By Zinnia B. Dela Peña (The Philippine Star) Updated January 25, 2010 12:00 AM
MANILA, Philippines - Property giant Ayala Land Inc. will launch 20 new projects this year worth a total of P20 billion as it gears up to meet the anticipated strong demand for residential and office developments, a top company official said.
ALI president Antonino Aquino said the company is shifting to a more aggressive posture this year amid a rebounding property market and improving global economic outlook.
For this year, ALI has lined up the most number of new projects to be launched within a single year as it positions for a major upturn in the industry.
Aquino said these new projects are located in multiple growth centers across the country as part of a strategy to further expand its geographic coverage and introduce new business lines and market segments.
Among the sites identified for expansion are Baguio, Angeles in Pampanga, Subic, Cebu, Cagayan de Oro, Davao, Iloilo and Bacolod.
In Baguio, ALI expects to begin construction of a BPO (business process outsourcing) complex and retail component within the 25-hectare Camp John Hay tourism and leisure estate. Initial plans involve the development of six buildings with four stories and several retail stores and dining outlets.
The BPO facilities will make available about 40,000 square meters of leasable space while the retail component will offer 7,000 square meters of space.
In Subic, ALI continues to develop a mix of retail, BPO and residential components to keep the area alive.
Following the public’s strong reception to its Marquee Mall in Pampanga, the company is preparing a mid-rise residential condominium project right across the mall.
The successful expansion of Ayala Center Cebu with The Terraces has also prompted the company to launch its first venture under the Alveo and Avida brands in the first quarter this year.
Meanwhile in Davao, where ALI jumpstarted its entry with lifestyle mall, Abreeza, new residential developments with a BPO complementary project are now being planned. Similar mixed-use developments are in the pipeline in Cagayan de Oro.
Northpoint, a project of Ayala Land Premier in Bacolod, will launch a new commercial development along the main road fronting it, making the area a multiple growth center.
In the Greater Manila Area, where ALI focused largely in Makati and in the South, the year 2010 sees the property firm going ahead with plans to develop the North Triangle area in Quezon City.
As part of a strategy to boost sales, ALI is also venturing into the development of neighborhood and community centers. These will be quaint shops and retail establishments that will support residential and BPO developments.
In addition, ALI is also exploring hotels and tourism-related products to expand its portfolio. Expansion projects and the opening of new phases of other existing developments are also set to go on full swing.
At the Bonifacio Global City (BGC), ALI expects to complete the construction of the Mind Museum, which is envisioned as the best science museum in the country. Also set to for completion is another building offering a total of 31,000 sqms of BPO space along with the launch of Avida Towers BGC and a new phase of Two Serendra, The Meranti.
ALI is also ramping up the development of the Makati central business district with the continued renovation of the Ayala Center well as the development of an upscale residential condominium building called Park Terraces. The facelift for the Ayala Center is estimated to cost P20 billion. Alabang will also undergo a makeover with an additional retail complex featuring department stores and supermarkets.
New product offerings are also being planned in Nuvali, located south in Laguna. Nuvali is the country’s first eco-community and now regarded as the nation’s sustainability capital in ALI’s portfolio.
Ushering its entry into the socialized housing market, ALI will launch within the year a new brand, Amaia, to cater to this market. Amaia will offer house and lot packages with prices ranging from P700,000 to P1.3 million. Its maiden offering will also rise in Laguna.
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