http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4766/pic16hw.jpg


its obviously the tallest one! :D :D

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4766/pic16hw.jpg


its obviously the tallest one! :D :D

Oh My God....I hope that gets built :eek2:

is lopez centre is now approved to be constructed?

no. but we might see it rise in the next 10 years of the demand continues to pick up. guys, we have different rendering for Lopez Tower. It's the one without the crown.

^^ Ah, yeah so this is the old design. The newer one is much better, as they get rid of the lattice on top. This tower is currently on-hold.

reminds me of WTC, NY :D

:eek2: OMG. That is one impressive building.
I hope they build it now. Demand for office space is now very high and office space is getting scarce because of the recent BPO boom. I'm so excited for Manila!

reminds me of WTC, NY :D

It is basically the design for the Freedom Tower in NYC. The architect is Skidmore Owings and Merrill and they basically recycled the design. So you can say the Lopez Centre has a direct influence on what is being built in NYC.... ;)

I also dont like the crown in that rendering of Lopez Center , if ever EGI-Skycity and Lopez really pushed through , any contigency plans of Ayala's Makati CBD to exceed this future tallest towers ? I read before it might be beside the PSE Makati building , they might demolish the old MKSE building .

^ That is an old proposal that came up literally overnight when the Philippine Stock Exchange announced that they are moving to Tektite Towers. The sole purpose is to lure the stock exchange back to Makati and a few days later, they started digging the site for Ayala Tower One. At the end, there was a compromise to keep the stock exchange in both Makati and Ortigas and nothing new has happened in the Ayala Triangle site since then. One thing is for sure though, this was before the internet and the battle between Ayalaland and Philrealty (Makati vs Ortigas) was no different than what you see in the City vs City section of this website. Only back then, they were using advertising campaigns in the two biggest daily newspapers to make their point.... ;)

I think there were also rumors that PSE is moving to Bonifacio? what happened to that one?

^ That is an old proposal that came up literally overnight when the Philippine Stock Exchange announced that they are moving to Tektite Towers. The sole purpose is to lure the stock exchange back to Makati and a few days later, they started digging the site for Ayala Tower One. At the end, there was a compromise to keep the stock exchange in both Makati and Ortigas and nothing new has happened in the Ayala Triangle site since then. One thing is for sure though, this was before the internet and the battle between Ayalaland and Philrealty (Makati vs Ortigas) was no different than what you see in the City vs City section of this website. Only back then, they were using advertising campaigns in the two biggest daily newspapers to make their point.... ;)

^^ Yes, Captial Place is supposed to house the PSE. But there has been no info about it in the last few years. I guess its on-hold right now.

it looks like the new and old design of the Freedom Tower in NYC. Sounds like a bad idea. Is this the final design?

^No. This is the latest design: (but "latest" is at least a few years old, since this is on-hold) http://www.emporis.com/files/transfer/6/2001/06/119543.jpg

cant go to that link greyx , it says forbidden

its just the emporis Lopenz Centre page: http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=101844

eeeh, this thread should be closed because this thing is still considers as a dream, everyone can propose whatever they want.

You have a point there , wala pang signs na matutuloy ang project na ito .

it will get built...

the new renderings looks great.. too bad i cant copy it..

I can post it here, but won't that be illegal?

no i dont think so..

what an added beauty to our precious skyline :D...
by the way.. im new here.. i also have great passion for skyscrapers..
cheers!!

Welcome cyrusal!:)

Thank you :colgate:

its just the emporis Lopenz Centre page: http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=101844

i hope emporis' is the official/final rendering :D photos posted here don't look good at all IMO.

in reality i dont think the lopez have that kind of funds to build a skyscraper ?

nag start na?

it will be built...promise!! :D

Phase II is coming very soon...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/jafhoy/LopezCentre.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/jafhoy2/Pasig-River.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/jafhoy/LopezCentre.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/jafhoy2/Pasig-River.jpg

@c0kelitro0, this is a cool rendering and my first time to see it. I hope that Palafox Associates will really be involved in this project.

@c0kelitro0, this is a cool rendering and my first time to see it. I hope that Palafox Associates will really be involved in this project.

if im not mistaken, i think that's the pasig river project of palafox associates... tama ba ko???

^^ yup, that's the Pasig River redevelopment...Palafox is also involved in the Rockwell area...they're the local partners of SOM sa rockwell development.

tuloy ba yang pasig river redevelopment or it's just a proposal??? galing talaga ni palafox!!!

2015 daw!

whoa!!! ang tagal pa nun ah...

How about a commerical development right across Rockwell?

I thought the lopez family were trying to acquire the lands across rockwell, is that true?

Coke, is SOM really involved with Rockwell. If it is its nice to know a Chicago firm is active in the Philippines

SOM were the consultants for the master planning of rockwell, and som were consultants to several built buildings in makati also

2015 daw!

aahhhw :( since u mentioned pasig redevelopment, will construction starts in 2015? or completion date 2015? :)

I thought the lopez family were trying to acquire the lands across rockwell, is that true?

Coke, is SOM really involved with Rockwell. If it is its nice to know a Chicago firm is active in the Philippines

SOM designed the Lopez Centre ;) It's on their website...

aahhhw :( since u mentioned pasig redevelopment, will construction starts in 2015? or completion date 2015? :)

Completion na ata yung 2015...

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/jafhoy2/Pasig-River.jpg

I like the bridge on the foreground. :okay:

toinks... 2015 pa? maybe that will not be that interesting anymore...

^^ yeah youre right.. since most of the cities are very modern and looks like that and by then, it will just be your another old city..

and take note of the problems facing the Lopezes ryt now... :nono:

^^ yeah youre right.. since most of the cities are very modern and looks like that and by then, it will just be your another old city..

i disagree. Its not like other cities will be totally advanced by 2015. Sears Tower in Chicago was completed in 1973, and its still a big attraction and definitely not outdated yet.

I agree with Grey. This Pasig reclamation project will only enhance and add to the beauty of the whole area so that's why it will still be an interesting project in my book. I wonder where is Edsa in that Palafox rendering? :)

EDSA is before the arched bridge. It can't be seen in the photo.

I agree with Grey. This Pasig reclamation project will only enhance and add to the beauty of the whole area so that's why it will still be an interesting project in my book. I wonder where is Edsa in that Palafox rendering? :)

Yup. Besides, that project will only improve the Pasig river area...its much better than the current state of the river.

even if the pasig river rehabilitation could only achieve half of what is envisioned in the picture it would be a vast improvement already.. cant wait..

^^ yeah, true... i expect na it wouldn't turn out like that in the pic, well atleast it's redevelop in some way...

i disagree. Its not like other cities will be totally advanced by 2015. Sears Tower in Chicago was completed in 1973, and its still a big attraction and definitely not outdated yet.


there are so may landmarks now in the world.. think about... philippines is not as popular as other country is...

Can't the Lopezes just sell ABS-CBN? It's not profitable anymore. That'll give them funds to build the skyscraper.

^^ Probably for political power. Media is needed for politics. (O.T. : Were you one of the AP quiz bee contestants?)

Anyway, @c0kelitr0, how can you be sure Lopez centre would be built? Do you work for the Lopez family or Lopez company? Or do you have an inside info person.

Anyway, @c0kelitr0, how can you be sure Lopez centre would be built? Do you work for the Lopez family or Lopez company? Or do you have an inside info person.

i just know... ;)

That definitely look SOMy. But if this gets built first, we can claim that the design for NYC's Freedom Tower (also SOM) was copped from the Lopez Center. I believe this design has been floating around for many years now.

