I believe this beautiful development needs it own thread in Projects and Construction thread so we can have people post updates here.

AYALA CENTER REDEVELOPMENT: Greening the Philippines

As the leading developer in the Philippines, Ayala Land Inc. is also at the forefront of sustainable design. Glorietta’s mixed-use redevelopment employs a “green strategy” that serves the company’s goals of creating energy efficiency and engaging the community. The green roof doubles as an urban park, turning retail focus outward and capturing foot traffic from a nearby mass transit station. Ramping systems establish a natural pedestrian thoroughfare, connecting the retail center to adjacent hotel and office towers. Natural ventilation and daylighting save energy while creating a comfortable environment.

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/2849/pdayalaglorietta1gj1.jpg

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/4418/pdayalaglorietta2ia7.jpg

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/1209/pdayalaglorietta3ue6.jpg

:applause: :bow: :master:


Ayala Center abuzz with new landscape
Manila Times
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2007/sept/23/yehey/property/20070923prop5.html

AYALA Center is abuzz with building new shopping, dining and entertainment facilities as it prepares to break ground for its new hotel project by year’s end.

This was revealed by Jaime Ayala, President and chief executive of Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) who said that the new facilities assure both customers and mall tenants that there will be no reduction in available retail space and facilities as current buildings are removed to make way for the new hotels to be built in partnership with the Kingdom Hotel Investments.

“We will make sure that concerns of all Ayala Center patrons, from the mall customers to the existing tenants and retailers, are addressed as we implement our new programs for Ayala Center in the coming year,” Ayala said.

Well underway is the construction of the Glorietta 5 (G5) and a new but still unnamed parking building, both designed to accommodate the movement of shops, entertainment and parking facilities as the 7,377-square-meter property at the corner of Makati Avenue and Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road), where the Park Square 2 mall and transport terminals currently stand is prepared to make way for the construction of the 300-room Fairmont Hotel, a 30-suite Raffles Hotel and 189 Raffles-branded residential units.

The hotel project is a $153-million joint venture between the Ayala group and Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, founder and chairman of Dubai-based Kingdom Hotel Investments and listed as the world’s 13th-richest person and the “most successful businessman in the Middle East.”

Slated to open in time for the start of the hotel projects on December 2007, the new car park complex has begun to rise in the Ayala Center area bound by Makati Avenue, The Landmark, Glorietta 4 and The Shangri-La Hotel.

Furthermore, improvement in vehicle access facilities has been part of the meticulous planning from the start. First, there is the construction of Long Queuing lanes at the entrance ramp of the parking facility facing Shangri-La Hotel. Second, the adjacent North Drive facing The Landmark shall be further expanded to five lanes, with three entering and two exiting the Ayala Center.

On the other hand the new G5 building will be located at the area surrounded by Ayala Avenue, Hotel Intercontinental, Glorietta 4 (G4) and Rustan’s. G5 will also bring many current Park Square 2 tenants closer to customer access.

Beyond the transfer, however, G5 will have three levels of retail space covering 9,700 sqm and five levels of office space totaling 16,000 sqm.

Parking space lost at the Park Square 2 will likewise be adequately augmented as G5 will have 291 parking slots in its two underground levels. Furthermore, this will be connected by a tunnel to the existing multilevel parking of G4, making access smooth and easy to all basement parking facilities in the Glorietta area.

Timetable for completion of the G5 facility is October 2008.

Major modifications to any well established landscape will involve major changes in established operational patterns and behavior—having to “bite the sour apple” to get things done.

For the commuting public, enclosed and secure FX and Jeepney Terminals are being prepared at the EDSA Carpark and Park Square 1 respectively, providing easier access to the MRT —Ayala station. Buses, on the other hand, shall be going through a looped route on regular intervals throughout the Central Business District instead of remaining static in a fixed terminal. The existing taxi bays located in various sites throughout the Center are likewise being closely watched and improved.

Attractive directional signs are being installed in strategic points throughout the Ayala Center to keep the public informed of the new jeepney, FX, taxi and bus access points.


-------

So is that curved building in the rendering supposed to be where Fairmont Hotel will be or is this another area? Even if it isn't, I love this design! Ayala's on a different level when it comes to developments.

that looks nice

I believe this beautiful development needs it own thread in Projects and Construction thread so we can have people post updates here.

-------

So is that curved building in the rendering supposed to be where Fairmont Hotel will be or is this another area? Even if it isn't, I love this design! Ayala's on a different level when it comes to developments.


No... that looks to me a newer Glorietta 1 building... you'll see on the top right part of the picture the twins of Oakwood....

wow... at first I thought they'll demolish the whole 3 malls and replace it with a big garden... but that seems better... skygardens.. :D

this one is really nice. i wonder if the glass above the mall is a great idea since people can stand on it.

omg. unbelievable! i so love ayala!

I now feel bad for the Aranetas... Ayala Center seems to be redeveloping their center very quickly compared to the 20yr redevelopment plan of Araneta Center which started about 5years already if I'm not mistaken...

yesterday I was in Ayala Center and I thought of taking pics while walking using my phone..

New Anson's building (w/parking)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/pau_p1/Makati/09272007144.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/pau_p1/Makati/09272007137.jpg

Greenbelt 5
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/pau_p1/Makati/09272007142.jpg

expansion on the Greenbelt 1 side..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/pau_p1/Makati/09272007139.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/pau_p1/Makati/09272007140.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v162/pau_p1/Makati/09272007141.jpg

Thanks for the update! I like Greenbelt 5's design, very different from Greenbelt 3. Is there a render available?

Ayala outdoes themselves with this one!!! A rare "Postcard" mall for sure!

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/9625/acredmk3.jpg

looks nice, ang ganda....

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Real%20Estate&p=49&type=2&sec=37&aid=2007092772

Ayala Center prepares...
Philippine Star
September 28, 2007

Ayala Center is abuzz with building new shopping, dining and entertainment facilities as it prepares to break ground for its new hotel project by year’s end.

This was revealed by Jaime Ayala, president and chief executive of Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) who said that the new facilities assure both customers and mall tenants that there will be no reduction in available retail space and facilities as current buildings are removed to make way for the new hotels to be built in partnership with the Kingdom Hotel Investments.

“We will make sure that concerns of all Ayala Center patrons, from the mall customers to the existing tenants and retailers, are addressed as we implement our new programs for Ayala Center in the coming year,” Ayala said.

