RLC in talks with prospective partners

By Ehda M. Dagooc
The Freeman
September 28, 2009

CEBU, Philippines - Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) is now in talks with three international resort chains for a possible partnership on the resort development component of its upscale coastline condominium project, the Amisa.

RLC assistant vice president for leisure and retirement Trina B. Cipriano said the company is now talking with international hotel and resort chains to clinch a partnership deal with RLC to kick off the resort development within Amisa considering the strong takeup of condo units and the growing interest from both the local and international markets.

RLC topped-off its first 14-story Tower A, over the weekend, which has a total of 130 condominium units, which as of this writing, are already sold.

Cipriano said the company is very meticulous in choosing the right resort chain partner to complement the property’s high-end positioning and something that will add value to the entire project.

The eight-year Gokongwei-led development project Amisa will be constructing the hotel component in the next one or two years, depending on the market takeup of its condominium unit offering.

Amisa is so far the biggest property development ventured into by the company in Cebu, although it has also invested on several pocket-projects such as the Robinsons Cyber Gate at Fuente Osmeña, among others.

Amisa is designed to have six residential condominiums featuring Australian Gold Coast architecture that offer breathtaking views of the beach, sea and Cebu’s coastline.

It will also have a five-star hotel with amenities, an entertainment center, two pools, tree-lined walks and nooks, pocket parks, and open spaces that lead to a pristine white sand beach, and sports activity areas.

The resort development was conceived to allow its users to enjoy an active interaction with nature while preserving and enhancing its environment. The concept of the towers soaring above the rest of the natural site takes advantage of the picturesque views.

Despite the global economic distress, Cipriano said Amisa has attracted buyers especially from the Southern Philippine market, thus the advance pre-selling of the 18-storey Tower B, which has yet to start construction by the first half of 2010. The Tower B will have 155 condo units.

The building of other high-rise structure that will complete the projected total of 800 condominium units will start units in the first two towers will be completely disposed.

The planned resort that will occupy over a hectare of the sprawling development is part of the five-star mixed-use development of RLC in Mactan Island, including the establishment of over 800 condominium units.

The Gokongwei Group is also known in Cebu for its other properties including the Robinsons shopping mall in Fuente Osmeña, the Midtown Hotel, Robinson’s Supermarket at the Banilad Town Center, and the Blue Coast subdivision in Mactan, and Aspen Heights in Consolacion among other affiliate businesses.

Cipriano said RLC was able to build the vertical development at the area ahead of schedule owing to the positive performance of the project, in terms of market interest.

In an earlier interview with JG Summit Holdings Inc., president and chief operating officer (COO) Lance Gokongwei, he said that the company is looking at expanding its land bank in Cebu to prepare for more projects in the next few years.

RLC is among the most profitable business of JG Summit Holdings Inc., with its 18 malls, 23 residential subdivisions, 22 residential condominiums, six office buildings and three hotels.