AppleOne’s mastery in the development arena is cemented by their newest milestone at the 11th PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards held on September 22, 2023. Even prior to its official launch, Mahi Center is already gaining recognition as it not only earned the recognition as the Best Mixed Use Architectural Design in the country, but also received high commendations in the Best Mixed Use Development category. This recognition is a testament to AppleOne Properties’ dedication to crafting exceptional spaces that seamlessly blend local aesthetics with global standards.
PropertyGuru also acknowledged the outstanding contribution of AppleOne to the hospitality industry with high commendations for their Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan as Best Hotel Development.
Congratulations to the AppleOne Group!