Well underway is the construction of the Glorietta 5 (G5) and a new but still unnamed parking building, both designed to accommodate the movement of shops, entertainment and parking facilities as the 7,377-square meter (sqm) property at the corner of Makati Avenue and Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road), where the Park Square 2 mall and transport terminals currently stand is prepared to make way for the construction of the 300-room Fairmont Hotel, a 30-suite Raffles Hotel and 189 Raffles-branded residential units.

The hotel project is a US$153-million joint venture between the Ayala group and Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, founder and chairman of Dubai-based Kingdom Hotel Investments and listed as the world’s 13th-richest person and the “most successful businessman in the Middle East.”

New buildings, more facilities

Slated to open in time for the start of the hotel projects on December 2007, the new car park complex has begun to rise in the Ayala Center area bound by Makati Avenue, The Landmark, Glorietta 4 and The Shangrila Hotel.

The car park will house 790 parking slots in six levels in order to replace those that will be affected with the decommissioning of Park Square 2. It will likewise have two bridgeway connections: one across Makati Avenue to Greenbelt 4 and the other across North Drive to The Landmark Department Store.

Aside from parking, the new building will have almost 3,000 sqm on its ground level for new and exciting retail and entertainment space. Furthermore, improvement in vehicle access facilities has been part of the meticulous planning from the start. First, there is the construction of Long Queuing lanes at the entrance ramp of the parking facility facing Shangrila Hotel.

Second, the adjacent North Drive facing The Landmark shall be further expanded to five lanes, with three entering and two exiting the Ayala Center.

On the other hand the new G5 building will be located at the area surrounded by Ayala Avenue, Hotel Intercontinental, Glorietta 4 (G4) and Rustan’s. G5 will also bring many current Park Square 2 tenants closer to customer access. These include the mobile telephone and accessories shops as well as service-oriented establishments currently in Park Square 2.

Beyond the transfer, however, G5 will have three levels of retail space covering 9,700 sqm and five levels of office space totaling 16,000 sqm.

Parking space lost at the Park Square 2 will likewise be adequately augmented as G5 will have 291 parking slots in its two underground levels. Furthermore, this will be connected by a tunnel to the existing multilevel parking of G4, making access smooth and easy to all basement parking facilities in the Glorietta area.

Timetable for completion of the G5 facility is October 2008.

Avoiding disruptions

Major modifications to any well established landscape will involve major changes in established operational patterns and behavior – having to “bite the sour apple” to get things done.

In Ayala Center’s case it is taking steps to ensure that the apple is palatable as possible for all customers and tenants. A Help Desk has been set up for immediate feedback, information and action assistance. The Help Desk can be contacted via telephone number 706-0618 everyday between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.

Another key area where Ayala Center management has taken proactive steps is keeping construction noise and debris levels at a minimum for the new car park building due to its proximity to Shangrila Hotel. Careful scheduling of specific phases of construction work and employment of modern construction technologies ensure that hotel guests and functions are not bothered by the new multilevel car park building construction. Constant communication and coordination between Shangrila Hotel and Ayala Center planning and operations personnel are also in place to ensure the safety and well-being of hotel patrons and residents. Meanwhile, the same level of engagement is being undertaken by Ayala Center with the Intercon , which is located adjacent to G5.

For the commuting public, enclosed and secure FX and Jeepney Terminals are being prepared at the EDSA Carpark and Park Square 1 respectively, providing easier access to the MRT – Ayala station.

Buses, on the other hand, shall be going through a looped route on regular intervals throughout the Central Business District instead of remaining static in a fixed terminal. The existing taxi bays located in various sites throughout the Center are likewise being closely watched and improved.

Attractive directional signs are being installed in strategic points throughout the Ayala Center to keep the public informed of the new jeepney, FX, taxi and bus access points.

i think with the explosion in Glorietta 2... the Ayalas might fast-track their plan to demolish Glorietta 2.... probably.. they'll redevelop the mall sooner than Glorietta 1...

Perhaps, or it might even push everything back. It's very unfortunate that this bombing took place, especially when things were looking up.

Let's see first , the latest news is that the authorities are back to investigating if it truly is an accident as they found no bomb material so far. If it (an accident)not a very good mark on Ayala management.

yeah... the latest news says.. that it might be an accidental methane explosion from the water disposal... plus I've heard that the source of the explosion is where some diesel are stored for the generators...

I hope it's just an accident and not a terror attack... anyways... this bombing has claimed 3 of our ex-employees out of the 11 casualties..

yeah i sure hope its just an unfortunate accident. that would be great for our economy but bad news for the ayalas. well, ayala would survive it!

i love greenbelt five looks like a giant cake.

yeah i sure hope its just an unfortunate accident. that would be great for our economy but bad news for the ayalas. well, ayala would survive it!

I feel exactly the same way.

I'm sorry if this sounds rude or smug, but can someone explain to me why and how a terrorist attack or accidental explosion be good to our economy?

--SuperB0y-- didn't mean that the explosion was good for anything. He meant that if it were not a terrorist attack, then the economy shouldn't be directly affected versus if it were a terror attack.

very well said, MetropolitanBoy.

http://www.bworld.com.ph/BW102507/content.php?id=101

Blast, fire won’t affect redevelopment plan, says Ayala Land
BusinessWorld
October 25, 2007

DESPITE THE recent explosion and the fire that hit portions of Glorietta, the Ayala-owned shopping mall, property developer Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) is keeping its original timetable for the redevelopment of the retail complex.

The property developer is in the thick of implementing a redevelopment plan which includes the construction of a hotel through a joint venture with Dubai-based hospitality group Kingdom Hotel Investments, which is owned by Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud. Also part of the redevelopment plan is the construction of Glorietta 5, another shopping complex outside the original Glorietta quadrangle; the transfer of Anson’s department store and Park Square 2; and the removal of the public transport terminal to give way for the construction of a new hotel complex.

"This will not stop Ayala Land. I don’t believe [the redevelopment plan] will be derailed," Ayala Land Spokesman Alfonso Reyes told BusinessWorld.
He said that the company suffered losses amounting to P100 million from the Friday blast, but declined to give estimates on foregone revenues.

ALI Head for Strategic Landbank Miriam O. Katigbak said earlier the listed property firm has tapped US-based architectural design firm Callison to help in the conceptualization of the master plan of Ayala Center.

The redevelopment of the Ayala Center will take eight to 10 years and will begin next year. Preliminary work is being done this year.

Property analysts polled by BusinessWorld said that while the incidents in Glorietta were a "cause for concern," a pullout of investments was unlikely.