^^ Probably for political power. Media is needed for politics. (O.T. : Were you one of the AP quiz bee contestants?)

Yup. Were you there, too? How did you know??? :eek2:

@ Coke : Please tell us! How did you know!!! Please!!! I need to confirm the Lopez tower. Kung hindi mo maibigay, at least give us some updates!!! Please! :) :) :) :) :)
@ Cosmo:
Oh but alas! Nakita kita! Ako ang nakasalamin na nasa harap niyo(nakita ko yung ID mo at email add mo pareho). Dalawa lamang kami sa section I kaya natalo sa world history. Representative ako.

Oh, hehe... Better luck next time (joke!). Ang talas ng mata mo! Kita mo pa ID ko.

KAYO BA SUMAGOT NG 51.43?

^^ Wala kasi yung 3rd year rep namin kaya sayang ang sagot ko, anyway back to the topic.
Lopez tower link : www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=101844. Wala ba talagang update ito? Can anyone be a resource person for this project.

Can't the Lopezes just sell ABS-CBN? It's not profitable anymore. That'll give them funds to build the skyscraper.

I disagree. ABS-CBN had recently suffered major decline in its earnings but it still is profitable. Specifically due to robust sales of TFC.

@ Coke : Please tell us! How did you know!!! Please!!! I need to confirm the Lopez tower. Kung hindi mo maibigay, at least give us some updates!!! Please! :) :) :) :) :)

okay, okay...sabi ng friend ko, kailangan itayo ng family nila yung tower kasi it's sort of a legacy nila so whether may pera sila o wala, kailangan itayo and he said it with sureness in his voice kaya ganun na lang din ako ka-confident na itatayo talaga yan...it's something their family and future generations of their family could always be proud of...what's happening now sa rockwell is just the phase 1 pa lang...you can't start phase 2 pag hindi pa tapos ang phase 1 di ba? ano pa ba kailangan itayo sa phase 1? one rockwell 1, 2, 3 then, maybe meron pa...pag natapos na yan, dun pa lang sila magsisimula sa phase 2...okay? hehehe...

^^ and when is phase 2??

^^that remains to be a question for now ;)

Sana bumalik ang planong Ritz-Carlton Manila sa Rockwell.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/jafhoy2/Pasig-River.jpg

looks like I'm dreaming. :master:

bring this on. i want it.

That definitely look SOMy. But if this gets built first, we can claim that the design for NYC's Freedom Tower (also SOM) was copped from the Lopez Center. I believe this design has been floating around for many years now.

Yeah, its a recycled SOM design. I believe theres a couple towers proposed or u/c in Dubai with a similar design.

@ renell - who doesnt?:D

@ Fhoy - Thanks, i also believe that they will build Lopez Tower...even if it will take time and there is already a new tallest even taller than their proposal.:) I wonder what else is left for phase I. And maybe the bridge crossing the Pasig river is in phase II?

Though that design isn't exactly very detailed, they're just blue skyscrapers, and of course Rockwell is a mixed bag, not just blue-green scrapers. Perhaps they are planning to expand their property to across the river, with a foot bridge connecting?

Business World (20 February 2006)
Lopez-owned Rockwell Land Corp. wants to expand its flagship project, the 15-hectare Rockwell Center, and has started negotiations with owners of neighboring properties.

In an interview, Nestor Padilla, president, told BusinessWorld the firm wants to expand Rockwell Center because it now only has three lots left to develop.

The Rockwell Center is a mixed-use project in Makati City which has office buildings, upscale residential condominiums, a school and a mall. The three lots that are yet to be developed are the area that is currently being used as a parking lot for the Ateneo graduate school, a lot beside the mall that has been allocated for a hotel, and the lot that is allocated for the Lopez Tower.

"We’ve invested so much in Rockwell. We’ve been talking to our neighbors and hopefully we can make Rockwell Center not just 15 hectares, but eventually make it 30 hectares," Mr. Padilla said.

He said the company has been in talks with the factory owners beside Rockwell Center as well as those on the other side of Pasig River.

"There’s so many factories around us. One day they will have to redevelop that," he said.

Rockwell Center, Mr. Padilla said, has initiated talks with SC Johnson and Colgate Palmolive which have properties along Estrella Street and beside Rockwell Center.

He said that across Pasig River, the company has already started talks with manufacturing firm Noah’s Ark for a 2.5-hectare property and Apollo Steel for a five-hectare property.

Mr. Padilla said Rockwell can expand across Pasig River since the government is planning to build a bridge that will extend Estrella Street over the river.

"The government wants to get it built. We’re hoping we can do something across the river and get the bridge built," he said.

He said Rockwell Land will try to enter into joint ventures with these land owners, since the company wants to "preserve its capital."

He added if the company is able to get additional land for Rockwell Center, it will develop these into more residential towers.

Mr. Padilla said the newly acquired land will be developed ahead of the three existing vacant lots of Rockwell Center.

"The three will be the last to go," he said.

Why it has a thread already ? Wishful thinking pa lang naman yata kung matutuloy ang construction nito?

Well... good point but Projects on the Rise's boudnaries have become very fluent, it's not just to keep updates of u/c buildings, it's real estate investment, old and future buildings now.

I thought this was going to materialize, I guess you should never have high hopes for such a fantastic project.

Kind of misnomer kasi " Projects on the Rise " so it means ( for me ) its currently undergoing construnction already because sometimes even projects in u/c status goes into halt due to problems midway thru the project maybe add something like " Proposals and Projects on the Rise " to be broader in scope .

"projects on the rise" is about both proposals and u/c's...you can take the word "rise" literally or as a figure of speech.

Then this thread can be also considered as Proposed 320m tower : Lopez Center as that is its true status as of now.

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/jafhoy2/Pasig-River.jpg



How do you suppose they'll get Pasig looking that clean?

:lol: im very optomistic but i would say not in our lifetime :lol:

How do you suppose they'll get Pasig looking that clean?

first they have to make Laguna Lake that clean... :)

or a lot of chlorine :D

also note that little inlet on the left of photo. Rockwell must be planning something big to rival BGC...

wow if they're going to use chlorine to clean the river, it's better to invest now in a chlorine manufacturing company dont you think? coz they're gonna be needing a lot... which means a lot of money, too... lolz :jk:

now that you mentioned it, what could be that "inlet" is for?

That's possible , if they will be successful in acquiring adjacent properties of old factories . I hope they can contribute in enhancement on that stretch of the river.

That's possible , if they will be successful in acquiring adjacent properties of old factories . I hope they can contribute in enhancement on that stretch of the river.

Yeah acquiring adjacent properties is a good idea, but they should have prioritized partnering with Metroclub so they won't get a hard time (and a bad rep.) trying to block Metropolitan's view with their One Rockwell project.
It's a no-win situation for them, they block Metropolitan's view, their view also gets blocked. :nono:

wala n rin yang lopez centre kpag ntapos sa 2015. bka 350 meters n ang average height ng mga buildings sa ibang cities by that time e yung lopez centre e 320 meters lang.

^^^ thats seems to be what Shanghai want to be,... based on the height of they're U'C projects

:speech:sorry for bumping, but according to the Rockwell Thread, :poke: report says that Lopez Center will start Construction this year. :hm:

^^According to the report last night on Business Nightly, Rockwell will start to build the Lopez Tower this year.

is this for real?

:speech:sorry for bumping, but according to the Rockwell Thread, :poke: report says that Lopez Center will start Construction this year. :hm:And I just read it on the Rockwell Center thread just a few seconds ago. I knew someone was going to mention that here ^_^ .

