Special Feature

ArthaLand: Pioneer of green buildings in the Philippines

By ArthaLand

/ BROUGHT TO YOU BY ARTHALAND |

August 23, 2019 1:57 PM SGT

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“Artha” is a Sanskrit word connoting knowledge, purpose, significance and wealth – not just on the material front, but also in the intangible things in life: comfort, health and happiness. This is the basis of Philippine developer ArthaLand’s commitment to sustainability. The publicly-listed developer has snagged several local and international awards, establishing its status as the leader in premium sustainable projects.

“It’s not just about making money. We want to take care of the environment and leave a legacy behind,” says ArthaLand president Jaime C González on the company website.

At the heart of each and every Arthaland project is sustainability – all of its projects are targeted to achieve dual green building certification from the US Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) programme and the Philippine Green Building Council’s Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) programme.

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Nestled in a central yet quiet area in the CBD of Bonifacio Global City (BGC), Taguig, Arya Residences is the first and only residential building in the Philippines to receive dual- certification in LEED Gold Certification and the 4-Star Berde Certification. The two-tower, 507-unit luxury green condo has become “one of the most desirable” residential addresses in the city, according to the developer.

Residents there are served by lifestyle facilities nearby – at Arya Plaza, there are establishments such as Fukudaya Japanese Dining, Lemuria Restaurant and Wine Bar, Martin Place Social, and Styluxe Salon & Makeup Studio.

Actual photograph of ArthaLand Century Pacific Tower (5TH Avenue, Bonifacio Global City)

Being green has also helped the developer attract tenants. ArthaLand Century Pacific Tower, the developer’s headquarters at 5th Avenue corner 30th Street, BGC, is among the most highly sought-after global business addresses in the city. The 30-storey office building spans a gross floor area (GFA) of 370,000 sq ft. It is both a LEED Platinum and BERDE 5-star-certified building, the highest categories in both green building rating standards.

The development is fully leased out, attracting many local offices of multinational companies. Its largest tenant occupies five floors. Notable tenants include OPPO and Common Ground.

“LEED is now becoming a standard for multinational companies, because it saves them on cost. That means lower electricity and lower power consumption,” explains Oliver Chan, senior vice president for sales and property management services. “Most of the multinational companies are now into environment- friendly and sustainable efforts, so this matches Arthaland’s philosophy, reflected in its sustainable and green buildings.”

Rolling out more green offices

Artist’s impression of the Cebu Exchange (Cebu City)

In the large, fast-growing city of Cebu in Southern Philippines, ArthaLand is working on yet another sustainable office development. Cebu Exchange, at the gateway of Cebu IT Park, will have 39 floors comprising a GFA of 1.2 million sq ft, on a land of 90,847 sq ft. Businesses will be able to choose from different layout and unit sizes based on their needs. Thoughtful amenities include jogging trails, beautiful landscaped decks, open-air lounges and a terrace garden. There will also be a retail component. Progress for Cebu Exchange is on track, with plans for completion in 2021.

Cebu Exchange is in a strategic location. Cebu Doctors’ University Hospital is 2.7km away. Recreation and leisure options include the Cebu Country Club 1km away, and Casino Español de Cebu 2.7km away. There are also hotels: Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino is 0.3km away, while Marco Polo Plaza Hotel Cebu is 2.2km from the destination.

Artist’s impressions of the Savya Financial Center facade (ARCA South, Taguig City)

Meanwhile, Savya Financial Center, another of ArthaLand’s ongoing premium office projects, is in ARCA South, Taguig City, in Metro Manila. Once completed in 2021, it will have 18 storeys, sitting on a 64,487 sq ft plot with GFA of 644,284 sq ft, and a retail space of 16,630 sq ft.

Savya Financial Center will boast a signature lobby linking its two office towers. Made of glass and steel, it takes after the contours of a natural valley to encourage social interaction between office tenants. To let in sufficient natural daylight, the towers will be built with a 60:40 glass-to-concrete ratio.

Artist’s impressions of the Savya Financial Center breezeway (ARCA South, Taguig City)

ARCA South is poised to become the most accessible business district with connectivity to key growth destinations like Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Makati, BGC, Ortigas, and Alabang, through upcoming transportation networks such as the Southeast Metro Manila Expressway, Metro Manila Subway Station, and Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange.

The developer believes that both office projects – Cebu Exchange and Savya Financial Center – will offer investors yields of about 5% to 8%. “They will be getting a yield that is far greater than, I would say, the majority of the Asian countries,” says Chan.

ArthaLand is the foremost green developer in the Philippines recognised by both local and global organizations for its superior design, high quality, focus on sustainability and innovation. It has made its mark in the Philippine real estate industry by pioneering the development and management of exceptional best-in-class properties that adhere to international and local standards for premium green projects. For more information about ArthaLand properties, call +63917 77 ARTHA (28742), e-mail ask@arthaland.com, or visit www.arthaland.com.

Savya Financial Center HLURB LS | Tower 1 034553 | Tower 2 034615. | Cebu Exchange HLURB LS 032788

This article appeared in The EdgeProp Pullout Issue 896 (August 26, 2019) of The Edge Singapore.

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