It has fittingly illustrated what it takes to stay competitive and relevant.
For close to nine decades now, Ortigas Land has been performing a delicate balancing act of ensuring that the right kind of innovation would be able to fuel its continued growth; of remaining prudent, and intuitive in all its strategies; and of retaining some of the best practices that were able to buoy up the company through turbulent times, economic boom-and-bust cycles, and even political upheavals.
Today, Ortigas Land is already reaping the benefits of sustaining such a complex balance which, by all means, has been a brilliant display of its prowess and caliber. It has remained competitive, relevant, and even well ahead of the game with a wide array of residential, office and commercial offerings that have become top-of-mind for many, aspirational for some.
While it would be easier to stick to a tried-and-tested strategy, Ortigas Land instead had the foresight to include features that very few would consider a “must-have” back in the day, was quick to adapt and would go to great lengths to know what its market needed and wanted.
Among the pioneers
Think about it. When Greenhills opened in the early ’70s, it was among the pioneers of its time, being one of the first shopping centers in the Philippines. Small shops, restaurants, a grocery, banks, arcades and other stores here became popular hangouts in the following decades.
But as more and bigger shopping complexes started to open across the metro, Ortigas Land had to redevelop, responding to the changing needs of an ever evolving market.
Today, the 16-ha Greenhills in San Juan City is undergoing a massive, P60-billion redevelopment plan to make it at par with the rest of the metro. A new mall, office spaces and upscale residential projects such as the 53-story Viridian and the 55-story Connor, will now complement the rest of the locators here, while breathing new life into your favorite shopping mecca.
Novelty offerings
Ortigas Land was, perhaps, also the first to house in a single “village” a whole array of licensed pet dealers, groomers, providers of care services and other shops that cater to every imaginable need of your pets. Tiendesitas, when it formally opened its doors to the public in the mid 2000s, indeed made waves for having a massive collection of different shops housed in villages—whether it’s fashion, food, handicrafts, pets, antiques and novelties, among others.
Located within the 16-ha Ortigas East estate in Pasig City, Tiendesitas has since seen many renovations and new neighbors, too—grocery, pharmacies, banks, offices, leisure and entertainment areas that once included a small zoo, and soon, high rise residential towers that offer the convenience of having practically everything you need within reach. More can be expected upon completion of this estate’s P50-billion redevelopment plan.
Sanctuary
Amid the global financial crisis in the latter part of the 2000s, Ortigas Land opted to offer the Philippine market with a “sanctuary” where one can revel in an enclave made more serene by the calming views of the river, yet still enjoy proximity to modern conveniences. While only a few harped on the benefits of adequate spaces then, the 10-ha Circulo Verde already gave its residents breathing room, fresh air, as well as healthy, verdant spaces in the middle of a bustling city.
Today, these same features are so highly sought that many are willing to pay a premium to live in an estate that affords them of such lush open spaces. Yes, Circulo Verde in Quezon City already has five residential towers, a townhouse community, Industria Mall, parks, exclusive recreational facilities, CV Sports Hub, CV Pitch, a bike playground, CV Quad (basketball, volleyball, badminton court) and Hachi Park, which is an off-leash dog park. But there remains such a huge room for residents to move around, offering healthy, spacious areas needed in the new normal.
Archetype community
The 10-ha Capitol Commons in Pasig City reflects the dynamic, fast-paced lifestyle of the present as it is one of the newer districts to rise in the metro. Currently, it offers a healthy mix of upscale residences, premium-grade offices, a shopping mall, a food strip and lush pocket parks that seek to redefine one’s concept of urban living.
Yet again, Ortigas Land managed to make great strides to create the archetype of future cities. Beyond offering convenience, accessibility and a refreshing green urban space, Capitol Commons has residences primed for the new normal. For example, the 56-story Empress, touted as the first wellness real estate in the country, features contactless technology, biophilic design that helps reduce stress and improve cognitive function and a host of amenities that will allow you to be holistically healthy.
New normal
With its prudent, skillful approach to innovation and flair for remaining relevant, Ortigas Land will, without a doubt, be able to ride out the challenges brought about by the deadly COVID-19 pandemic. As it is, this seasoned developer already offers the ideal homes that will enable you to move forward amid this health crisis and this so-called new normal.
But just as it had done so in the past, you can trust that Ortigas Land will once again come up with smart, innovative ways that will address new needs that you have yet to anticipate, and create even safer, healthier spaces that will tide you over and beyond this pandemic.