Hard to imagine that the Philippines' future tallest building would begin this year. I thought that would happen after Rockwell expands over the Pasig. Maybe they changed their minds?

Man, im excited! :banana: :banana: :banana:

Hopefully, SkyCity would push through also (even though im not too fond with the design)

:speech:sorry for bumping, but according to the Rockwell Thread, :poke: report says that Lopez Center will start Construction this year. :hm:

Indeed they are! I have a friend who works as the Project Inspector for the South tower of Joya. He told me last night that they’re currently reviewing the construction plans for their upcoming projects. He even mentioned interesting developments in the pipeline at Lopez’s Meralco lot in Ortigas. ^^

thye'll probably revise the height though. did it say how tall it would be?

thye'll probably revise the height though. did it say how tall it would be?

hopefully not, but if they will, all hope is for more height!

Indeed they are! I have a friend who works as the Project Inspector for the South tower of Joya. He told me last night that they’re currently reviewing the construction plans for their upcoming projects. He even mentioned interesting developments in the pipeline at Lopez’s Meralco lot in Ortigas. ^^

That doesn't mean anything! Bumping this thread is just a waste of people's attention since they will just get excited, then be extremely disappointed that we don't even have a single article to provide solid updates.... :mad2:

thye'll probably revise the height though. did it say how tall it would be?

I can’t recall, I think I forgot to ask. We were on a Friday night out, he arrived late and I was tipsy when I conversed with him. Sorry guys. I’m positive his info is reliable. I’ll try to get in touch with him later. Errk!

That doesn't mean anything! Bumping this thread is just a waste of people's attention since they will just get excited, then be extremely disappointed that we don't even have a single article to provide solid updates.... :mad2:


:runaway: :runaway: :runaway:

lol...

then again... i hope its all true... its been overdue :dunno:

That doesn't mean anything! Bumping this thread is just a waste of people's attention since they will just get excited, then be extremely disappointed that we don't even have a single article to provide solid updates.... :mad2:

ooops sorry again! no more from me. i'll just ask the guy to post here if he's interested. :)

ooops sorry again! no more from me. i'll just ask the guy to post here if he's interested. :)

@allan_dude, not to worry. A lot of people in this forum have an enormous amount of patience waiting for projects of this magnitude to happen. Just give an update of things as they happen.

Peace and more power . . .

let's wait and see. if rumors are true, then we have something to celebrate!!! Lopez Centre got no more reason to ignore all impetus for it to be erected.

gr8 stuf...im glad its happening or at least were hearing something about this even if its speculation or not

12 February, 2007
Article by Honey Madrilejos-Reyes
Reporter, BusinessMirror

THE Lopez-controlled Rockwell Land Corp. will spend nearly P10 billion in a five-year development program that includes various property development projects and the construction of an office building for business process outsourcing (BPO) in the Ortigas commercial district.

For this year alone, company president Nestor Padilla said they will be allotting P2 billion to fund the continued development of its residential towers at Rockwell Center and the construction of a BPO building near Medical City in Ortigas.

“We have the money to fund these projects,” Padilla told BusinessMirror. “But should we need more, we can easily tap a P2.5-billion facility being offered to us by two financial institutions. Debts are still the cheapest way of raising funds,” he told BusinessMirror.

The plan is to build three BPO buildings and a residential enclave.

“We now have gotten approval for us to start redevelopment of portions of [the] Meralco property,” Padilla said. We’re looking at carving out 1.3 hectares just beside Medical City… that will house three… BPO buildings. And we’re also working [at an] initial residential enclave in that part. The planning is actually in the very, very advanced stage.”

He said Rockwell Land will start constructing the first BPO building this June and expects to complete it after a year.

“We are thinking of building a 10- to 15-story building that can accommodate more than 8,000 seats. If the demand is strong, we will immediately build the two other buildings,” Padilla said.

Building the three BPO towers will require total funding of P1.5 billion. The budget for the residential enclave, on the other hand, was not yet divulged, but the plan of the company is to put up a tower with 25 to 30 floors.

The company will also revisit the plan to develop the Lopez Tower, which it planned on doing before the Asian financial crisis erupted in 1997.

“That is a 60,000-square-meter gross leasable landmark tower that can house a 65-story building and I think the time is right for us to revisit it. It will complete Rockwell Center as a self-contained center, with residential, office, mall and school,” Padilla said.

The development of the Lopez Tower will cost between P3.5 billion and P4.5 billion. The plan is to develop the upper half either as a hotel or serviced apartments and the lower half as commercial office spaces.

“If we start the development of the Lopez Tower this year, it will take us four years to finish it,” Padilla said.

Formed in 1995, Rockwell Land is a real-estate development company initially tasked to develop prime residential and commercial land located adjacent to the Makati central business district.

Its flagship project, Rockwell Center, is a living environment that combines residential, office, educational, entertainment and shopping in a self-contained and exclusive community. Its development began in early 1996.

Rockwell Centre sits on a 15.5-hectare property which used to house a Meralco power plant.

Rockwell Land is 51-percent owned by Meralco, 24.5 percent by Benpres Holdings Corp. and 24.5 percent by First Philippine Holdings Corp.

hmmm.... wow.. I hope they'll push through..

imo since they're just starting with the construction of one rockwell, i doubt lopez center will happen anytime this year

Rockwell begins P10-B, five-yr. development plan
THE COMPANY CAN ALSO ACCESS P2.5-B FACILITY
By Honey Madrilejos-Reyes

Reporter

THE Lopez-controlled Rockwell Land Corp. will spend nearly P10 billion in a five-year development program that includes various property development projects and the construction of an office building for business process outsourcing (BPO) in the Ortigas commercial district.

For this year alone, company president Nestor Padilla said they will be allotting P2 billion to fund the continued development of its residential towers at Rockwell Center and the construction of a BPO building near Medical City in Ortigas.

“We have the money to fund these projects,” Padilla told BusinessMirror. “But should we need more, we can easily tap a P2.5-billion facility being offered to us by two financial institutions. Debts are still the cheapest way of raising funds,” he told BusinessMirror.

The plan is to build three BPO buildings and a residential enclave.

“We now have gotten approval for us to start redevelopment of portions of [the] Meralco property,” Padilla said. We’re looking at carving out 1.3 hectares just beside Medical City… that will house three… BPO buildings. And we’re also working [at an] initial residential enclave in that part. The planning is actually in the very, very advanced stage.”

He said Rockwell Land will start constructing the first BPO building this June and expects to complete it after a year.

“We are thinking of building a 10- to 15-story building that can accommodate more than 8,000 seats. If the demand is strong, we will immediately build the two other buildings,” Padilla said.

Building the three BPO towers will require total funding of P1.5 billion. The budget for the residential enclave, on the other hand, was not yet divulged, but the plan of the company is to put up a tower with 25 to 30 floors.

The company will also revisit the plan to develop the Lopez Tower, which it planned on doing before the Asian financial crisis erupted in 1997.

“That is a 60,000-square-meter gross leasable landmark tower that can house a 65-story building and I think the time is right for us to revisit it. It will complete Rockwell Center as a self-contained center, with residential, office, mall and school,” Padilla said.

The development of the Lopez Tower will cost between P3.5 billion and P4.5 billion. The plan is to develop the upper half either as a hotel or serviced apartments and the lower half as commercial office spaces.

“If we start the development of the Lopez Tower this year, it will take us four years to finish it,” Padilla said.

Formed in 1995, Rockwell Land is a real-estate development company initially tasked to develop prime residential and commercial land located adjacent to the Makati central business district.

