Robinsons Land might offer more space for BPO's
An article published in The
BusinessWorld, April 25, 2006
By: Jennee Grace U. Rubrico, Senior Reporter
Publicly listed Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC)
may demolish the Robinsons Apartelle along Epifanio Delos santos Avenu (EDSA)
to give way to the construction of more office space but only if demand from
call center and business process outsourcing (BPO) firms continue.
RLC High Rise Division General Manager Danilo Ignacio told reporters over
the weekend that the Gokongwei owned firm is studying the possibility of
replacing the apartelle with office buildings.
"But the decision to demolish the apartelle will depend on future demand for
office space for call centers," he said. He also said that the company has
not set a definite dare for the possible demolition of the apartelle.
Mr. Ignacio noted that the apartelle's clients are all on short-term leases
and that taking down the building will not inconvenience any of them.
He also said that demand for office space in the Robinsons Pioneer complex,
where the apartelle is located, is strong. He said that the Robinsons
Cybergate Tower 2 which is located in the complex will soon be fully leased
out, and added that the third building is now on the planning stages.
"The master plan provides for two buildings [on the Robinsons apartelle
lot]," he said.
Under the master plan, five office buildings will be put up in the Robinsons
Pioneer complex.
The move to add more office buildings in the Robinsons Pioneer complex is in
line with the plan of the company to become the leading developer of office
space.
Earlier, the Gokongwei-controlled company said that it wants to be the
largest landlord for call centers and BPO's. The company currently has four
office buildings, namely Galleria Corporate Center in Quezon City, Robinsons
Summit Center in Makati City, Robinsons Equitable Tower in Pasig City, and
Robinsons Cybergate Center 1 in Manadaluyong City.
In addition to these, the company also houses call centers in a number of
its malls.
RLC is the real-estate arm of Gokongwe-controlled JG Summit Holdings, Inc.,
one of the country's largest conglomerates with diverse interest in branded
consumers foods, agro-industrial and commodity food products, textile,
telecommunications, petrochemicals, air transportation and financial
services. It is engaged in developing and operating shopping malls and
hotels and in office and residential housing development.