With its cluster of six buildings designed like the ocean wave, wide open spaces, integrated gardens and spacious walkways, the Axis Entertainment Avenue at Vibo Place on Escario St. in Cebu City wants to provide a different lifestyle destination to locals and tourists.

“Axis is the entertainment and dining hub, and newest development of Vibo Place. We decided that Cebu needs something very different so we came up with this concept of a strip mall,” said Vibo marketing and leasing head Allen Andre B. Suarez.

Drive-through Starbucks

He added that they currently have seven restaurants, including the first drive-through and biggest Starbucks outside of Luzon, Pigafetta, Suzukaze, Señor Kimchi, Ila Puti, Birdseed and Burger King.

According to Suarez, three more brands, all restaurants, will put branches at Axis Entertainment Avenue, after which the place can accommodate four more establishments.

Axis is located at the two-hectare development established by the Borromeos, a Cebuano family, along Escario St. in the 1970’s. Vibo Place is a recent rebranding of what used to be called the Cebu Capitol Commercial Complex Corp., which also hosts the family-owned Cebu Grand Hotel, The Apartelle, and CAIAA Center.

Vibo Place masterplan

A masterplan, to be implemented in phases, is being followed for Vibo Place, said its president Gerardo V. Borromeo. He explained that it took them a long time to introduce any new development because his father was a conservative businessman who believed in being sure of a venture before starting it.

He added that the rebranding to Vibo Place and addition of Axis happened after Borromeo took over the business and upon the clamor of the younger third generation. According to him, Vibo is an amalgam of the first letters of the last names of his parents, Villacarlos and Borromeo, that also means “fun” or “lively” in Cebuano.

“What sets us apart is we’re an integrated community. We have a church just across, a hotel, serviced apartments, and restaurants,” Borromeo said.

A bigger expansion is set for next year when Vibo Place will start building the first of three high-rise buildings in the property. The three-building cluster will be a mix of residential, office, and commercial. To complete the community, the buildings will be connected by a podium that will host retail brands and a supermarket following the wishes of his father.

Axis Entertainment courtyard

The Cebu Grand Hotel, which recently celebrated its 23rd anniversary, is one of the oldest in Cebu, said hotel president Camille B. Suarez, Borromeo’s younger sister. It has a hundred rooms and seven function rooms that can host up to 300 guests.

Ms. Suarez said Cebu Grand has several ongoing promos, including a business lunch package and Sugba-Sugba Nights every Wednesday from 6-10 p.m.

Aside from a hotel, Vibo Place also has serviced apartments called The Apartelle.

The main entertainment hub, Axis, also has a 400-square meter courtyard that is open for events, added Mr. Suarez. The space has live bands play every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday for alfresco diners of Axis restaurant tenants.