Its flagship project, Rockwell Center, is a living environment that combines residential, office, educational, entertainment and shopping in a self-contained and exclusive community. Its development began in early 1996.

Rockwell Centre sits on a 15.5-hectare property which used to house a Meralco power plant.

Rockwell Land is 51-percent owned by Meralco, 24.5 percent by Benpres Holdings Corp. and 24.5 percent by First Philippine Holdings Corp.

:applause:

that is one big news!!!

Finally! Now, it's time to celebrate:cheers:

Rockwell begins P10-B, five-yr. development plan

This is a repost, see #100. It is good news so no worries. It's fine. :colgate:

where exactly in rockwell is the Lopez Center Tower going to be at?

The Lopez Center Tower will be facing the J.P. Rizal Avenue by the Pasig River.

ayusin naren sana ng makati ang jp rizal roads. hindi tagpi tagpi at lubak lubak.

Wha good news a lot of activity coming from these guys. So Meralco will be developed as well soon interesting.

I really hope and pray that the Lopez tower will be continued and in it's original 300 meter form so that MM willhave it's first 300 m building!

Good to hear...but i wont get excited just yet.

Mr. Elpidiforo Cuna, the Lopez Group official spokesman and Meralco's VP for Public Relations, could be our best source of information on this project.

so there's truth in my chismis!

cheers!!

Rockwell Land eyeing IPO this year


BY LIZA REYES

The Philippine stock market's bull run has caught the eye of the Lopez group's prime property developer, Rockwell Land Corp., which is now considering going public this year, a company official said.


"It could be this year, because the capital market is not going to wait for you," Rockwell Land president Nestor Padilla told ABS-CBN News when asked for the IPO's timetable.


Rockwell Land, which is 51-percent held by Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), transformed the former powerplant in Makati, into an upscale mixed-use community.


"I think we've built a brand. I think we have to convince ourselves and our principals that the growth story is intact and it's exciting enough to make a go for it," Padilla said.


But even if the IPO plan does not happen this year, Rockwell will still earmark P10 billion over the next four years for its various property projects, including the construction of the Rockwell crown jewel -- the 65-storey Lopez Tower.


Rockwell originally planned to build The Lopez Tower in the mid-90s but shelved the project due to the Asian financial crisis.

The property firm, however, was revisiting the project due to the recovery in the real estate sector.

The Lopez Tower, which has a 60,000-sq m gross leasable landmark tower, will complete Rockwell Center as a self-contained center, with residential condominiums, office towers, a shopping mall and school.

The development of the Lopez Tower will cost the company between P3.5 and P4.5 billion. The plan is to develop the upper half of the tower either as a hotel or service apartments, and the lower part as commercial office spaces.

"If we start the development of the Lopez Tower this year, it will take us four years to finish it," Padilla said.


Apart from this, Rockwell Land will also redevelop portions of the Meralco property into three business process outsourcing (BPO) buildings.

"We are thinking of building a 10 to 15 storey building that can accommodate more than 8,000 seats. If the demand is strong, we will immediately build the two other buildings," Padilla said.


Rockwell Land will start the construction of the first BPO building this June and expects to complete it after a year.

^^ Yikes traffic in Rockwell will be worse when this office building ever gets erected. Hope they make provisions...:ohno:

The dates of these articles would be nice to see if they are old or new. But I will not celebrate until the building is actually topped off, assuming it actually starts construction. The only reason why the Lopez Tower did not go up the first time around is not because of the Asian Crisis but the poor performance of First Philippine Holdings as a company that has little to do with the Asian crisis. I'd be more comfortable if they succeed on the IPO so they would be accountable to the shareholders for this project to be delivered, not just to themselves.

In the meantime for my own personal satisfaction, I will ask my wealthy uncle (who is a good friend of the Lopez family and actually was invited to that infamous "party", and purchased a unit at Rizal Tower at that "party") to see if I can squeeze more info... ;)

hopefully they do some revisions on the plans to make the design up to date....it's kinna out dated i think

I believe these are recent articles but of course iba ang announcement, iba to actually build it. Let us hold our breaths and turn blue then hopefully it will get built already. Baka masagot ang mga dasal ng mga tao dito na maitayo ang gusaling ito kasama ng skycity and Manila tower para may tatlong bago tayong Philippines Tallest na Tower.:tiasd:

...what if the asian financial crisis never happened???

...i think Manila will be well over the top ten skylines in the world...

...EGI and Lopez... along with other buildings such as SM-KS and Ayala towers 2 and 3 :)

oh well...

^^ The failure of EGI with regards to Skycity also has little to do with the Asian crisis. Its all to do with those evil East Greenhills Association NIMBYs. Many supertall skyscraper proposals were killed because of these evil creme de la creme jackasses. They are a scourge of the earth and must be nullified at first opportunity... :rant:

The jury is still out on SM-KS and as for Ayala Tower 2 and 3....that was just a ploy to get the stock exchange solely on Ayala Avenue. The fact that its still in the office complex shown in my avatar, it ain't gonna happen now and forever....

^^ I do also think those articles are very very recent, with the inclusion of the Meralco lot plans.

^^ The failure of EGI with regards to Skycity also has little to do with the Asian crisis. Its all to do with those evil East Greenhills Association NIMBYs. Many supertall skyscraper proposals were killed because of these evil creme de la creme jackasses. They are a scourge of the earth and must be nullified at first opportunity... :rant:

The jury is still out on SM-KS and as for Ayala Tower 2 and 3....that was just a ploy to get the stock exchange solely on Ayala Avenue. The fact that its still in the office complex shown in my avatar, it ain't gonna happen now and forever....

i see... well i wonder what will happen in the future in that triangle... for sure somethings going to get built on there, right? ...maybe in 5 years or so... lol

The dates of these articles would be nice to see if they are old or new. But I will not celebrate until the building is actually topped off, assuming it actually starts construction. The only reason why the Lopez Tower did not go up the first time around is not because of the Asian Crisis but the poor performance of First Philippine Holdings as a company that has little to do with the Asian crisis. I'd be more comfortable if they succeed on the IPO so they would be accountable to the shareholders for this project to be delivered, not just to themselves.

In the meantime for my own personal satisfaction, I will ask my wealthy uncle (who is a good friend of the Lopez family and actually was invited to that infamous "party", and purchased a unit at Rizal Tower at that "party") to see if I can squeeze more info... ;)

source: www.abs-cbnNews.com (02/13/07 as of 10:28 AM)

i see... well i wonder what will happen in the future in that triangle... for sure somethings going to get built on there, right? ...maybe in 5 years or so... lol

More like a 100 years and that only when Metro Manila turns into Coruscant or Blade Runner's LA... ;)

Basta ako may landing area para sa starship ko! hehe stranger things can happen (ana nicole smith anyone!) I can feel it in my bones, we're going to see some outstanding projects soon. Nahihiyang palang ang big boys, it will take a visionary entrepreneur and we'll get the whole thing up again. Even Meralco Center is starting to get redeveloped, they may put up a tall one there too and that would make a lot of sense if this first lopez center works.

.....the world is full of suspense and What Ifs..... we'll see in the next couple years when office projects will come out just like pre-AFC... cant wait

but first... lets get this supertall off the ground!

well if it takes five years to complete one they better get started soon.

Even Meralco Center is starting to get redeveloped, they may put up a tall one there too and that would make a lot of sense if this first lopez center works.


i hope we will not be made to semi finance it via hidden charges in our electric bills :bash:

how tall will be ayala tower 2 and 3 be...From what I've heard about this stale/cancelled proposal, Ayala Tower II was going to have 50 floors, and Ayala Tower III was going to have 70 floors.

