Trumps eye more Philippine projects

Donald Trump Jr., son of real estate developer Donald Trump, attends a press conference on the launching of Manila's Trump Tower project Tuesday, June 26, 2012, in the financial district of Makati, Philippines. The US$150-million, 56-story residential building using the brand name and mark under license from the New York-based Trump will be constructed by a local construction company. AP PHOTO/PAT ROQUE

Two sons of American tycoon Donald Trump flew in from New York Tuesday for the groundbreaking of Trump Tower Manila, a luxury tower to be developed by Century Properties Group and the first of what is hinted to be a series of property projects involving the Trump brand in the Philippines.

“This will not be our last project in the Philippines. We’re looking forward to rolling out a couple of things,” Donald Trump Jr. said in a press briefing. He hinted that talks have started with the Antonio family-led Century group for follow-up projects.

Trump Tower Manila is a $150-million, 56-story residential development project of Century with the brand name and mark under license from the Trump. It will rise in Century City, the Century group’s 3.4-hectare flagship development along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City.

Century founder and chairman Jose Antonio said this project was very relevant in assisting the positioning of greater Metro Manila as a “cosmopolitan” city. He noted that cosmopolitan cities elsewhere in the region like Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore had captured a lot of investments and having a quality development and a strong brand should groom Metro Manila into a better position.

“Quality will always be remembered long after the price has been forgotten,” he said.

The residential units in Trump Tower Manila is selling at an average P200,000 a square meter. Based on the size range of between 57 and 400 square meters, the smallest unit is priced at P11.4 million and the biggest at P80 million. The units will be turned over to buyers by 2016.

Robbie Antonio, Century managing director, said 70 percent of the 222-unit residential development had already been sold since the project was launched in September 2011.

Donald Trump Jr., left, and Eric Trump, right, sons of real estate developer Donald Trump, pose with local developer Jose E. B. Antonio during a press conference on the launching of Manila's Trump Tower project Tuesday, June 26, 2012 in Makati. AP PHOTO/PAT ROQUE

“The fact that a Trump-branded development is rising in the Philippines is a testament to the increased confidence of the international sector in our country’s potential to become a world-class destination. As a standard bearer of excellence in residential living, Trump Tower Manila also positions the Philippines as the ideal place of residence for global citizens,” the younger Antonio said.

“We are overwhelmed with the tremendous success of this project in such a short time. Trump Tower Manila has already received accolades even prior to breaking ground, which is an incredible accomplishment further showcasing the strength of the local market and its increasing demand in the ownership of luxury real estate,” Eric Trump said.

He added that the design of Trump Tower Manila was such that the Trumps “wanted to have the best building not only in the Philippines but in Asia and the world.”