Megaworld Lifestyle Malls gets a fresh new look with an updated logo. The new logo, unveiled in time for the developer’s 30th anniversary this year, epitomizes the company’s vision of making happiness a lifestyle.

“We want to make visually impactful changes to our logo as we look to establish a stronger brand identity and to better reflect Megaworld Lifestyle Malls’ strength as a pioneer and developer of lifestyle destinations that are unique in design and character,” said Kevin Tan, chief strategy officer of Megaworld.

The updated logo has a sleeker, brighter and more dynamic typeface. It is youthful and vibrant, with just the right elements to capture a new, younger market.

“We want to give the logo a much-needed fluidity and flexibility, and to have a resulting appeal that transcends age, identity and culture,” Tan said.

Multigenerational

Tan explained that the new logo will be relevant to multigenerational mall-goers and will further “strengthen their affinity with the Megaworld brand.” It will position Megaworld Lifestyle Malls as distinctive destinations that embrace diversity and inclusivity.

“We were the first mall developer to welcome pets of all shapes and sizes, and as we enter an ever-diverse world, our doors remain open to people from all walks of life, and we will continue to cater to all kinds of lifestyle,” he said.

Megaworld also announced its expansion plans in the coming years. Eight new malls and commercial centers are set to open in the next three years. Around 200,000 square meters of retail space will open up to 2022, in Cebu, Bacolod, Davao, Boracay, Cavite and Pampanga.

“Our goal is to have a mall in each township that we have. And in every lifestyle mall, we will always help and support local entrepreneurs in that area to flourish and build their businesses with us,” Tan said.

To date, Megaworld offers more than 700,000 sqm of retail space. Two years from now, that number will hit more than a million sqm of retail space, said Graham Coates, first vice president and head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.

“We will spend P10 billion in development. Each new mall will have a unique character and vibe, particular to the city we are developing. Each will have its own charm and identity,” Coates said.

He added that Maple Grove Mall, for instance, opening in General Trias, Cavite, will be greenhouse-inspired, surrounded by trees and gardens, a complement to the green vibe of the Maple Grove township. Northill Town Center in Northill Gateway, Bacolod City, will feature a “hacienda-style” town center that Negros is known for.

Mall culture

“We already have 17 existing lifestyle malls. We are constantly reviewing performances and improving them in terms of design. You have to reinvent yourself constantly, so every two to three years we renovate or bring in new tenants,” Coates said.

The mall culture is still very much alive in the country. In other parts of the world, like the United States and Europe, it is common to find “dead malls,” malls that have been abandoned by their developers when they lost their customers to e-shopping.

“If in Europe you have the pubs, in the Philippines, you have the mall. A mall is a place where people meet and get together, so malls here haven’t reached the tipping point yet,” Coates said. “Besides, Filipinos are very tactile. They want to see it, to feel it, and to touch it.”

Megaworld Lifestyle Malls is not your typical boxed mall, Coates said. They curate and make it more interesting. Its dining and nightlife offerings, for example, are bigger than the traditional mall.

“We are very pet-friendly—that’s one of our niches. Now everybody’s got a pet, each treated as a member of the family,” Coates said.

Among the flagship malls under the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls brand are Eastwood Mall in Quezon City; Uptown Mall, Venice Grand Canal and Forbes Town in Taguig City; Newport Mall at Resorts World Manila in Pasay City; Lucky Chinatown in Binondo, Manila; Southwoods Mall in Biñan, Laguna; and Festive Walk Mall in Iloilo City.

In 2018, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls rental revenues reached P5.5 billion, almost 40 percent of the company’s rental revenues last year.