Inside The Mall | Nustar: Cebu's Newest Luxury Haven
The Queen City of the South poises itself as "Asia's newest and most exciting luxury destination" with the completion of The Mall | Nustar on Kawit Island, South Road Properties. Seeing it in person is the only way to fully appreciate how seriously Universal Hotels and Resorts Incorporated (UHRI), the development arm of JG Summit Holdings Inc., brings its vision to life. The vision: to bring Cebu to the world.
Beyond hosting a collection of high-end brands, this destination embodies opulence through its striking architectural design, diverse entertainment, exceptional service, and unique offerings.
Boss
Burberry
"Our concept was simple yet ambitious—to create a destination that redefines luxury in the Philippines," said The Mall's general manager, May Adolfo, during her opening remarks at the media launch held recently at Mott 32.
Adolfo said it was in 2018 when the masterplanning for Nustar Resort and Casino started. From the get-go, the plan was to offer a carefully curated mix of global brands and experiences that would cater to the discriminating tastes of their clientele.
However, like most businesses, they were faced with challenges when the pandemic struck in 2020. During that time, Frederick Go, then UHRI's president and CEO, made the bold decision to proceed with construction, creating thousands of jobs for Cebuanos. "We were the only ones constructing on this side of Cebu," recalled Adolfo.
Dior
Ferragamo
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'It was like serendipity'
In May 2022, they began welcoming the public with the opening of Fili Hotel, and gradually unveiled more sections including a portion of the casino. In the latter part of 2023, they gradually opened the mall to feature specialty shops and restaurants.
"Today, we take pride in what we have achieved for the mall, which has transformed into a well-curated space. Spanning four levels, it showcases a collection of iconic upscale brands alongside the finest local and international restaurants," she said.
Gucci
Kenzo
In its luxury wing, The Mall | NUSTAR showcases its premier boutique roster that includes Boss, Bulgari, Burberry Celine, Dior, Ferragamo, Givenchy, Gucci, Kenzo, Lacoste, Loewe, Louis Vuitton, Montblanc, Off-White, Porsche Design, Rimowa, Saint Lauren, Tiffany & Co., Tory Burch, Univers, and Versace; as well as prestige beauty brands Clé de Peau Beauté, Estée Lauder, Jo Malone, and the Rustan’s Beauty Source.
Montblanc
Off-White
“It was like serendipity," Adolfo said. "When we started engaging with these luxury brands, several of them were already searching for opportunities in Cebu as a prospective market gateway to the Visayas and Mindanao regions. As the country’s second biggest metropolis, Cebu’s cosmopolitan population has also been clamoring for more retail options that cater to their discerning tastes. By bringing together these new-to market brands that embody craftsmanship and quality in our uniquely placed location, we are able to offer a different luxury retail experience.”
The interior of Univers was designed by Kenneth Cobonpue and Ed Calma.
Saint Laurent
The Mall | Nustar offers a delightful shopping experience with its spacious and stylish stores, where you can explore fresh collections from various luxury labels. Notably, Louis Vuitton's VIC room showcases the stunning "Ruby Blossoms" artwork by Daniela Rivas, complemented by furniture from Vito Selma. Meanwhile, the Univers boutique stands out with its interiors designed by the renowned Kenneth Cobonpue and Ed Calma, adding an extra layer of sophistication to your shopping journey.
Porsche Design
Tiffany & Co.
Tory Burch
Savoring Cebu
Beyond shopping, The Mall | NUSTAR houses an extensive array of world-class restaurants and favorite local Cebu food spots, promising a memorable culinary journey.
During the mall's launch, we had the pleasure of trying out some of the signature offerings of award-winning Chinese restaurant Mott 32, which is celebrating its second year in Cebu. We love everything that was served to us, especially the Signature Apple Wood Roasted Peking Duck and the Stir-fried Australian M9 Wagyu.
Interior of Mott 32
Mott 32's Signature Apple Wood Roasted Peking Duck
"Even in just two years, we can say that Mott is deeply imprinted in the culinary map of Cebu," said Fili Hotel general manager Roel Constantino in his speech.
Here's a trivia: The first Mott 32 restaurant was launched in Hong Kong in 2014. Its name, "Mott 32," is inspired by the address 32 Mott Street in New York City. This location is historically significant as it was home to the first Chinese grocery store in New York City, which opened its doors in 1891.
Abaca Baking Company
We immensely enjoyed the hearty brunch menu at Abaca Baking Company, which featured a delightful array of gourmet breakfast dishes. Equally impressive was the superb seafood feast at Good Luck Hotpot, accompanied by Chinese cultural performances, making for an exceptional dining experience.
Our dinner at Koshima by Nonki was likewise unforgettable. We indulged in expertly crafted sushi, succulent kushiyaki, and a selection of Angus and Wagyu yakiniku.
The mall boasts several other must-try restaurants, including Yeonwha The Premium by Kaya, Barcino, Kazuwa Prime, Cebu’s Original Lechon Belly, and Café Laguna.
Good Luck Hotpot
Furthermore, Fili Hotel offers an array of dining options with its esteemed restaurants, such as Fili Café, Fili Lobby Lounge, Xin Tian Di, and Huangdi. The Executive Lounge, in particular, offers sweeping views of the sea and a variety of personalized services.
Unwind in style
After a day of shopping and dining, you could wind down with a soothing aromatherapy massage or body scrub, among other luxurious treatments, at Fili Hotel's Hagod Spa. If you have extra energy to spare, you could go on a Crucero adventure at Fili Hotel and cruise along the coast of Cebu from the comfort of a private boat. Enjoy a full VIP experience with delectable hors d'oeuvres and lively music that will surely get everyone into the party spirit.
The Mall | NUSTAR also offers exciting encounters for the entire family with its world-class cinemas to catch the latest blockbuster and amusement center Timezone which the little ones are sure to love.
Interior of Koshima by Nonki
Sashimi at Koshima
Highlighting their vision, Adolfo said: “The Mall | NUSTAR is a haven of new discoveries and experiences. We are redefining luxury as a sanctuary where exquisite world-class shopping options, unforgettable culinary experiences, thrilling family activities, and blissfully relaxing hotel and spa services meet Cebu’s beautiful beaches, captivating natural and historic landmarks, vibrant city scene, and the people’s warmth and hospitality. We look forward to welcoming everyone.”
The Mall, located at Kawit Island, South Road Properties, Cebu City, is open from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. For more information, visit its official website or its Facebook and Instagram pages.
