Hubbry Logo
Ayala CenterAyala CenterMain
Open search
Ayala Center
Community hub
Ayala Center
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Ayala Center
Ayala Center
from Wikipedia

The Ayala Center is a 50-hectare (120-acre) mixed-use major commercial development operated by Ayala Land located in Barangay San Lorenzo within the Makati Central Business District in Makati, Metro Manila, Philippines. The complex comprises three shopping malls, three department stores, each with its own retail shops, restaurant arcades and cinemas, several hotels, eight residential towers, five office towers, four parking buildings, and leisure amenities such as the Greenbelt Park, Glorietta 3 Park, and the Ayala Museum, showcasing exhibits on Philippine history and art.[1]

Key Information

The Ayala Center is surrounded by Ayala Avenue, De la Rosa Street, and Legazpi Street to the north, Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA/C-4) to the east, Arnaiz Avenue to the south, and Paseo de Roxas to the west. The Ayala station of MRT Line 3 serves the area.[2]

History

[edit]
Aerial view of Glorietta in Ayala Center (2008)

Ayala Center's predecessors were the Makati Commercial Center and Greenbelt, originally an open-space park called Greenbelt Junction in the 1970s.[3]

The Makati Commercial Center, built in 1960, consisted of several small arcades (Maranaw Arcade, Makati Arcade, Angela Arcade, Lising's Commercial, Mayfair Center, Bricktown, Anson's), theaters (Rizal Theater and The Quad), freestanding retail outlets (including Makati Supermart, Sulo Restaurant, Automat Restaurant, Rustan's, Shoe Mart and Mercury Drug), open parks, and hotels (including Manila Garden Hotel and InterContinental Hotel Manila).[4][5] It was later renamed The Center Makati in the 1980s.[6] The Makati Supermart and Maranaw Arcade were razed by a fire in 1985, leading to their demolition and the opening of The Landmark on the latter's site in 1988.[7][8]

On the other hand, Greenbelt evolved from an open-space park known as Greenbelt Junction, which in the 1970s had an aviary and surrounding low-rise structures with dining establishments.[9][10] Additional developments in the 1980s include the Greenbelt Square, Fair Center, Greenbelt Arcade, a McDonald's branch, and Greenbelt Mall, which were later combined to form Greenbelt.[11]

In the 1990s, the Ayalas redeveloped The Center Makati by merging the existing Makati Commercial Center with the Greenbelt complex into a new 50-hectare (120-acre) development[1][12][13] and was renamed Ayala Center in 1991. Its redevelopment has been ongoing in phases since the late 2000s, which includes the renovation and expansion of Glorietta and Greenbelt malls and replacing old buildings and open parking spaces with new office buildings, residential towers, hotels, and the One Ayala complex, respectively.[14][15]

Facilities and tenants

[edit]

Shopping malls

[edit]

Department stores

[edit]

Parking facilities

[edit]

Aside from the basement parking beneath Glorietta (interconnected with Park Terraces and Terraces Square), Greenbelt, and One Ayala, respectively, the following are the carpark buildings located at the complex:

  • 6750 Steel Carpark
  • Park Square
  • Paseo Steel Carpark
  • The Link

Hotels

[edit]

Hotel InterContinental Manila was closed in 2015 and demolished shortly thereafter to make way for the redevelopment that is One Ayala.

Office buildings

[edit]
6750 Ayala Avenue

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Ayala Center is a 50-hectare mixed-use commercial development operated by , located in the of , . Developed as part of Ayala's expansion of the Makati Commercial Center in the , it integrates retail, office, hospitality, and recreational spaces into a cohesive urban hub. Key components include interconnected shopping malls such as , Greenbelt, and One Ayala, which offer upscale retail outlets, diverse dining options, cinemas, and event spaces. The complex also features prominent office towers, hotels like , and green areas including , fostering a pedestrian-friendly environment amid the financial district's skyscrapers. As Ayala Land's flagship project, it exemplifies integrated that supports business, lifestyle, and sustainability initiatives in one of Southeast Asia's premier economic centers.