...and what is SM-KSSM-KS is now known as SM-KL (SM Group + Keppel Land). It's a future project that'll be that will include two 55-storey office towers and one 70-storey apartment tower.

Phase-1 consisted of The Podium mall.
Phase-2 will be the 55-storey office tower above The Podium.
Future phases will involve expanding The Podium along with building the other two towers.
http://img250.imageshack.us/img250/6663/astoriaplaza051506do9.jpg

-------------------------------------
Lopez Centre, in my opinion, might have the best chance of getting started compared to the other possible towers ("Manila Tower" [the one shaped like a flag] and SM-KL). I just hope it pushes through, Metro Manila is in dire need of a supertall.

nice projects

hey, thats a rendering of SM-KS that i've never seen before. I've only seen the other one. You can clearly see that "The Podium" is the podium for the tallest tower.

According to an SM/BDO guy I just had coffee with, that project above is still on but apparently SM is waiting for Keppel to cough up their side, apparently Keppel is not that keen to put more money in and will probably take a lot more time.

Anyway OT na tayo. Hope to see some NEW Rockwell renderings soon.

may bagong rendering ba ang lopes tower?

yeah...sorry for the OT. This is somewhat related to Lopez Centre, when are they going to build a new bridge from Rockwell (Estrella st. is it?) across the Pasig river to Mandaluyong?

may bagong rendering ba ang lopes tower?

Wala pa yata. But I hope that they revise the design. I'm sure they're aware that this is going to be the tallest for the country so they should make it an icon.

yeah...sorry for the OT. This is somewhat related to Lopez Centre, when are they going to build a new bridge from Rockwell (Estrella st. is it?) across the Pasig river to Mandaluyong?


hopefully something like the Estrella flyover from EDSA that goes straight to Rockwell Center... coz that JP Rizal is so clogged with jeeps traffic there is always horrendous

Wala pa yata. But I hope that they revise the design. I'm sure they're aware that this is going to be the tallest for the country so they should make it an icon.

Yeah, I hope they do indeed revise the design since the current design kinda reminds you of the Freedom Tower in NYC. But in this case, it is not the Philippines that is being a "copycat" since the Lopez Tower was designed first. In reality, SOM, the architect of both projects, was just in the recycling mood... :lol:

According to the report last night on Business Nightly, Rockwell will start to build the Lopez Tower this year. Wow this is great news if this news is accurate.

Hey, who is planning to buy Rockwell Land shares if and when they have their IPO? I know I am since for every dollar, I mean peso, we pump into their capital raising plan, it goes towards the construction of the Lopez Tower (and it better be in their core business plan otherwise, don't buy). :naughty:

^^ Well, I just bought Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) shares...and that's AFTER they started building the TRAG...hehe

So I guess Rockwell Land would be a good idea too..so they can start building that thing and make everyone here happy. You can say that I would buy.

The problem is waiting for that IPO. Everytime I call my broker..he says "Wala pa!" :dunno:

^^ Yeah! I asked my broker that too again and again. He tried to pitch me another stock but nuts to that! I want those Rockwell Land shares!!! :D

:lol: :rofl:

Hey, who is planning to buy Rockwell Land shares if and when they have their IPO? I know I am since for every dollar, I mean peso, we pump into their capital raising plan, it goes towards the construction of the Lopez Tower (and it better be in their core business plan otherwise, don't buy). :naughty:

How much?

This Lopez Tower in Rockwell....saan siya ipupuwesto?

Sa likod ng Joya Towers 1 & 2?

^^ Here is the original model from the late 1990s with the original Lopez Centre design.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4766/pic16hw.jpg

You know...the particular version above isn't really that tall as compared to the existing Rizal Tower.... :sly:

Below are other versions/rendering of it.

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y215/jafhoy/LopezCentre.jpg

http://i33.photobucket.com/albums/d83/jafhoy2/Pasig-River.jpg

The jury is still out on what the actual building will look like. Since the latest rendering kinda resembles the Freedom Tower that is already underconstruction in NYC (no surprise since SOM is the architect of both projects), it may change...

^^ Here is the original model from the late 1990s with the original Lopez Centre design.

http://img209.imageshack.us/img209/4766/pic16hw.jpg

You know...the particular version above isn't really that tall as compared to the existing Rizal Tower.... :sly:


^^ i lost my bearing looking at that one :nuts: the mall isn't there, no Joya...

^^ Because its an old model. The big vacant lot is where the new buildings (i.e. Joya, Manansala) as well as the small office buildings (Phimna, Nestle) are, I believe. NOTE that Lopez Centre was suppose to be part of Phase I back in the day!!!!!:rant:

^ actually that vacant lot in the model is where Powerplant mall is. Joya, Manansala, Phinma and Nestle would be further to the right, cut from the picture.

It's the parking lot in front of the Club!

Its kinda confusing how the top of this baby is gonna look like. One of the rendering is the old one, the other is too dark, while the most recent one by the Palafox doesn't seem to show the diagonally placed "peek-a-boo" square holes on the fins. I wish the'd release new renderings for the country's first 1000 footer.

when are the lopez planning to build this 1000 foot building? is it this yr ?

wow nagpost ulit si jefryi!

^^ wassup dood. ive been busy kasi, nabwibwisit sa uni. kelan ka ulit uwi sa PI? sama ka sa akin sa mindanao magcampaign para kay uncle jamalul! hehe

para di daw ma-OT..

I wonder what are the chances of this getting built now that there's that Fairmont project in Ayala Center. Ritz Carlton is supposed to be occupying the top floors, right? I thought that Arab prince also partly owns Four Seasons and Ritz Carlton?

^^ Ritz Carlton occupying the top floors? Where did you hear that?

^I heard it from the birds. hehe I thought I read it here a long time ago???

^No, the news here long time ago is that Ritz Carlton will be occupying a building built on top of Power Plant Mall. As we all know, that hotel building was never built.

That original design is very ugly compared with the existing towers in Rockwell which I love, looks out of place.

^^ i agree... the old design looks more like a cell site tower imo :lol:

Actually the hole for that tower still exist. Just remember there's a big hole where the bridge is. 3 stories down. It's all ready.

:cheers:

Rockwell listing to fund Lopez Center

Lopez-owned Rockwell Land Corp. is building its icon structure — the 65-floor Lopez Center — in the 15.5-hectare Rockwell Center within the year and is planning to go public to raise funds for the construction.

The firm is spending up to P5 billion for the project, which will sit on a 65,000 square meter lot behind the Power Plant Mall, Assistant Vice-President for Business Development Ninalyn S. Cordero told BusinessWorld.

"The Lopez Center has been in the master plan for so long. It’s going to be the highest building in the country and the plan is to consolidate all Lopez offices in that building," she said.

The building will take three to four years to construct. It is expected to fully operate by 2011.

Lopez Center is targeting the upper market particularly international firms. "It’s all office for now. We are categorizing it as a premier office building and envisioning it to house the main headquarters of multinational companies," Ms. Cordero said.

Outside Rockwell Center, the Lopez-owned property developer is also planning to put up a 20-storey office building on a 60,000 to 75,000 sqm. property in Pasig, which will cater to business-process-outsourcing companies.

The company is setting aside P3 billion for the project.

The company is also targeting residential and retail components outside its flagship project.

Ms. Cordero said proceeds from the planned initial public offering (IPO) would also be used for these expansion projects. "We are talking to various financial advisers for the IPO. The clamor is to do it this year because of the strong market. If we can do it by end of 2007, then we will do so."

