CEBU CITY — Minutes from the tarmac of Mactan-Cebu International Airport, a new mixed-use destination has officially opened its doors, marking a significant stride in the evolution of the island's real estate landscape. AppleOne Group formally launched Mahi Center on April 15, 2026, a project that masterfully blends a lifestyle mall, a corporate office tower, and the first Marriott-branded city hotel on the island. This strategic convergence of retail, office, and hospitality within a PEZA-accredited zone is poised to redefine property values and investment appeal in one of the Philippines' most dynamic growth corridors.
An Integrated Ecosystem Takes Root
Mahi Center is more than a collection of buildings; it is a blueprint for the modern, live-work-play ecosystem that global investors and top-tier talent increasingly demand. Located in Barangay Ibo, the development sits at the heart of the Mactan Economic Zone, just a two- to three-minute drive from the country’s second-busiest airport gateway. The property’s 52,000 square meters of gross floor area are divided into three distinct but interconnected components: a three-level boutique lifestyle mall curating local and international brands, a five-floor office tower designed for modern enterprises, and the 196-room Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan.
This integration creates a powerful real estate multiplier effect. For office tenants, proximity to retail, dining, and hotel accommodations is a key recruitment and retention tool. For retail operators, the steady foot traffic from office workers and hotel guests ensures consistent activity. The hotel, in turn, benefits from corporate accounts and business travelers based in the adjacent office tower and surrounding economic zone.
Office Market Momentum: 60% Pre-Committed
The real estate market has responded with remarkable speed to the project’s value proposition. Even before its formal launch, the office component—covering approximately 7,200 square meters—had already reached nearly 60% occupancy. AppleOne Group’s executive vice president for finance and operations, Leif P. Bajarias, noted that the company is committed to leasing most of that space to IT-BPM and BPO companies, which tend to be stable, long-term tenants.
The office tower is being leased on a per-floor basis to corporate support offices, a strategy that fosters more integrated and efficient operations for tenants. Final negotiations are ongoing for the last two floors, with tenants already building out their spaces. This strong pre-commitment rate is a powerful indicator of corporate confidence in the Mahi Center location and its ability to support business operations.
A Hospitality Anchor for Business and Leisure
The Fairfield by Marriott Cebu Mactan, which had its soft opening in December 2025, serves as the project’s hospitality anchor. The nine-story hotel features 196 rooms, three meeting rooms, and one function room, specifically designed to cater to both business and leisure travelers. Since its soft opening, the hotel has reported steady occupancy levels, demonstrating consistent demand for quality accommodations in this strategic location.
The property also debuts “DAVOS,” an all-day dining restaurant inspired by the Cebuano word “dabos,” meaning abundance, which celebrates the region’s rich marine biodiversity. With seating for up to 87 guests and a menu blending authentic Filipino tastes with international favorites, DAVOS adds a critical amenity for both hotel guests and the wider community.
A New Benchmark for Investment
The launch of Mahi Center sends a strong signal to the real estate market about the maturation of Mactan as a prime investment destination. By integrating retail, office, and hospitality within a PEZA-accredited zone, the project has created a self-contained economic engine. For property investors, this translates into diversified income streams and a more resilient asset.
Lapu-Lapu City Mayor Cynthia King-Chan, who attended the grand launch alongside Congressman Ahong Chan and PEZA Director General Tereso Panga, highlighted the project’s significance. Mahi Center “strengthens our position not only as a tourism destination but also as a center for business, enterprise, and opportunity,” she said, noting its potential to generate jobs, support local businesses, and stimulate economic activity. PEZA Director General Panga further emphasized the importance of “ecosystem readiness” for global investors, with Mahi Center serving as a prime example of a development where companies can “live, work, learn and play”.
A Long-Term Bet on Cebu's Growth
AppleOne Group President and CEO Ray Go Manigsaca framed the project as a long-term investment in Mactan’s economic future, shaped by stakeholder consultations and an assessment of the area’s growth trajectory. The company is also concurrently developing a JW Marriott Panglao Island Resort in Bohol and a mixed-use project in Cagayan de Oro, signaling sustained confidence in the Visayas-Mindanao region.
Mahi Center is more than a new building; it is a validation of the integrated, mixed-use model for the Mactan market. As the island continues to attract tourism and investment, this development is poised to shape its role as both a lifestyle destination and a center for enterprise activity, setting a new benchmark for what modern real estate in Cebu can achieve.