History

Early Development (1950s–1970s)

The early development of Ayala Center traces back to the Makati Commercial Center, an initiative by to create a commercial hub at the intersection of and in the late 1950s. This open-air strip mall formed part of the broader master-planned mixed-use community in , which Ayala began shaping in the 1950s following the 1948 establishment of the adjacent Forbes Park residential enclave. By the , the center evolved into a structured complex with four quadrants encircling a , incorporating state-of-the-art cinemas such as the Rizal Theater, retail arcades, and dining options. A pivotal addition in 1969 was the Hotel InterContinental Manila, the district's inaugural five-star hotel, which underscored the area's growing prestige as a and destination. The late 1960s and early 1970s brought expansions including the first SM Department Store beyond proper and a outlet, diversifying retail amid rising demand. Paralleling this, the adjacent Greenbelt zone developed as an open-space park—known as Greenbelt Junction—featuring landscaped gardens, a , , , and event stage, fostering communal gatherings within the commercial framework. These enhancements by the decade's end positioned the site as Makati's nascent retail and social core, with additional structures filling former open areas to accommodate increasing foot traffic.

Expansion and Redevelopment (1980s–1990s)

In the 1980s, the complex underwent incremental enhancements to its retail and leisure components, including the development of Greenbelt areas featuring parks, arcades, and early retail outlets alongside entertainment options like bistros and discos. These additions built on prior open-air structures, aiming to create a more integrated urban oasis amid Makati's growing business district. A pivotal project commenced in 1988 with the redevelopment of , converting the site's 1970s-era open-air market into a fully enclosed, air-conditioned mall emphasizing improved pedestrian connectivity and transit-oriented design. The revamped opened in 1990, marking a shift toward modern retail standards with expanded shop spaces, cinemas, and dining facilities. The 1990s brought a broader and phased overhaul under the Ayala family's direction, transforming the longstanding Commercial Center into the unified Ayala Center through renovations of , Greenbelt, and adjacent zones like the original "Quads." Initial phases integrated legacy elements, such as the former Quad Theater and Square, into 1 and 2, fostering a cohesive mixed-use environment that boosted foot traffic and commercial viability during the decade's economic recovery.

Modern Developments (2000s–Present)

In the wake of the 2007 Glorietta bombing, Ayala Land undertook significant renovations to 1 and 2, rebuilding the structures with enhanced safety measures and modernizing the overall layout to restore and elevate the commercial complex's appeal. This initiative marked the beginning of phased redevelopments across Ayala Center, emphasizing integration of retail, office, and public spaces while preserving the district's role as Makati's commercial core. Concurrently, expansions to the Greenbelt malls progressed, with Greenbelt 3 and 4 incorporating upscale retail and dining options to cater to affluent consumers, solidifying the area's luxury positioning. The late 2000s and 2010s saw intensified mixed-use growth, including the 2009 unveiling of , which transformed underutilized land into landscaped parks flanked by office towers and retail podiums, boosting pedestrian connectivity and green amenities within the business district. A P28.5 billion redevelopment effort launched around 2012 introduced new high-rise office buildings, such as the Park Triangle Corporate Center, alongside luxury hotels like the Aloft Manila, expanding leasable office space by over 100,000 square meters and diversifying the tenant mix with multinational firms. Major projects continued with , a 2.8-hectare at Ayala Avenue's intersection with , where construction commenced in 2016 following the demolition of the hotel and adjacent parking facilities; its office towers reached substantial completion by late 2021, adding approximately 150,000 square meters of Grade A integrated with retail and transport hubs. In the 2020s, Ayala Land committed P13 billion to renovate its flagship and Greenbelt malls simultaneously, with groundwork beginning in early to refresh interiors, introduce experiential retail zones, and improve features; completion is targeted for 2027, aiming to counter pressures by enhancing integration and foot traffic through upgraded common areas. These efforts, alongside ongoing enhancements to ' greenery and pathways set for July 2025 finish, underscore a strategic focus on resilience, mixed-use synergy, and urban livability amid evolving consumer and economic dynamics.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Retail and Entertainment Venues