The firm is aiming to raise $100 million, from the shares sale, she added.

The company is spending P2 to P3 billion for capital expenditures this year to partly fund various projects.

Rockwell on Wednesday inaugurated a new information center. It also broke ground for residential condominium complex One Rockwell.

In May 2002, it started construction of a condominium project, The Manansala, which had 98% market take-up as of December 2005 at around which time the project was completed.

In January 2004, Rockwell launched the Joya, a new residential tower on the east side of Rockwell Center.

The project broke ground on Aug. 27, 2004, with 82% market take-up as of end-2005. Total estimated cost to complete the project amounted to P4.6 billion. Joya topped off its South Tower five months ahead of schedule last Wednesday. Rockwell expects to complete the Joya by 2008.

Rockwell the property development arm of the Lopez group, has posted around P10 billion in revenues from selling out its Joya residential towers and increasing sales of its One Rockwell development in its recently concluded roadshow to the United States. — Bernardette S. Sto. Domingo

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW032307/content.php?id=041

WOW I HOPE THIS PANS OUT!!!! this is amazing!

What will be the design of the Lopez Center Tower? Will they stick with the present design? I hope they upgrade the design of this iconic tower.

Whoo hooo! Now all we need to do is wait for the IPO so some of us can help fund the project and at the same time, make a few bucks on the side! :yes:

Guys! we should help by buying shares from rockwell land when they go public hehehe. kahit isang share lang each SSC member. LOL

ok. that sounds exciting fhoy. but the question is how? can we have a trusted fund manager? hehe...you can count me in...i mean on the investment. :) let's try something new this time. after all, it's the country's tallest!

^^ Lets be realistic though. I think you need to order a minimum of 100 or 1,000 shares, depending on the terms of the issue. So buying a single share is not possible. However, there are some online brokerage firms where you can simply open up your own investment account with a minimum capital. We all know what we want to buy anyway... :yes:

So yes, I think its an excellent idea that as skyscraper enthusiasts, we should all buy some Rockwell Land shares when they go public. And we the forumers can form our own investment club. We would be doing our part to help fund the tallest building in our country to make it a reality and at the same time, be rewarded through stock price appreciation. Plus we get to be invited to those annual shareholders meeting where they can further give us more details on the progress of the building. :okay:

i like the the design...SOM design is minimal.lopez center is another landmark
of makati

looks very promising Sir Efren. I like the idea of receiving the dividends and attending the annual stockholder's meetings. :D

^^ One of us, or all of us? Imagine the shareholders meeting with a bunch of ssc teenagers:D

Do you have an idea kung magkano ang shares? Tsaka kung kelan ang IPO nila?

^^ One of us, or all of us? Imagine the shareholders meeting with a bunch of ssc teenagers:D

Not just a bunch of SSC teenagers-- a bunch of teenagers who know more about architecture than the rest of the shareholders in the meeting. All the questions asked will be like "What's the FAR for that property?" "Curtain wall?" "Structural integrity between concrete and steel?" and so on and so on... All coming from the mouths of the youth.

btw-- count on the design to change if ever it gets built. the original design and the second design shown in previous pages look like Freedom Tower version 1 (orig, twisting with "net") and Freedom Tower version 2 (current design, with the tapering sides).

lol, can we rightfully claim that this is Freedom Tower's daddy? <.<

^^ The design hasn't been confirmed yet..

^ also the politics involved with NY's Freedom Tower are almost as bad as the politics involved in NAIA T3. So who know? Maybe Lopez Tower, if it gets built, will be up before Freedom Tower.

yes by 2011 tapos na
mauuna pa sya sa naia3

Lope Tower nalang for Renell. (will he ever come back? pati pa si Cha... teka lang... pareho silang nawala same time.... hmmmm.....)

Ok i can afford a few shares. Im in.

Lope Tower nalang for Renell. (will he ever come back? pati pa si Cha... teka lang... pareho silang nawala same time.... hmmmm.....)

I've seen renell around. He makes a post or two once in a while.

What if SOM uses another design since Freedom Tower took its earlier design.

^^huh. A possibility. If SOM is still the company to build this, I would actually rather have them build it with Burj Dubai / Trump Chicago style facade. Those facades are hawts.

looks very promising Sir Efren. I like the idea of receiving the dividends and attending the annual stockholder's meetings. :D


hehe, you guys! already counting your chicks before the eggs even hatch? :nuts: j/k


i hope it's fast tracked and that they do get to start this project this year... keeping my fingers crossed

I kinda like the Freedom Tower design though and Lopez was designed first so its not like we are the copy cat. Besides, wouldn't it be nice for a change if the major building in the US is copied after a Philippine building as oppose to the other way around? :yes:

^^ One of us, or all of us? Imagine the shareholders meeting with a bunch of ssc teenagers:D

That would be me :lol:
but i still have to wait one more year to go to pinas for college :nuts:

i hope they would also push thru with the ritz carlton hotel

use BPI trade.. I have a trading account there for a minimum maintaining balance of only P 5,000.00. Hope I can help. :)

hehe, you guys! already counting your chicks before the eggs even hatch? :nuts: j/k


i hope it's fast tracked and that they do get to start this project this year... keeping my fingers crossed

hehe...you're right madam. but it helps if you are optimistic and hopeful. :cheers: after all, hope sustains the soul...heheh...i dunno. hope is like an anchor to me. without it, you'll be like a ship swayed to and fro by the waves.

who said we'll be having a street party for this tower? :D let's wait for the groundbreaking ceremony then we can party. and then someone from SSC will be giving up progress reports and photos of this tower. just like what they do with famous supertalls like HK's International Commerce Centre or maybe Trump Tower.

magkano ang shares if it were to go public this year?!?!

Just want to share some world's tallest, on-going and proposed.[/CENTER]


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o296/praetorian_8/buildings/Alburj1.jpg

AL BURJ, soon enough! 200+ floors; 3937 ft (1200 meters)


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o296/praetorian_8/buildings/burj_dubai.jpg

Burj Dubai, on-going; 160 floors; 808 - 1000 meters

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o296/praetorian_8/buildings/burjalalam.jpg

Burj Al Alam, soon enough![/CENTER]

^^ When do we see Burj manila??

Just want to share some world's tallest, on-going and proposed.


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o296/praetorian_8/buildings/Alburj1.jpg


I was curious to see what developments was going with this tower and went to the last unread post. This image was the first thing I saw. For the moment there, I thought this was going to the new model for the Lopez Tower. I guess it's not. DAMN.

Just want to share some world's tallest, on-going and proposed.

http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o296/praetorian_8/buildings/Alburj1.jpg
AL BURJ, soon enough! 200+ floors; 3937 ft (1200 meters)


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o296/praetorian_8/buildings/burj_dubai.jpg
Burj Dubai, on-going; 160 floors; 808 - 1000 meters


http://i123.photobucket.com/albums/o296/praetorian_8/buildings/burjalalam.jpg
Burj Al Alam, soon enough!

sorry double post!

I love that Al Burj Building! It would be nice if that or similar to it is built here in Metro Manila but I doubt its feasible due to economic and security reasons. And here we are going coo coo ka ka over a proposed building just over 300 meters. Oh well, Dubai is in a different league as gothicform states, hence why you got your Nation Forum so quickly while we here in the Philippine Forums have to lobby and work our *sses for it for over a year...

Thanks for reminding me on how behind we are in the skyscraper race... :(

Anyway, I love Al Burj. It's really nicer than the Burj Dubai... I wonder how many buttons there will be on the elevators?

to be honest we've always been far behind so big deal. Our skyscrapers have yet to pierce 250m asides from PBcom..