"We don’t think investment already made on redevelopment will be pulled out. It is business as usual," Phillip G. Anonuevo, Colliers International Philippines, Inc. director for corporate real estate advisory, said.

He also said that Makati was still an attractive place for investments, but added that "those investing near Glorietta mall might think twice as it might become a hotspot for people wanting to cause disturbance."

For his part, Leechiu & Associates Senior Manager for Consultancy Services Claro Cordero, Jr. said the Makati blast would not significantly impact on Ayala Land.

"The earlier ALI determine the cause and explain it to the public, the better for the company to regain confidence of consumers. It will set another standard; maybe the security will be tighter," Mr. Cordero said.

Meanwhile, CB Richard Ellis Director Ryan Isip said the incident has made tenants looking for office and retail space think twice about locating in Makati.

"There are a lot of people moving out of Makati especially with the emergence of new business districts," he added.

Shopping centers contributed P2.1 billion or 17% of Ayala Land’s revenues. The company’s shopping center business saw a 10.53% increase in revenues to P2.1 billion from P1.9 billion due to three percentage point increase in average occupancy rate to 95% as well as 5% rise in average building rental rates.

Besides Glorietta, Ayala Land also operates the 195,000-square meter TriNoma in Quezon City, Market! Market! in Taguig, Greenbelt also in Makati, Alabang Town Center in Muntinlupa, and Ayala Center in Cebu. It also owns Bonifacio High Street and Serendra, both in Taguig.

Another retail project that Ayala Land is building is the 70,000-square meter Q Shopping in Angeles, Pampanga.

The company is also into residential and office space development and operates a property management firm. — RAMR

tama si metropolitanboy...i was hoping din na sana hindi yun terrorist attack...just the thought na it was another bombing incident gives me tummy aches (literally). kung accident nga lang, the investors here sa pinas wouldn't be scared off.
---

kung bomba nga yun, i think taga SSC yun na naiinip na sa redevelopment ng glorietta, sinimulan na nyang i-demolish! :lol:

just a joke!!!! :peace: :D

Understood.

Sorry for the misunderstanding...

A Senior Property Specialist of Ayala sent me an e-mail regrding the Glorietta 2 incident.

October 24, 2007
Announcements

http://us.mg1.mail.yahoo.com/ya/download?mid=1%5f53694%5fALmzo0IAAL91Rx7qWwCx%2bkXwW98&pid=3&fid=ALSI%252dEXCH&inline=1
ALI Official Statement RE. GLORIETTA 2 INCIDENT: Oct. 24, 2007
by Paulo Campos
To All ALI Colleagues:

Below is Ayala Land ’s official statement as read by JIA at our noon press conference held at the Intercon today.

We at the Glorietta Explosion Response Team would like to send our gratitude and appreciation to all ALI, CII, Avida, APMC and MDC colleagues for forwarding texts and emails regarding the incident to the team. We would encourage you to continue texting any other information you may hear or receive – including updates on radio interviews and TV segments – to me at 0917-805-3711. All the information that you have provided us has been a great help to the team.

Thank you!

Best regards,
Paulo

ALI Official Statement RE. GLORIETTA 2 INCIDENT: Oct. 24, 2007

Until recently, most of our efforts have been focused in assisting the victims and securing the safety of our premises and patrons.

Separately, our technical team recently began compiling relevant information and gave us an initial report last night.

Inasmuch as the PNP has yet to give a final report on the Glorietta 2 incident and is still in the process of sifting through data, we would like to inform you that we have given the PNP additional technical information that we deem would be helpful to them in their investigation, particularly with respect to the basement area which has been their recent focus.

This information is as follows:
1.Basement dimensions: 178 sqm floor area; approx. ceiling height: 2.28m
2.Diesel fuel tank: Last used in June during last power outage; capacity: approx. 14,000 liters; estimated content on day of incident: 6,000 liters; the flash point of diesel contained is 72 degrees Celsius and auto ignition temperature is 220 degrees Celsius. There are no maintenance reports or observations by maintenance personnel of any aberrations to the diesel tank.
3.Fuel transfer pump: transfers diesel fuel from storage tank at basement 2 to day tank at the roof deck.
4.Ventilation: basement is ventilated by air entering the approx. 2.4m x 2.4m opening at stairwell connected to delivery bay area
5.Ambient room temperature: estimated range from 28 to 30 degrees Celsius
6.Grease trap: separates grease from wastewater entering the sump pit; maintained daily for one hour together with cleaning of basement.
7.Sump pits (there are two types of sump pit):
a. Kitchen sump pit (approx .1.5m x 1.5m x 2m): Wastewater from kitchens of five restaurants in Glorietta 2 enters the sump pit. The grease trap separates the grease from the wastewater (grease is extracted daily, every morning). A pump in kitchen sump pit pumps out wastewater to the main city sewer line automatically (there is a standby sump pump).
b. Waste sump pit (approx. 1.5m x 1.5m x 2m): Wastewater from toilets in a portion of Glorietta 2 is dumped into sump pit (21 water closets; 20 lavatories; 8 urinals). Due to the nature of customer use of toilets in restaurants, waste is seldom solid and mostly liquid (per our sewage expert opinion approx. 98% liquid). Wastewater enters sump pit and is pumped out to street sewer by a sump pump (there is a standby sump pump). Therefore, there is constant flow of mainly liquid wastewater from the toilets into the sump pit and on to the city sewer. Wastewater entering the sump pit stays in the sump pit for less than 24 hours. The usual decomposition process brought about by large amounts of solid matter in house septic tanks does not occur in this commercial sump pit.
We will give you copies of this information sheet after the press con.

To further support the PNP, we have offered to make our foreign and local technical experts available to the PNP should they deem it helpful to them.

This is a very sad and tragic event for our country, and we are all interested in helping the authorities establish the facts and bring the matter to conclusion so that the country can move forward.

^ Thanks for posting. The official statement of Ayala Land can be found at their official website www.ayalaland.com.ph . It has been divided into two parts

From what I undesrtand, Greenbelt 5 was supposed to open yesterday, the 26th. Has this been affected by the Glorietta 2 incident or did this push through? It would be great to see some pics of that...

From what I undesrtand, Greenbelt 5 was supposed to open yesterday, the 26th. Has this been affected by the Glorietta 2 incident or did this push through? It would be great to see some pics of that...