Ayala Center's retail landscape is anchored by the interconnected and Greenbelt mall complexes, which collectively house thousands of stores ranging from international fashion brands to local retailers. , a multi-level destination, emphasizes accessible with mid-tier apparel, , and outlets, complemented by extensive dining options and amenities. In 2025, its cinema facilities underwent significant upgrades, relaunching with seven screens including the premium A-Luxe Cinema equipped with motorized recliners, enhanced audiovisual technology, and spacious seating for improved viewer comfort. Greenbelt distinguishes itself with upscale retail focused on luxury goods, designer boutiques, and artisanal products, set within a 2.8-hectare open-air featuring cascading water elements and landscaped promenades that blend indoor with outdoor . The complex spans five sections, including enclosed areas for high-end stores and alfresco dining terraces hosting gourmet restaurants and cafes. Greenbelt 3 incorporates additional cinemas and leisure facilities, enhancing its appeal for entertainment seekers. Department stores such as The Landmark provide specialized retail for department-style shopping, including fashion, home goods, and groceries, integrated into the broader Ayala ecosystem. extends beyond cinemas to include arcades, play areas, and live events in common spaces, with dining venues offering diverse culinary experiences from fast-casual eateries to establishments across both malls. Avenue contributes supplementary retail and dining outlets, serving as a modern extension with updated directories for shopping and leisure activities.

Office and Commercial Buildings

The Ayala Center features several prominent office buildings integrated into its mixed-use urban framework, catering primarily to multinational corporations, financial institutions, and (BPO) firms within Makati's . These structures emphasize high-end amenities, features, and proximity to retail and transport hubs, contributing to the area's status as a prime commercial node. A key development is 6750 Ayala Avenue, a 24-story office-and-commercial tower offering approximately 28,330 square meters of gross leasable area across its floors, plus two basement levels for parking and utilities. Completed as part of 's portfolio, it serves as an enclave for corporate tenants seeking prestige and vibrancy in a column-free, modern workspace environment. Adjacent to the retail complex, the Glorietta 1 and 2 Corporate Centers comprise a seven-level BPO-focused office building situated atop the redeveloped mall , providing specialized spaces for call centers and back-office operations with direct pedestrian access to shopping and dining facilities. This integration supports efficient workflows for knowledge-based industries while leveraging the center's foot traffic. One Ayala represents a recent addition, encompassing two office towers—One Ayala East Tower and One Ayala Tower—within a 2.8-hectare site along , marking the first such structures visible from . Developed by and accredited by the (PEZA), these towers deliver over 10,660 square meters of leasable office space per building, featuring corporate-grade designs with retail bases to foster mixed-use synergy.

Hospitality and Residential Components

The hospitality components of Ayala Center primarily consist of luxury hotels and serviced residences integrated into the mixed-use district. The New World Makati Hotel, a 578-room luxury property located at the corner of Esperanza Street and , serves as a key hospitality anchor; acquired it in July 2025 to expand its portfolio in the . This acquisition aligns with 's strategy to grow its hospitality inventory, which includes properties offering business and leisure amenities proximate to the center's retail and office hubs. Additionally, Seda Residences Makati provides serviced apartments tailored for extended stays, situated in the CBD adjacent to Ayala Center malls, emphasizing convenience for professionals with access to on-site facilities like pools and fitness centers. Residential developments within Ayala Center's framework focus on high-end condominiums developed by Premier, blending urban living with proximity to commercial amenities. Park Terraces, a prime residential enclave launched as part of the master-planned Ayala Center , offers exclusive units with direct linkages to hotels, offices, and retail spaces, targeting affluent buyers seeking integrated enclaves. Similarly, Park Central Towers features timeless residences in a central location, incorporating elements and panoramic views to enhance livability amid the district's dense . These projects, averaging unit prices around 22 million in comparable areas, underscore Ayala Land's emphasis on upscale, vertically integrated communities that mitigate urban density through green spaces and security features.

