Cebu South Road Properties

Was there ever a more dramatic transformation than that of the Cebu South Road Properties? Once just open water, the Mactan Channel, this 300-hectare expanse now buzzes with life and activity. The Cebu South Road Properties, or SRP as the locals call it, rose from the sea in a feat of engineering. It’s a testament to the vision of Cebu City. The late 1980s saw then-mayor Tomas Osmeña dream of reclaiming this area. This was the space between Cebu City and Kawit Island, a former quarantine station from the American era. Initially intended for light industry, the project evolved into something much grander. By 1991, the project became part of the Metro Cebu Development Project. Funded by a loan from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation, construction began in 1997 and concluded in 2004. Now, the Cebu South Road Properties is a vibrant mix of businesses and leisure destinations. Imagine strolling along the six-lane Cebu South Coastal Road. It stretches the length of the SRP. It offers stunning views of the Cebu Strait to the east and a panorama of modern developments to the west. This vital artery also serves as a bypass, easing congestion on Natalio Bacalso Avenue and connecting the city to Talisay. Another key route, F. Vestil Street, a four-lane road formerly known as Mambaling Access Road, links the SRP directly to Mambaling. It was named after Francisco Vestil, a local Olympian who carried the Philippine flag at the 1948 Summer Olympics. Look around, and you’ll see the gleaming towers of City di Mare, a “city by the sea.” This sprawling 48-hectare development, the largest within the SRP, boasts residential towers, office spaces, and the seaside mall, Il Corso. And then there’s the dazzling Nustar Resort & Casino, occupying the former Kawit Island, now known as Kawit Point. This eight-hectare entertainment complex offers a full array of attractions. Restaurants, bars, a mall, a convention center, a casino, and hotels create a vibrant destination. Of course, no visit to the Cebu South Road Properties would be complete without experiencing the colossal SM Seaside complex. This 30-hectare development features the largest shopping mall in Cebu, an observation tower offering panoramic views, a marine theme park, and even a chapel. The Cebu South Road Properties is more than just reclaimed land. It’s a symbol of Cebu City’s progress. It is a testament to the city’s ambition and its forward-thinking approach to development.