Interesting. I was in Greenbelt 3 yesterday, I was actually wondering if part of Greenbelt 5 was open already as I saw a few people walking around, but there were also still workers doing stuff. It looked like they were fitting stores out. Can't wait to see inside.

BTW is it Greenbelt 5 all the way along that side ? It will be huge.

From what I undesrtand, Greenbelt 5 was supposed to open yesterday, the 26th. Has this been affected by the Glorietta 2 incident or did this push through? It would be great to see some pics of that...

Greenbelt 5's first phase is supposed to open within the fourth quarter of this year while the remaining part will open next year :)

Its open already but only a few stores so far. Its very nice inside :-)

Parked at the basement of Greenbelt 5...for free...for now. Hehehehehe!

Yup G5 is already open. I was there last Saturday. :)

The Ayala Center Terminal should have been closed starting today right?... just as their notices says that the terminals are moving by Nov5

Parked at the basement of Greenbelt 5...for free...for now. Hehehehehe!

Cool, I'll tell my mom that GB5 parking is free para dun na lang sila pag nagpunta sila ng Landmark Dept. Store. :D

Parang yung Serendra, ginamit namin na free-parking nung bago pa lang sya pag nagpupunta kami ng Market! Market! Hehehe, iba yung pinag-parkingan sa destination namin, eh kasi libre naman eh. :colgate:

Eh yung Park Square 2, kamusta naman?

Cool, I'll tell my mom that GB5 parking is free para dun na lang sila pag nagpunta sila ng Landmark Dept. Store. :D

Parang yung Serendra, ginamit namin na free-parking nung bago pa lang sya pag nagpupunta kami ng Market! Market! Hehehe, iba yung pinag-parkingan sa destination namin, eh kasi libre naman eh. :colgate:

Eh yung Park Square 2, kamusta naman?

The old Park Square 2 is now officially closed. I feel that Ayala will likewise tear down Glorietta 2 as well since I doubt that anyone would ever want to go shopping in a building that suffered such bad PR. Anyway, the new Park Square 2 (I don't know if it will carry a new name) only has Anson's open. The parking levels above it are still covered in green netting to prevent debris from falling to the street.

Ayala Center redev’t in
progress

• Soft opening of Greenbelt 5 (Ph 1) on
October 26; 94% complete as of end-
Sept 2007; Phase 1-86% leased
out/committed

• Soft opening of Anson’s on October
19 at the new carpark building with
806 slots (near Landmark); 4.6K sqm
GLA expected by end-Nov (incl.
Anson’s in the first two floors)

• Lot turnover to KHI will proceed on
November 30; construction of a
luxury hotel complex (300 Fairmont
hotel rooms, 30 Raffles suites, 189
Raffles residences) targeted to
commence in December; completion
in 3 years

Source: ALI Analysts' Briefing 11/13/07

Cool, I'll tell my mom that GB5 parking is free para dun na lang sila pag nagpunta sila ng Landmark Dept. Store. :D

Parang yung Serendra, ginamit namin na free-parking nung bago pa lang sya pag nagpupunta kami ng Market! Market! Hehehe, iba yung pinag-parkingan sa destination namin, eh kasi libre naman eh. :colgate:

Eh yung Park Square 2, kamusta naman?

i think they would be transferring Park Square 2 shops in Glorietta 5 (construction on going between Rustan's and Intercon and in front of Glorietta 4) :banana:

I just noticed last week that the old Ansons building is being torn down now...

I just noticed last week that the old Ansons building is being torn down now...

I also noticed this when I passed by yesterday.

Does anyone know whats happening with Glorietta 2?

^ Aren't they fixing/renovating G2 yet?

Hello, everyone.

Yesterday, I was walking around Glorietta and - just on a personal adventure, really - stopped by and witnessed the now ongoing demolitions of two buildings on the Pasay Road-Makati Avenue corner: the old Anson's Department Store and Park Square 2. I understand they're being demolished to make way for a whole new development (still connected to Glorietta, though)... but what really tickles my curiosity is this: would any of you confirm me if I am right to presume that the re-construction of the explosion-damaged Glorietta 2 (which is directly across Park Square 2) now becomes part of this project of redeveloping of that part of Ayala Center?

^ Aren't they fixing/renovating G2 yet?

I think so but was hoping someone could confirm it and give more details.

Hello, everyone.

Yesterday, I was walking around Glorietta and - just on a personal adventure, really - stopped by and witnessed the now ongoing demolitions of two buildings on the Pasay Road-Makati Avenue corner: the old Anson's Department Store and Park Square 2. I understand they're being demolished to make way for a whole new development (still connected to Glorietta, though)... but what really tickles my curiosity is this: would any of you confirm me if I am right to presume that the re-construction of the explosion-damaged Glorietta 2 (which is directly across Park Square 2) now becomes part of this project of redeveloping of that part of Ayala Center?

Those buildings will be demolished to make way for Fairmont Hotel and Raffles Suites.

^^ yes. they are already renovating g2.

i'm so excited.. raffles in makati.. so high-end!

This article should be here:


Fifth of a series —but not the least
By Chelo Banal-Formoso
Inquirer
http://supplements.inquirer.net/propertyguide/main.php?content=around142

MANILA, Philippines - Built around a park and a chapel, two emotionally appealing sites to Filipinos, AyalaLand’s 12-hectare Greenbelt complex is now a genuine loop with the near-completion of Greenbelt 5.

The AyalaLand folks call Greenbelt 5 the “culminating piece” to what they had planned long ago to be the premier lifestyle center not just in Makati, which has always been an Ayala turf, but in the country.

They are not kidding, and none of it is hype. In Greenbelt, ALC has presented Filipinos an alternative shopping-and-dining experience, one that defied the big box concept of malls.

After Greenbelt 1, ALC hired Callison Architecture Inc. of Seattle, Washington to plan a sprawling, extroverted urban complex. The resulting retail developments have been named, without much ado, Greenbelts 2 to 5.

While Greenbelts 2 and 4 are totally covered, Greenbelts 3 and 5 are not. As for retail use, Ayala did away with anchor stores in Greenbelt. Where Greenbelt 2 is focused exclusively on food, with housing on top, Greenbelt 3 has included shopping and entertainment—cinemas, arcade games, etc.—in the mix. And where Greenbelt 4 is totally all luxury shops for yuppie fashionistas and their glamorous seniors, Greenbelt 5 is a happy mix of upscale fashion, food and fun. “Not just for the 30 and above but for all ages,” notes Ayala Malls operations manager AC Legarda-Ocampo.