Parking and Accessibility Features

Ayala Center offers extensive multi-level parking facilities integrated across its retail and commercial components, including dedicated structures such as the Paseo Steel Carpark, , and the 6750 Steel Carpark, which currently provides approximately 380 spaces and is slated for expansion to enhance capacity and connectivity. These parking areas support the high volume of daily visitors to the complex's malls like and Greenbelt, with rates adjusted as of July 16, 2025, to reflect updated pricing structures for weekdays and weekends. Accessibility for persons with disabilities is prioritized through features such as reserved priority parking spaces in mall lots, along with available wheelchairs for rent and designated seating areas to facilitate movement within the premises. The complex's central location in Makati's enhances overall access, with direct links to surrounding infrastructure. Public transportation integration bolsters accessibility, with the Ayala MRT Station on Line 3 providing underground connectivity immediately adjacent to the center, enabling efficient rail access from key points like and . Complementary bus and services converge nearby, while serves as a transit hub with routes linking to broader networks, including and local shuttles. These options reduce reliance on private vehicles amid the area's traffic congestion.

Economic and Social Impact

Contributions to Local and National Economy

Ayala Center functions as a pivotal commercial anchor in Makati's , driving local economic activity through high-volume retail transactions, office leasing, and ancillary services that generate substantial business taxes and fees for the city government. In 2023, Makati City achieved a of P1.18 trillion, the highest among Philippine cities, with significant contributions from the district's concentration of financial institutions, multinational firms, and consumer-oriented enterprises centered around the complex. The center's facilities, including and Greenbelt malls, facilitate daily foot traffic exceeding hundreds of thousands, stimulating demand for logistics, hospitality, and food services that amplify local multiplier effects in employment and supplier chains. On a broader scale, Ayala Center's operations integrate into Ayala Land's portfolio, which posted revenues of P21.1 billion in 2023, reflecting robust leasing and tenant sales that support collections and indirect economic spillovers nationwide. This segment's performance underscores the complex's role in bolstering the sector, a key driver of Philippine GDP growth, which reached 5.6% in amid sustained urban consumption. By attracting domestic and international brands, the center enhances efficiencies and fosters business ecosystem linkages, contributing to Ayala Corporation's overarching influence across , banking, and related industries that shape national productivity and investment flows.

Employment and Business Ecosystem

The Ayala Center, as the core of the (CBD), anchors a multifaceted encompassing , (BPO), retail, and operations. This district, predominantly developed by since the 1960s, hosts over 1,000 multinational corporations and serves as the headquarters for key Philippine financial institutions, including major banks and the along . The ecosystem supports high-value sectors like and BPO, which drive knowledge-based , while integrated retail and spaces facilitate ancillary services such as logistics and professional support firms. Employment within and around Ayala Center benefits from the district's scale, with the Makati CBD accommodating over 800,000 individuals daily across work, residential, and commercial activities as of 2025. Retail venues like and Greenbelt employ personnel in sales, , and maintenance roles for hundreds of tenants, including fashion outlets, dining establishments, and entertainment facilities, often prioritizing local hiring where feasible. Office components, such as and Ayala Triangle, provide premium spaces for corporate tenants, generating professional jobs in administration, IT, and executive functions. Ayala Land's strategy of embedding commercial hubs within estates has historically amplified job creation by drawing investments and fostering tenant ecosystems. The broader ecosystem extends to supporting enterprises, with Ayala initiatives like Alagang Ayala Land Centers aiding over 400 social ventures that collectively produce at least 4,000 community jobs as of 2021. Ayala Corporation's workforce planning emphasizes alignment with business growth, including for roles in its and allied sectors, though direct figures for Ayala Center remain integrated into the company's overall operations exceeding tens of thousands nationwide. This structure promotes economic multipliers, where retail and office synergies sustain and service jobs, contributing to Makati's status as a top generator despite challenges like urban congestion.

