Megaworld Corp. will establish a business hub in Iloilo City, which will be the new area that the property developer is going to set its focus on.

Aligning the expansive Megaworld Boulevard, this 54-hectare mixed-use development will house the Megaworld Center Mall, Festive Walk, the international brand Marriott Courtyard Hotel, Richmonde Hotel, and the Iloilo Convention Center.

“As we extend our ‘live-work-play’ formula to Iloilo, we’re expecting a breakthrough in Western Visayas’ in terms of business and tourism, which will be brought forth by the world-class developments that Megaworld has always been known for,” said Jericho Go, Megaworld first vice president for Business Leasing and Development Group.

The Megaworld Center Mall will be Iloilo’s first upscale future shopping mall, while the Festive Walk is a wide strolling area lined with shops of various signature brands.

The 9.7-hectare subdivision lot, on the other hand, is alloted for the boutique hotel and commercial district, which will be one of the highlights in the Iloilo Business Park.

“We’ve been talking to lots of interested business owners who want to operate within this exciting new district of the township. This is going to be exclusive only to the privileged few,” said Maricor Manlangit, Megaworld first vice president for Strategic Planning.

Another project within the area is the Iloilo Convention Center, a joint venture between Megaworld and the provincial government. Built on a 1.7-hectare lot, it will be funded collectively by Sen. Franklin Drilon’s annual priority development assistance fund, the Department of Tourism, and the Tourism Infrastructure and the Enterprise Zone Authority.

The convention center, touted as Iloilo’s largest, is designed for big conferences, exhibitions and trade fairs.