“Every phase of Greenbelt has been a learning experience,” says Ayala Malls marketing division manager Cathy Bengzon. “What we’ve learned through the years is that the Filipino market looks forward to innovation. Filipinos like to be surprised.”

Grand entrance

The last of the series, Greenbelt 5, is a gleaming, distinctive surprise. The structure and its landscaping fill you with a sense of pride and awe. The walkway that links its two wings is stunning, having been designed purposely to provide “a grand sense of arrival” to shoppers and diners.

While it was a foreign architectural firm that designed this shopping and leisure destination, a local firm was called in to, as Andy Locsin of Leandro Locsin Architects puts it, “give character to the project.”

And that is exactly what the Locsin firm did to Greenbelt 5, through Annalea O. Castillo, partner in charge of the project, and E, Matthew Varona, the associate who designed the interiors.

The gloss and sheen within the mall has been inspired by the Filipino Zone, the courageous grouping of shops on the second floor carrying clothes and fashion accessories created by Filipino designers and those on the third floor that are dedicated to furniture and home accessories from Filipino designers and craftsmen. For the first time, local designers are not just lumped together in a dark corner of a department store.

“How do you approach the Filipino theme without doing it on an incredibly literal level? That was our concern,” says Locsin. “We didn’t want it to become campy.”

Luckily, the firm’s leanings have always been toward the abstract. Varona came up with modern interpretations of Filipino elements. Even the furniture that they brought in for the lounge areas are by Kenneth Cobonpue and Anne Pamintuan, two stalwarts of the trend-setting Movement 8 group of Filipino artists.

“Ayala wanted a Filipino Zone, so we put Philippine touches in the panels, the furnishings and the exterior screen that is inspired by the Tinalak,” says Castillo. Mixed with the Filipino flavors are modern elements like hanging accent lights and walls covered with the amazing photography of Don Jaime Zobel. The flooring is a graphic pattern of imperial brown granite and natural stone.

“The nice things about this mall are really the details, the nooks and crannies,” notes Locsin.

Plus the landscaping, one must add. Ponce Veridiano, the landscaper, scattered 20 pieces of carabao jars and planted the exterior grounds and the terraced gardens to pitogo, oliva, emperialis, pakpak lawin, zamio, sellum, philodendron, torch ginger, levistonia palm, royal palm, Eugenia, giant red crinum, aglonema, kamuning, red and pink ginger, miagos, tree fern, giant fern, spathyphylum and varied kinds of bamboo, the plant du jour for outdoor decorating.

Mixed use

Indoors, the configuration of Greenbelt 5 is 80 percent retail and 20 percent dining, according to Ocampo, to balance the offering of Greenbelts 2 and 3 which is mostly food. (Greenbelt 4 is all-shops because if you’re buying a $2000 Gucci bag, the last thing you want is to smell curry or, worse, smell of it on your way in or out.)

The centerpiece of Greenbelt 5 is the Filipino Zone, two floors showcasing Filipino creativity in fashion and home. “At par with the world’s best,” says Bengzon, referring to their juxtaposition of Filipino designs with international luxe shops.

On the second floor of the zone are the fashion shops. Ayala went one step further than just leasing the space to the most exciting Filipino designers today; it also had a hand in linking up these artists with seasoned retailers as business partners. For instance, Patrice Ramos-Diaz is in tandem with Ben Chan of the highly successful Bench group of companies. Randy Ortiz is teamed up with Ruby Gan who has proved her mettle in her shoe retail business called Schu. That kind of partnering.

In the Filipino Zone, only Barba and Lila Almario are open, but busy putting the finishing touches to their shops are Aranaz, Arnel Papa, Rocks by Ana Rocha, Avatar, Gaupo, Jun Escario, Kate Torralba, Patrice Diaz, Religioso, Victoria Marin, Myth, Budji Layug, JT, L Manila and AC+632, which is owned by the Firma duo of Chito Vijandre and Ricky Toledo, the latter promising “We’ll have a gardening section.”

Now open on the ground floor of Greenbelt 5 are the flagship of Danish audio brand Bang & Olufsen, Kiehl’s, Michael Kors, Celestina, Mix and dotdotdot. Also on the second level are David & Goliath and All Flip Flops. Shoppers are already being welcomed at Borders Home Accessories, Hives by Restoration and Prizxmic & Brill on the third floor.

Most of the stores are raring to open and most probably will make it in time for holiday shopping—Banana Republic, Marc by Marc Jacobs, Bally, Ben Sherman, DKNY, Escada, Escada Sport, Furla, Kenneth Cole, Paul Smith, Rafe, St. John and Zara.

On the third are the furniture and home accessories stores, headlined by Budji Layug and his Movement 8 friends, Aguas, Designs Ligna, Domicillo, Galeire Hans Brumann, Voyages Home and Osmundo.

A 2,000-sq m fashion walk connects Phase 1 of Greenbelt 5 to Phase 2, which is going to house a boutique department store called Adora, probably the closest thing to an anchor shop that Greenbelt will ever have. Also in Phase 2 are shops for the age groups that the earlier Greenbelts have all this time ignored. Now kids, teens and tweeners can shop at Greenbelt 5. Plans for the third floor of Phase 2 include a family zone, a children’s zone, and specialty shops for fathers and the home. The fourth floor will have a gym and a spa.

It is always a big challenge for developers to create a mix of restaurants that offer what other places don’t. Among Greenbelt 5’s original dining places are Pia Y Damaso (Spanish and Filipino) and John & Yoko (Japanese), both now open on Level 2; Grace Park by Margarita Fores; and Fish Out of Water.

Fronting the street on the ground floor are restaurants Chateau 1771, which moved here from its Ortigas location, Felix, Myron’s Place and Zuni. Fast heating up their kitchens are Cibo, Classic Confections, Fely “J” Restaurant and Travel Café, La Maison and Solihiya.

Greenbelt 5 connects to Greenbelt 1 and Greenbelt 4, not to mention the Ayala Museum. Walkways link it to Greenbelts 2 and 3.

For now, Greenbelt 5 is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday to Sunday, but expect the hours to be competitive with other malls as soon as all shops, restaurants and services have opened.

ALI transfers prime property to joint-venture firm

THE COUNTRY’S largest property developer Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) will transfer the legal title of its 7,377-square-meter property at Ayala Center in Makati City to KHI-ALI Manila, Inc., the joint-venture company it formed with Dubai-based hospitality group Kingdom Hotel Investments, Inc. (KHI).