Are we on a race though? :D

^^Nope, we are not on a race. And do all of you honestly believe that our country needs a tower as tall as Dubai's greatest? It would be a waste of money and it willl just uglify the skylines of the Metro. I would prefer this Lopez Center over any of the Burjs for Metro Manila.

Our architects should design a tallest building in the Philippines made of bamboo... :D (how off-topic :lol: )

taipei 101 is designed like a bamboo.. dapat coconut para original! :lol:

taipei 101 is designed like a bamboo.. dapat coconut para original! :lol:

hahaha...:nuts:

^^Nope, we are not on a race. And do all of you honestly believe that our country needs a tower as tall as Dubai's greatest? It would be a waste of money and it willl just uglify the skylines of the Metro. I would prefer this Lopez Center over any of the Burjs for Metro Manila.

That maybe true but if I happen to be the one that has the money and assuming I also own or could acquire the ideal site, I'd build the Al Burj or something like it right here in Metro Manila. It won't be in any of the major CBDs though but will definitely be where the LRT lines are.

taipei 101 is designed like a bamboo.. dapat coconut para original! :lol:

more likely "rice in a box" than bamboo :lol:

Surely there's more factors than money and site? I'm sure Ayala, Sy, Lopez, Lucio Tan or whoever has the money can build the tallest thing there is in the country, especially Sy who has all that land around MoA. Why do you think Lopez Center has been much talked about ever sine SSC Philippines has been born, yet nothing much has happened.

So who's cha? :D

Rockwell to start work on
Lopez Tower, BPO projects

ROCKWELL Land Corp. is set to
pour some P10 billion into different
property development and construc-
tion projects, including the shelved
Lopez Tower, in the next five years.
The company plans to allot P2B
for the development of its new resi-
dential towers in Rockwell Center
and the construction of a business
process outsourcing (BPO) facility
in Ortigas this year alone.
Rockwell president Nestor Padilla
said that the company has the money
to fund its projects and can tap into a
P2.5B facility being offered by two
financial institutions should the need
for additional funding arise.
The construction of the Lopez
Tower, which was shelved when the
Asian financial crisis hit in 1997,
may also push through this year.
“That is a 60,000-square-meter
gross leasable landmark tower that
can house a 65-story building and I
think the time is right for us to revisit
it,” Padilla said, adding that the tow-
er will complete Rockwell Center as
a self-contained center, with residen-
tial, office, mall and school.
“If we start the development of the
Lopez Tower this year, it will take us
four years to finish it,” Padilla noted.

^^ found it in another thread.i'm so excited about this!:D:banana: :banana:

OMG!!! Its finally becoming a reality :)

hope it gets built maybe after the elections..

^^ Hindi na chismis yan ha!

Hindi na yan!! WOOHOO.. all the way na ito.:D

wow!!

I hope bagong design gamitin nila. The old one looks dated, something fresh and organic would be good. IF you put the old one besides the new arquitectonica tower, it will look , well kingkongish, hehe. Something suttle and classy with no king kong crown but 100 floors at 5 meters per floor. Puede na iyan for me. After all these guys should build an iconic monument, it's named after them naman and they make so much money of us all.

^^ I totally agree naman sayo. Since the design by SOM of the Lopez tower looks the smaller version of 1 WTC in NYC. Sana it showcase the rich Filipino culture.

wow great news indeed! :okay:

OMG Finally!! they're building the tallest tower in the Philippines for Jenny!
from the block.. :D

Good God nabuhayan yata ako!

how tall will this be?

^ 320m (1,050 ft) with 65 floors according to the description in the thread title. :)

^^txns. where will it be built?

Rockwell Center.

whats the status of this project???

^^It's approved! Construction's about to start soon!

Nice! Really great news!

hope the lopez tower will be over 1000 feet?

great! Lopez Tower's up! whattabout the SkyCity!?! i hope the Skycity owners will do something now that the Lopez Tower has been revived. :D

That's good news, Is the design final? Because I think I want a new design for Lopez Tower. hehe, Oonga, They should revive skyscity too. Skycity looks similar to GA Skysuites haha.

i'm sooo excited about this tower!:D pagnagawa na ito, complete na ang skyline ng MM!:D kelan ba start ng construction?

Guys, the first indicator when this project will start is a press release about Rockwell Land's IPO. Until then, no one knows when this will start. Believe me, a lot of us are waiting for that IPO. Its the good way to help ensure that Lopez Tower is built and at the same time, make money out of it.

i can't wait to see this building in rockwell center.

Pinalabas sa TV Patrol nuong nakaraang buwan na itatayo na ito.

^^^ Great news, ABS-CBN is Lopez owned after all, so they would definitely try to hype this one up on the news.

Not much news but I suppose this has some relevance since it does concern Rockwell Land, its IPO and therefore the Lopez Tower...

http://www.gmanews.tv/story/46493/Benpres-to-sell-stakes-in-units-to-settle-400M-in-debt

Benpres to sell stakes in units to settle $400M in debt
CHERYL ARCIBAL, GMANews.TV
06/14/2007 | 09:52 AM
Email this | Email the Editor | Print | Digg this | Add to del.icio.us

Benpres Holdings Corp. will be selling its stakes several subsidiaries in order to pay off $400 million in loans, an official said Thursday.

Angel Ong, Benpres president and COO told reporters at the sidelines of its annual stockholders meeting that the company is planning to dispose 24.5 percent in Rockwell Land, 33 percent in Manila North Tollways Corp., and some shares in Sky Cable.

Ong said it may sell its stake in Rockwell Land through the stock market in time with the property unit's planned initial public offering. The MNTC stake may also be sold through the market as Benpres Holds it through First Philippine Infrastructure, a company which underwent backdoor listing early in the year via City Resources Philippines Corp.

The steady appreciation of the peso against the dollar, and the low interest rate environment, Ong said, put the company in a better position to restructure its loans.

"But this will still depend on the outcome of the negotiations with the creditors," Ong said. - GMANews.TV

^^ That's great news!

kainis naman yung nag-post ng dubai supertalls!:tongue: i was already getting high and higher reading your posts here on lopez tower and then suddenly nag-pop-up yung mga awesome supertalls ng dubai... sigh.. nawalan ako ng gana kumain, hehe... xempre joke lang yun! kudos to all behind the realization of lopez tower - metro manila's FIRST EVER iconic structure!:banana:

pero medyo di ko gusto yung location ng lopez tower. masmaganda sana kung malapit sya sa may pbcom para perfect na yung panoramic view ng skyline ng metro manila. medyo itatayo yata cya sa di gaanong dense na location.

ok lang yun. rockwell is just a stone throw away from makati cbd. babagay sya, i bet.

well, its good news that the lopez center will soon be realized.the location is good aswell however it is not an excellent location given the very narrow roads around it like jp rizal.another thing is that rockwell center is situated at a much lower elevation compared to makati CBD.so the tendency when the lopez center is built, its height wont be much emphasized..but i sure hope it gets built!!!

the location is fenced since few months ago pa. kaya tuloy na to...let's wait and see...

^mabuti naman

lopez tower - metro manila's FIRST EVER iconic structure!:banana:

Correction it will be the first supertall if built, icons can include lowrises, CCP is an icon

^pero ang tagal nang lopez tower amp

http://www.benpres-holdings.com/images/pix1.jpg
ito ung building na nakita ko sa benpres website nang lopez! ito ba ung lopez tower?

i dont think so..

