Written by: Amy R. Remo
Rockwell Workspaces has launched a green, sustainable office tower that is poised to attract upmarket occupiers seeking for safe, healthy working environments postpandemic.
1 Proscenium, the latest addition to Rockwell’s growing office portfolio, is a 21-floor LEED-certified building that offers well-appointed workspaces, with a typical layout of 640 sqm, for sale and for lease.
That it is located within the upscale Proscenium at Rockwell in Makati City is in itself a huge draw for many companies looking to have a prime business address that can command a premium in terms of prices and rental rates. But that it has also secured a certification for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design from the US Green Building Council undoubtedly gives 1 Proscenium a more significant competitive advantage in the market today.
Heightened preference
In its report in May, Colliers Philippines said that “there will likely be a heightened preference for sustainable buildings that provide natural lighting and optimize air quality, among other features. Over the next three to five years, these features should result in utility and talent acquisition cost savings and contribute to a healthier and more productive workforce.”
Colliers explained that the COVID-19 situation has accelerated the adoption of sustainable office spaces—a trend seen to complement the recovery of office leasing demand across Metro Manila beyond 2021. Green building certifications such as LEED are not only seen as a seal of authenticity highly appreciated by both local and multinational companies, but also as a way to future-proof office towers beyond the pandemic.
Colliers estimates that only 37 percent of new office space supply in Metro Manila from 2021 to 2023 will likely be buildings that come with LEED, BERDE, WELL or EDGE certifications.
Sustainable features
1 Proscenium will aptly address this growing preference for certified buildings which can offer energy efficient, sustainable features that promote the well-being of occupiers. It has thoughtful safety measures in place to help assure employees as they go back to the office.
For one, it has operable windows to allow better air circulation which is not only healthier, but is also more energy efficient as it allows passive ventilation. 1 Proscenium also uses the latest variable refrigerant flow (VRF) inverter airconditioning system, which will help ensure better air quality inside the office tower.
Other sustainable features include the use of energy efficient LED lights and low-consumption water fixtures, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows that offer views of the exclusive community and a steady stream of natural light. Occupiers are assured of uninterrupted and comfortable workflow with 100 percent back-up power, while safety is guaranteed with 1 Proscenium’s RFID card system, 24-hour CCTV monitoring, and security and property management teams that are available 24/7.
While occupiers can have a quick coffee break at the cafe at the tower’s mezzanine floor, they can also enjoy the convenience of having a host of nearby retail areas within the exclusive Proscenium community itself or those in other buildings within Rockwell Center, including the Power Plant Mall. What’s good is that it’s easy to get around within this self-contained community as it is both bike- and pedestrian-friendly.
Needless to say, businesses will enjoy 1 Proscenium’s premium location, boosted largely by its accessibility and proximity to the central business districts of Makati and Taguig. Soon to be reopened to the public is the four-lane Estrella-Pantaleon Bridge, which some also call the Rockwell Bridge, that connects the cities of Makati and Mandaluyong.
Such a location has allowed properties within Rockwell Center to enjoy capital gains, including 8 Rockwell, an office tower whose capital values have appreciated by 90 percent from its original purchase price in 2016. This only makes 1 Proscenium truly an ideal real estate investment to diversify one’s portfolio.
Recovery in the offing
Colliers Philippines, in its April 2021 report titled “Office leasing opportunities amid COVID surge”, said that it “sees net take-up recovering by the end of 2021, especially with the successful roll out of the COVID vaccine.”
Rockwell Workspaces, however, has maintained a strong occupancy rate and continued to enjoy a higher capital appreciation because of its proven track record and strategic locations. Apart from 1 Proscenium and 8 Rockwell, its other office towers include Rockwell Business Center Ortigas, Rockwell Business Center Sheridan, Santolan Town Plaza, and Proscenium Podium Offices.
It is expected however that once business and consumer sentiments improve and as soon as the economy fully recovers, demand for office space will again pick up pace.
But it won’t be surprising if 1 Proscenium will see a robust take up as early as today. It has, after all, what companies will ever need and demand amid and beyond this pandemic.
Premium Offices for lease and sale.
Call 0917 155 ROCK or email workspace@rockwell.com.ph
ADVT.