ALI said the property, located at Arnaiz and Makati Avenues, is valued at P1.76 billion.

The property is currently being used by Ansons department store, Park Square 2, and the public transport terminal.

"The assignor (ALI) is the registered owner of a parcel of land located at the Ayala Center, Makati City which it intends to convey and assign to the assignee (KHI-ALI Manila) for the purpose of enabling the assignee to develop thereon a mixed-use residential and hotel condominium project," read the deed of conveyance entered into by ALI and KHI-ALI Manila.

Yesterday, ALI shares closed unchanged at P16.

The assignment of the parcel of land will be in exchange for the issuance of stocks out of KHI-ALI Manila’s authorized capital stock.

The Securities and Exchange Commission gave its nod to KHI-ALI Manila to boost its authorized capital stock to P382.49 million from P1 million.

ALI subscribed to 25% of the P381.45-million net increase.

The company amended its articles of incorporation to accommodate the capital increase at a special meeting held last Oct. 29.

Last March, ALI disclosed plans to develop with KHI the 7,377-square-meter property into a luxury hotel complex. Development costs are estimated to hit $153 million.

The development will include the construction of a 300-room Fairmont Hotel, a 30-suite Raffles Hotel, and 189 Raffles private residences.

Founded and headed by Saudi Arabian Prince Alwaleed bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Alsaud, KHI has an underlying portfolio consisting of 33 hotels. Of these, 19 are operational and 14 under development.

http://www.bworldonline.com/BW121207/content.php?id=042

Ayala Center to reroute traffic from Jan 21 to April

http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/inquirerheadlines/metro/view_article.php?article_id=112393
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 02:14am (Mla time) 01/15/2008

MANILA, Philippines – The Ayala Center has announced the temporary rerouting of traffic in front of the Hotel Intercontinental in Makati City due to the construction of a new access ramp for its Glorietta 5 project.

Starting Jan. 21, half of Hotel Drive in front of the Intercon will be fenced off to make way for the new ramp construction. The road will be closed until the end of April.

Ayala Center vehicular traffic will be rerouted with entry from Ayala Avenue diverted to Highway Drive behind Hotel Intercon. Vehicles coming from Edsa that usually turn left to Ayala Center will now be made to make a U-turn towards Highway Drive.
The two lanes exiting from Hotel Drive to Ayala Avenue will be reduced to one lane.

Ayala Center management has made the necessary arrangements for the installation of traffic signs as well as the deployment of additional traffic aides for the rerouting scheme.

Ayala Center patrons are likewise advised to enter the area through Arnaiz Avenue (formerly Pasay Road) and Makati Avenue access points.

For more information, please call the Ayala Center Hotline at tel. no. 706-0618 everyday between 8 a.m. and 11 p.m.

we should be expecting heavy traffic in ayala ave edsa bound.. tsk tsk..

The demolition of park square is already started. I saw the new park square beside Shangrila Makati this morning. Did it use a glass facade for the parking area?

yeah... mukhang glass facade sya... it looked nice!

pictures please!

I'll check this out later. :)

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/1295/01182008054go9.jpg
1/18/08

Dine demolish na yung Park Square.

would this be the site of the raffles hotel or just glorietta 5? How about the construction infront of rustants? i thought thats going to be the g5? anyway is there a thread here for greenbelt 5?? its already finished and its beyond expectations

^^ punta ka mega metro malls thread. may pics dun ng GB5 :)

@jety, on this site will rise the future Fairmont/Raffles hotel complex.

http://img251.imageshack.us/img251/1295/01182008054go9.jpg
1/18/08

Dine demolish na yung Park Square.

oh now i get it.. am really excited about this proj.. however the building does not look to impressive for me.. Discovery primea looks a lot better..

guys.. can i ask where do you think i can get a project redevelopment plan of Greenbelt 5? and even the price range? well, i really dont have time to go to Greenbelt 5 as of now, because im out of town dis week, and a family friend of ours want to have move her shop in greenbelt 5. kindly help me with this. thanks thanks! :booze:

based on the progress of construction, i think Glorietta has bounce back from the G2 explosion... ano kaya magiging tenant mix ng Glorietta 5? and we are really looking forward to the opening of the Fairmont-Raffles Hotel Complex as it is near our condo unit (The Residences). btw, i've been talking to my uncle last saturday.. being the former building administrator of Glorietta prior to transfering to Greenbelt and Greenhills, he was allowed to inspect Glorietta 2 along with other colleagues... guess what was his conclusion... it was a BOMB that ripped through Glorietta 2, planted on top of the diesel tank so no crater will be produced, and was probably planted by the military to divert attention from the impeachment attempt last october..

I think Glorietta 5 will be housing the current Glorietta 1 tenants if I'm not mistaken from previous readigns.... Since Glorietta 1 will be demolished soon after to give way to a new Glorietta 1...

guys.. can i ask where do you think i can get a project redevelopment plan of Greenbelt 5? and even the price range? well, i really dont have time to go to Greenbelt 5 as of now, because im out of town dis week, and a family friend of ours want to have move her shop in greenbelt 5. kindly help me with this. thanks thanks! :booze:

Try to visit this link: http://www.ayalamalls.com.ph/content/ayala_merchant.asp

they will demolish glorieta 1 and 2 after they finish glorieta 5 and the hotel intercon by 2012 ata=)

Wow, tagal pa...sana they demolish Glorietta 2 na now. So that it gets the facelift or new structure together with Raffles and Fairmont.

^^ Ang alam ko G5 is for the tenants of G1 and PS2 only, not sure if it can accomodate G2 tenants as well, together with the G1 and PS2 tenants.

^^ Ang alam ko G5 is for the tenants of G1 and PS2 only, not sure if it can accomodate G2 tenants as well, together with the G1 and PS2 tenants.

uhh.. i dont know.. as i heard.. taga PS2 ung family friend namin.. :booze:

Try to visit this link: http://www.ayalamalls.com.ph/content/ayala_merchant.asp

thanks thanks.. i'll forward it! :) :booze:

.....btw, i've been talking to my uncle last saturday.. being the former building administrator of Glorietta prior to transfering to Greenbelt and Greenhills, he was allowed to inspect Glorietta 2 along with other colleagues... guess what was his conclusion... it was a BOMB that ripped through Glorietta 2, planted on top of the diesel tank so no crater will be produced, and was probably planted by the military to divert attention from the impeachment attempt last october..

I think this is the typical conclusion by the Ayala people.