Correction it will be the first supertall if built, icons can include lowrises, CCP is an icon

I think he just means first iconic tower.

i dont think so..

oh ok:)

Rockwell raises P2B from corporate notes

Lopez-Owned property developer Rockwell Land Corp. is issuing seven-year fixed rate corporate notes worth P2 billion for a plan to put up office buildings.

In a statement, the company said First Metro Investment Corp., a Metropolitan Bank subsidiary, and Philippine Commercial Capital, Inc. were tapped as the joint managers and lead underwriters.

Ninalyn S. Cordero, assistant vice-president for business development, said the issuance would be released in two tranches.

"It will be drawn in two tranches. The first tranch will be on August and the second one will be on first quarter next year," she said.

She declined to disclose the price for the bond issue.

Ms. Cordero said proceeds from the issuance would be used primarily for the construction of Rockwell’s business process outsourcing (BPO) complex in the Ortigas business district.

The BPO complex is Rockwell Land’s first project outside its 15.5-hectare Rockwell Center.

The Lopez-led firm said the BPO complex would rise on a 1.3-hectare property owned by the Manila Electric Co., which has a 51% stake in the firm.

The BPO complex, which is based on a campus-like concept, will consist of three buildings spaced far apart and spread between greenery.

The first tower will have 20 floors, while the second and third towers will have 15 and 10 floors, respectively.

The first and second towers are expected to be completed by the end of 2008.

Ms. Cordero, in an earlier interview, said the project would bring over 70,000 square meters of preferred office space aimed at addressing the growing demand for work environment catering to the needs of the booming BPO sector.

Rockwell Land, the property arm of Lopez’s holding group, is also planning to build the "Lopez Center" within the year. The firm has allotted up to P5 billion for the 65-storey structure, which will rise on 65,000-square meter lot behind the Power Plant Mall in Makati City

The building will be fully operational by year 2011 as construction will take three to four years.

The Lopez Center, the firm said, would cater to international companies that will house their main headquarters in the building.

Rockwell Land plans to go public to raise funds for this project. The firm aims to secure $100 million from the shares sale.

Previous projects of Rockwell Land included residential condominiums like One Rockwell, The Manansala and the Joya.

sweet.
hope it goes well this time around

any updates? :dunno:

nakatayo na sya sa divisoria

too early for discussion. :bash:

^^ well., its just a matter of time before they break ground on this one., they've already started construction of the BPO center in ortigas and number one rockwell is on full blast construction.

they've said it would start within the year, so hopefully we would see some movement on this, soon.,
:)

Rockwell Land plans a Q1 IPO (http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/10082007/companies02.html)

By Honey Madrilejos-Reyes
Reporter


THE Lopez-led Rockwell Land Corp. is going public by the first quarter of 2008.

In an interview, Benpres Holdings Corp. president and chief operating officer Angel S. Ong said the property developer, popular for its Rockwell Center in Makati City, has tapped Hong Kong-based investment banker CLSA to underwrite the initial share sale.

He did not elaborate on the IPO details, other than saying that most likely the shares will be offered to both domestic and foreign investors.

Rockwell Land is a joint venture among the Lopez-controlled firms, namely, Manila Electric Co., which controls 51 percent of the venture, Benpres with 24.5 percent, and First Philippine Holdings Corp. with 24.5 percent.

Ong said Benpres will sell its entire stake in Rockwell Land to raise proceeds and help settle a $400-million loan obligation with creditor-banks. He is not aware though of the plans of the two other owners.

Rockwell Land is spending nearly P10 billion this year until 2011 for various property development projects, including the construction of a BPO office building in the Ortigas area.

President Nestor Padilla told BusinessMirror earlier they will allot P2 billion this year alone, bulk of which will fund the continued development of its residential towers within Rockwell Centre and the construction of a BPO building near Medical City in Ortigas.

The BPO project is a part of redevelopment of the Meralco property. The plan is to build three BPO buildings and a residential enclave.

Building the three BPO towers will require a total funding of P1.5 billion. The budget for the residential enclave, on the other hand, was not yet divulged. The plan was to put a single tower with 25 to 30 floors.

The company will also revisit a plan to develop the Lopez Tower, which was up for construction just before the regional financial crisis erupted in 1997.

“That is a 60,000 square meter gross leasable landmark tower that can house a 65-story building and I think the time is right for us to revisit it. It will complete Rockwell Center as a self-contained center complete with residential, office, mall and school facilities,” Padilla said.

The development of the Lopez Tower will cost the company between P3.5 to P4.5 billion. The plan is to develop the upper half either as a hotel or service apartments and the lower part as commercial and office spaces.

“If we start the development of the Lopez Tower this year, it will take us four years to finish it,” Padilla said.

Formed in 1995, Rockwell Land is a real estate development company initially tasked to develop prime residential and commercial land located adjacent to the Makati central business district.

Its flagship project, Rockwell Centre, is a living environment integrating residential, office, educational, entertainment and shopping into a self-contained and exclusive community. It started development in early 1996. It sits on a property, which used to house a power plant owned by the Manila Electric Co.

bat parang inconsistent ang mga balita? sabi nung una they're "planning" na to build it within this year, then biglang "revisit" na lang ngayon, meaning pag-aaralan kung itatayo pa. wtf?

Rockwell defers planned market debut
CITING TIMING considerations, Lopez-owned property developer Rockwell Land Corp. has deferred a plan to list at the local bourse this year.

In an interview, Rockwell Land Assistant Vice-President for Business Development Ninalyn S. Cordero said the property developer had been looking at listing at the Philippine Stock Exchange this year, given the strong performance of the bourse.

The Powerplant Mall in Makati City But she added that next year would be a "more realistic" target.

"It is a timing consideration. This year could have been the earliest but next year seems to be more realistic. We are preparing for the IPO and we will see when the market timing will be right," she told BusinessWorld.

Rockwell, which is engaged in the construction and marketing of office space and high-end residential condominiums and the lease of retail space through its Powerplant Mall, had been planning to sell shares at the stock exchange to raise funds for the 65-storey Lopez Center.

The building, estimated to cost $100 million, will be the last project to be constructed in Rockwell’s 15.5-hectare Rockwell Center in Makati City. The office space will be fully operational by 2011.
Lopez-led First Philippine Holdings, Inc. owns 24.5% of Rockwell, while distribution utility Manila Electric Co. — also a Lopez-led firm — owns 51%. The remaining 24.5% stake is owned by Benpres Holdings Corp.

Benpres President and Chief Operating Officer Angel S. Ong told reporters last week that the IPO of Rockwell has been slated for next year.

He also said that Rockwell has appointed CLSA, a brokerage, investment banking and equity group under France’s Credit Agricole, as underwriter for its public offering.

Benpres, he added, planned to sell its entire stake in Rockwell and use the proceeds to pay off obligations.

" We need to pay our debt. We have to sign agreement with our creditors," he said.

Mr. Ong declined to say how much Benpres would raise from selling its 24.5% holdings, but noted that the property firm has a book value of P4 billion to P5 billion.

Benpres is the Lopez family’s holding company for investments in broadcasting and entertainment, cable television, telecommunications, power generation and distribution, infrastructure, real estate development, and health care delivery.

The company has been negotiating with creditors for a debt restructuring agreement. As of December 2006, it had $360 million and P2 billion in direct and contingent obligations, unchanged from principal debt as of December 2005.

In its 2006 audited financial statements, Benpres said it made semiannual interest payments on its direct and contingent obligations that are covered in its proposed balance sheet management plan.

The balance sheet management plan was announced in 2002 to address all its financial obligations involving activities to reduce debt and dispose non-core assets.


From bworld.com.ph

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