Urban Development and Cultural Role

The Ayala Center has been instrumental in the urban evolution of , converting former rice fields into a densely developed commercial and financial epicenter since its initial phases in the 1970s. By pioneering enclosed mixed-use retail complexes like , with redevelopment commencing in 1988 and completing major expansions by 2000, the center integrated shopping, offices, hotels, and over 5,000 parking spaces across approximately 2.8 million square feet, fostering high-density growth and infrastructure upgrades such as enhanced road networks and transit linkages. This development model, led by Ayala Land, Inc., established Makati's as a planned urban core in 1963, drawing multinational firms and elevating the area to the ' primary economic node. The center's emphasis on pedestrian-oriented design and green integration, including parks and open spaces, has modeled , influencing Metro Manila's shift toward transit-supportive, mixed-use districts while accommodating daily foot traffic exceeding 500,000 visitors. These features spurred ancillary high-rise constructions and business influx, solidifying Makati's role in national GDP contributions through innovation and advancements, such as increased floor-area ratios under 2025 guidelines. Culturally, the Ayala Center functions as a communal anchor, hosting events, exhibitions, and public gatherings that blend commerce with artistic expression, exemplified by venues like Greenbelt Park for outdoor performances and proximity to heritage sites preserving Filipino ethnological and historical artifacts. It supports community vitality through programs promoting local arts and social interaction, reinforcing Makati's identity as a lifestyle hub where economic activity intersects with cultural preservation.

Controversies and Challenges

Security and Safety Incidents

On October 19, 2007, a powerful occurred in the 2 mall within Ayala Center, killing at least eight people and injuring over 70 others, with the blast originating from a restroom area on floor. Initial reports and government statements suggested a possible terrorist bombing amid heightened security concerns, but subsequent investigations by the National Bureau of Investigation and determined it was an accidental triggered by a sewer leak and ignition source, not an intentional act. The incident led to temporary closures, structural assessments, and a ruling in 2018 denying Ayala Land's insurance claim for bomb-related coverage, affirming the non-terrorism finding. In 2009, a attempt at a luxury store in Greenbelt 5 resulted in a between suspects and personnel, with one robber killed and the incident highlighting vulnerabilities in high-end retail despite mall protocols. On April 15, 2010, a broke out in an Indian restaurant on the third floor of Greenbelt 3, prompting evacuations and temporary shutdowns of adjacent eateries and cinemas, though no injuries were reported; the blaze was contained without major structural damage. Minor incidents, such as snatchings and petty robberies, have occasionally prompted heightened security alerts in the Ayala Center vicinity, including guard warnings along , but these have not escalated to widespread disruptions.

Criticisms of Exclusivity and Urban Strain

Critics have argued that Ayala Center exemplifies the spatial and in , where elite commercial developments like the complex prioritize affluent users, creating a "dual city" dynamic that marginalizes lower-income residents. In the mid-20th century, cleared land for what became the —including precursors to Ayala Center—by compensating and relocating families from the area, effectively establishing an enclave for economic elites disconnected from surrounding informal settlements. This development model has drawn accusations of perpetuating inequality, as the center's upscale retail tenants, such as luxury brands in and Greenbelt malls, cater predominantly to higher socioeconomic classes (A and B market segments), limiting accessibility for the broader population amid the ' high income disparity. Such exclusivity is seen as emblematic of oligarchic land control, where conglomerates like Ayala shape urban spaces to favor global capital and local wealth, sidelining public needs. The influx of shoppers, office workers, and events at Ayala Center contributes significantly to urban strain, particularly chronic in Makati's central arteries. As a key node in the business district, the complex generates heavy vehicular and pedestrian volumes, with and experiencing peak-hour gridlock exacerbated by limited expressway connectivity and high-density activity—Makati's traffic volumes often surpass 200,000 vehicles daily in core zones. Prior to pedestrian-friendly redesigns in areas like , surrounding streets suffered from bus-pedestrian bottlenecks, a issue persisting in rush hours despite interventions like Sunday street closures for non-motorized use from 6:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. These strains highlight broader challenges in Metro Manila's unplanned growth, where private developments amplify public resource pressures without proportional upgrades.

References

Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.