^^ Yeah, typically delusional

^^ the statement made by my uncle is not delusional. he is an engineer and he made an independent inspection.. hindi siya pinakiusapan ng ALI para sabihin sa akin na bomba talaga ang nangyari... based sa kanyang nakita eh bomba daw talaga at amoy sunog yung buong G2... kaya pataas ang explosion kasi daw sa diesel tank mismo tinanim.. at kaya rin walang crater... it's actually a small explosive na lumaki dahil sa diesel tank tinamin

^^ wow, i didn't know he was engineer, if so then i knew those forensic experts from US, Israel, and Australia were liars! Them and their gas-explosion conspiracy.

i certainly feel that the conclusion of the uncle is CORRECT....and im sure many filipinos believe that angle.....The Arroyo Government is to blame for this explosion!!!!no ifs no buts!!!!............for the longest time i supported the PANDAK but with all the mess that shes invloved??!!i just feel sorry for the country that she is our leader!!!!....GAGO TALAGA ANG CURRENT ADMINISTRATION NA ITO!!!!PATAYIN NA DAPAT SILANG LAHAT!!!!

^^ wow, i didn't know he was engineer, if so then i knew those forensic experts from US, Israel, and Australia were liars! Them and their gas-explosion conspiracy.

:lol: couldn't agree with you more! hahaha.

How can you argue from bomb and forensic experts from Israel? They experience bombing very, very often. It would be very hard to twist their findings and subvert the truth. This should not be up to speculation but if any is interested to find out, there are a presentation of facts done by these experts and the police in the papers.

An engineer is very different from a bomb and forensic expert IMO.

because the FBI and the australian police were probably paid by the PNP, DILG, DOJ and other agencies in the MAITF so that they would conclude that the explosion was caused by a methane gas, and steering the truth away from the Filipino public. i remember one Malaysian bomb expert who independently inspected Glorietta 2, and she found traces of RDX and TNT in the blast site. it was in the news a few weeks ago

if it was a bomb planted on the diesel tank, etc. super planado naman 'ata 'non to be able to exact the right amount of confusion to everyone - the puiblic, investigators, owners etc. akala ko pa naman hindi magaling ang gobyerno natin sa planning..:lol:

Is the Filipino brand of corruption so poisonous that it has infected American, Israeli, and Australian federal investigation agencies? Is the PNP actually brazen enough to bribe western forensic teams and are western forensic teams stupid enough to accept such bribes?

The scenarios infinite, the possibilities unlimited, THE SKY IS THE LIMIT.


because the FBI and the australian police were probably paid by the PNP, DILG, DOJ and other agencies in the MAITF so that they would conclude that the explosion was caused by a methane gas, and steering the truth away from the Filipino public. i remember one Malaysian bomb expert who independently inspected Glorietta 2, and she found traces of RDX and TNT in the blast site. it was in the news a few weeks ago

i certainly feel that the conclusion of the uncle is CORRECT....and im sure many filipinos believe that angle.....The Arroyo Government is to blame for this explosion!!!!no ifs no buts!!!!............for the longest time i supported the PANDAK but with all the mess that shes invloved??!!i just feel sorry for the country that she is our leader!!!!....GAGO TALAGA ANG CURRENT ADMINISTRATION NA ITO!!!!PATAYIN NA DAPAT SILANG LAHAT!!!!

What a great argument you have just made. Im sure this will really convince everyone on the truth.

Your Source: "The UNCLE"

the truth is that the explosion came at a time when the ZTE broandband deal scandal and the bribery scandal is at its peak!!!all sectors are crying out for justice and truth including the catholic church.surely it would have been a better time for another attempt to oust the PANDAK!!!!...so i bet she better do something about it before these things get out of hand....and obviously, the best diversionary tactic would be somewhat like bombing/terrorism w/c is a normal thing for any leaders of any country!!!...so that is exactly what she and her cohorts did!!!!....and man!....how they prevailed!!!!

...ofcourse any agency wether government or private or international can be bribed by powerful groups just so they can protect all their interests!!!!.....can the PANDAK to the same things?????...ofcourse because she has the power and the interests to protect!!!!

.....do you guys believe the inocence of the PANDAK???

i disagree. alam mo yung mga diversionary tactic na sinasabi mo bulok na 'yan eh! panahon pa ni marcos 'yan. the problem is whatever the result is hindi naman pinaniniwalaan eh kaya hindi umaasenso ang bansa natin.

how can you say that this kind of diversionary tactic is so bulok and luma na???!!!!...as you can see in local and foreign news that it is still very much around!!!...the thing is regardless of what aspect of diversion anyone is doing...is that it kills people!!!!and of course probably the best way to do it is thru bombing!!!...agree? is there any other best way apart from that aspect of diversionary tactic???....

i think your accusations are outright stupid. you are assuming anyone can be bribed. so are you saying hindi nagpa-bribed yung malaysian investigator? did the diversion tactic work? i don't think a bomb should divert attention from the scandals if it's worth pursuing it.

OK, whatever helps you sleep at night


the truth is that the explosion came at a time when the ZTE broandband deal scandal and the bribery scandal is at its peak!!!all sectors are crying out for justice and truth including the catholic church.surely it would have been a better time for another attempt to oust the PANDAK!!!!...so i bet she better do something about it before these things get out of hand....and obviously, the best diversionary tactic would be somewhat like bombing/terrorism w/c is a normal thing for any leaders of any country!!!...so that is exactly what she and her cohorts did!!!!....and man!....how they prevailed!!!!

...ofcourse any agency wether government or private or international can be bribed by powerful groups just so they can protect all their interests!!!!.....can the PANDAK to the same things?????...ofcourse because she has the power and the interests to protect!!!!

.....do you guys believe the inocence of the PANDAK???

i disagree. alam mo yung mga diversionary tactic na sinasabi mo bulok na 'yan eh! panahon pa ni marcos 'yan. the problem is whatever the result is hindi naman pinaniniwalaan eh kaya hindi umaasenso ang bansa natin.

Correct!! :cheers:

because the FBI and the australian police were probably paid by the PNP, DILG, DOJ and other agencies in the MAITF so that they would conclude that the explosion was caused by a methane gas, and steering the truth away from the Filipino public. i remember one Malaysian bomb expert who independently inspected Glorietta 2, and she found traces of RDX and TNT in the blast site. it was in the news a few weeks ago

Sounds paranoia to me. :ohno:

i certainly feel that the conclusion of the uncle is CORRECT....and im sure many filipinos believe that angle.....The Arroyo Government is to blame for this explosion!!!!no ifs no buts!!!!............for the longest time i supported the PANDAK but with all the mess that shes invloved??!!i just feel sorry for the country that she is our leader!!!!....GAGO TALAGA ANG CURRENT ADMINISTRATION NA ITO!!!!PATAYIN NA DAPAT SILANG LAHAT!!!!

