MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES IN THE WORLD

The Embarcadero, one of the most anticipated developments in the city of Legazpi, “soft” opened last July 18, 2009 with two locators opening its doors to the public. The Embarcadero is a major waterfront development located at the harbor area of Legazpi City adjacent to the alluring Kapuntukan Hill.

The Embarcadero will offer a mix of retail, restaurants, markets, and shops. There will also be a civic space and an imposing 30-meter tall lighthouse that could become one of the iconic symbols of Legazpi. Aside from the 12,000 square meter commercial area, there will also be a future 14,500 square meter waterfront hotel, spa and convention center and a 15,477 square meter Information Technology (IT) Park, envisioned to provide thousands of BPO jobs for Bicolanos.

Embarcadero will be a waterfront promenade, with theatrical lighting and performance spaces creating a lively, family friendly environment during the day and at night. Visitors to Embarcadero will enjoy a stunning view of the mighty Mayon Volcano and the cityscape to the
north and the Albay Gulf to the east.
















This new development is a welcome addition to the city’s growing list of shopping and entertainment destinations including LCC Mall, Landco Pacific Mall, A. Bichara Silverscreens, and the soon to open LKY Lifestyle Hub adjacent to the new integrated terminal. The opening of the IT park is also highly-anticipated, especially by Bicolanos looking for jobs.

For Embarcadero’s soft opening, two restaurant tenants namely Kitaro and Tapa King started operations. The SLTCFI BPO Incubation Center also opened its new office. Meanwhile, the newest branch of Bigg’s Diner, Bicol’s homegrown chain of restaurants will open on July 24. Other confirmed tenants are Gerry’s Grill, Padi’s Point, Mang Inasal, Harbour Wok, La Mia Tazza Cafe, Pancit Malabon Express, F2M, Giordano, Cinderella, Adidas, Lots’a Pizza, Casa Nostra Bar and Restaurant, Plains and Prints, Pacific Dive, Chill Bar, Mercury Drug, Bowling Lanes, Dampa-style restaurants and more. (article from Wow Legaspi!)

The Embarcadero is regarded as the jump-off point to Bicol’s 8-wonders of eco-tourism – the Whale Shark of Donsol, Sorsogon – world’s largest fish, Manta Ray, the world’s fifth largest fish can be seen at Ticao Pass, Mayon Volcano – world’s most perfect cone volcano, Misibis Resorts, Estates & Spa – the first Tourism Estate Zone in South Luzon with triple Class A classification by the department of Tourism, Boiling Lake – the natural steam of Nag-Asu Lake in Manito, Albay which is like a natural Jacuzzi, Sula Channel – the country’s longest salty river known for its calmness, Pototan Cave – famous for underground river cave and the Vera Falls – one of the tallest falls in Bicol known for its pristine waters and lavish rainforest in the area.


















A prime commercial, recreational, tourism and IT center, it will feature a landmark 30-meter lighthouse, civic space, souvenir shops, first class restaurants, “Dampa” restaurants, coffee shops, hotel, convention center, leisure and amusement park and about 800 seats call center. All these entwined with a fastcraft ferry transport and semi-submersible vessel, the Embarcadero is truly the jumpstart to a Bicol Experience!


Embarcadero - Commercial, IT hub to rise in Legazpi port area
By Jaymee T. Gamil, Inquirer Southern Luzon
10.15.2007

LEGAZPI CITY — It is easy to imagine how picturesque it would be to have a lifestyle center along a baywalk—easier still to imagine its potential as a commercial hub and tourist attraction. But how easy is it to imagine one such place in a typhoon-stricken province? For Misibis Land Inc., it doesn’t pose a problem at all as it braved the challenge and set off to pioneer another world-class destination in Bicol. This city’s Port District locals have little idea that by this time next year, the five-month-old construction site currently spanning 2,000 square meters along the city pier, will be transformed into a waterfront commercial, recreational and information technology complex.

To be unveiled as the Embarcadero at 2010, it will provide a comprehensive array of services catering to a broad market, regardless of economic status and lifestyle, while preserving an upscale atmosphere through the architectural design envisioned by a foreign consultant. The building plan is now being carried out by Sunwest Construction & Development Corp.

The Embarcadero will stretch across 2.5 hectares, composed of nine expansive structures facing a panoramic view of Albay Gulf and the world-renowned Mayon Volcano. A four-level mall will be built which will house specialty shops, restaurants, hotels, spas, bars, a supermarket, gaming and Internet hubs, and even an 800-seat call center which will be in operation round the clock. Six other buildings, with one to two floors each, will be lined with walk-in retail stores and bistros. “MLI specifically aims to bring in establishments currently without branches in Legazpi City or nearby areas,” said Salvador Ludovice, corporate communications specialist of Sunwest Group of Companies.

A spacious open-air activity plaza will be the centerpiece of Embarcadero, which will provide a venue for conventions, expos, trade fairs, concerts and other large events, while still giving way to food stalls, kiosks and rest benches around the periphery. Patrons can also opt to simply enjoy the sea breeze: strolling, biking, rollerblading, or just taking photos of the coastal view along the baywalk and wooden boardwalks fringing the premises.

A 30-meter lighthouse will also be constructed to punctuate the international impression envisioned by the MLI. Once site development is finished, water sports will also figure in the plan, with MLI looking into providing diving, sailing and snorkeling services. With abundant beaches, rich coral formations and even sunken galleons in and around the Legazpi City coast, Embarcadero will prove rewarding for aquatic enthusiasts. Embarcadero will also serve as the “jump-off point” to other tourist destinations in the province. The MLI plans to offer cruise boat rides, island hopping, and tours to attractions such as the Mayon Volcano, the historic Cagsawa Ruins, and the Lignon Hill and cave—all but a 20- to 30-minute ride away from the Legazpi City Port District. It will also serve as a means to reach MLI’s first brainchild in the Bicol Region, the Misibis Resorts, Estates & Spa, a near-completed high-end resort and residential area on the remote Cagraray Island off Albay. Vitaliano Ubaldo Jr., project manager for both MLI projects, said the initial investment for the Embarcadero cost around P450 million to P500 million for the current construction of Phase 1, or the first three buildings, alone.

With the influx of tourism and economic benefits it will generate, the Embarcadero is also looking to be the “jump-off point” for the progress of the immediate community. It is foreseen to create a thriving business climate and a steady source of income for the local government, while opening thousands of livelihood opportunities for nearby residents. The 800-seat call center that will operate on eight-hour shifts can bring in 2,400 jobs, while the shops and bistros can open around 3,400 jobs, equivalent to about P400 million to P450 million job wage per year.



Hazard-resistant

Although dynamic in concept, the waterfront structure will still prove solid and safe from typhoons, earthquakes and floods, project engineer Jerry Beja said. “The Embarcadero will have typhoon-resistant buildings. It stands on a rock base, and will be elevated 80 meters from the natural ground line,” he said. The baywalk will also act as an inclined but elevated seawall. According to Beja, 500 meters more of the shoreline needs to be reclaimed for Phase III of the construction.



Ubaldo said the project is 23-percent completed, adding that by March 2010, seven of the nine buildings of Embarcadero would have been completed. The soft launch of Embarcadero is set to be held simultaneously with the opening of its sister project, the Misibis Resorts, Estates & Spa, during the third quarter of next year, Ludovice said. The 20-hectare prime leisure destination and residential complex in nearby Cagraray Island offers white sand beaches, pristine and peaceful surroundings and a breathtaking view of the Sula Channel.