Maawa ka naman kay Ate Glo, parang Auntie mo na lang yan specially if your contention is based on conspiracy theory and extreme paranoia.

i think your accusations are outright stupid. you are assuming anyone can be bribed. so are you saying hindi nagpa-bribed yung malaysian investigator? did the diversion tactic work? i don't think a bomb should divert attention from the scandals if it's worth pursuing it.

Correct again!! :) :cheers:

Correct again!! :) :cheers:

^^guys, just want to remind you that this thread is first and foremost about ayala center redevelopment, specifically the positive aspect of it. you dont have to be too emotional about the political aspect of the bombing incident. :ohno: i guess there should be another thread or forum for that.... paging moderators, i think ban is in order :lol:....SOS!!!!!!!!!!!!! :bash:

here! here! ^^

anyway, would anyone know if there are separate threads for Ayala's other properties?

how can you say that this kind of diversionary tactic is so bulok and luma na???!!!!...as you can see in local and foreign news that it is still very much around!!!...the thing is regardless of what aspect of diversion anyone is doing...is that it kills people!!!!and of course probably the best way to do it is thru bombing!!!...agree? is there any other best way apart from that aspect of diversionary tactic???....

:lol: man, you're really funny! :nuts:

...don't let your emotions get the better of you.

yeah he's so upset because he was diverted:lol:

wow! what a drama! this is unbelievable!

dum-di-dum-di-dum! :lol:

sana mas concern nalang tayo sa mga taong nasaktan diba? :? :nuts:

anyway... what is the real plan here? is ayala going to re-develop everything or dun lang sa site ng "incident"?

peace to all mankind! :)

well thanks everyone for all your valued opinions/comments.....true!!!!i am really UPSET!!!!....and im sure the majority of filipinos feel the same things!!!!....im just upset because this governemnt should be the one protecting the people....but with all the scandals..it seems their just protecting their interests!!!!....they are supposed to be agents for change...and a better change at that!!!!!but politically speaking our government is corrupt!!!!!!does anyone agree????

anyway im looking forward to a better redevelopment plan for ayala center!!!

huwag na nga natin pag-usapan uli yung Glorietta 2 explosion. let's just wait for the truth to come, that is kung lalabas talaga... as for now, discuss na lang natin yung redevelopment ng Glorietta Complex, ok mga dudes? bukas pala nandun ako sa 6750, i will try to take pics of Glorietta 5

You are totally right anonymous filipino.

Did you get pictures? Please post it. Thanks. :)

nakalimutan ko kumuha ng pics... nalow batt kasi cp ko nun, pero i saw G5 rising slowly.. ang ganda pala ng bagong parking building, very exceptional ang design!!

^^ hahaha. nakaka relate ako sayo. everytime i plan to go out to take some pics, di natutuloy :hilarious kaya buti yung wala sa plano :D

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/1091/redhx3.jpg

source: FY2007 Analysts' Briefing - ALI

huwag na nga natin pag-usapan uli yung Glorietta 2 explosion. let's just wait for the truth to come, that is kung lalabas talaga... as for now, discuss na lang natin yung redevelopment ng Glorietta Complex, ok mga dudes? bukas pala nandun ako sa 6750, i will try to take pics of Glorietta 5

correct. better to focus on the positive. i'm sure the truth will eventually come out. but for now let's move on and get excited with all the new developments in greenbelt!:)

Ganda ng bagong building nga ayala that replaced parksquare. Yung sa tabi ng Shangrila Makati. glass ung facade nya na light blue ang color.

Glorietta 5
http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/9783/baliwagthepen145cc5.jpg

http://img377.imageshack.us/img377/9710/baliwagthepen146yn5.jpg

The new Anson's
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/8682/baliwagthepen147rz5.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4570/baliwagthepen148qa8.jpg

wow ganda naman

What's at anson's? is it a department store?

^ Electronics store. ~ Best Buy.

looks nice btw...better than i expected

The new Anson's
http://img329.imageshack.us/img329/8682/baliwagthepen147rz5.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4570/baliwagthepen148qa8.jpg

wow ganda naman

This building was put up to replace the old Anson's that was demolished for the Fairmont/Raffles development. It is really aesthetically pleasing to the eyes with parking floors brightly lit and parking space wide enough to fit a big car. :okay: There was a problem though when I parked there 2 weekends ago as the automatic gate (where you press a button to get your parking ticket and open the gate) had malfunctioned so a guard had to assist the drivers in getting into the building. Haha. :lol:

How much is a 37" or 42" Sony LCD Bravia now? Is Anson's the cheapest?



^ Electronics store. ~ Best Buy.

looks nice btw...better than i expected

listening in style @ shang-rila is the cheapest when buying lcd tvs

Ansons ^^ looks awesome!!! How many floors or is it high ceilings? any interior photos?

I believe Anson's is around 5-7 floors. Looks very nice! Love the color of the glass.

Any recent pics of Greenbelt 5?

Wow impressive! here in S. California we have Best Buy, Cirucit City, and
Fry's Electronics..but they're only 1 story.
Yes, the glass exterior looks awesome!...a glimpse of what the Fairmont Hotel exterior may look from previous renderings!!:yes:

2 floors lang ang Anson's.. 3rd to 7th floor eh parking

anon ang pangalan ng building na ito?and ilang floor?kailan ba nag-start and natapos ang contruction nito? soory sa mga tanong

it's basically a parking building.. The Links yata or The Link ang name.. tenant lang ang Anson's... January yata nag open..

it's basically a parking building.. The Links yata or The Link ang name.. tenant lang ang Anson's... January yata nag open..

Links/Link? Hmm... I didn't notice the name when I parked there. I just knew it was a replacement for both Park Square and Anson's (the Ayala's shot 2 birds with 1 stone with this single building).

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/4570/baliwagthepen148qa8.jpg


that sculpture that looks like a paper clip... is that by Luz? it looks very familiar

Yup, the building is called The Link. Anson's moved here from its old site in Pasay Road. Other tenants are Pancake House, Ineng's, Goldilocks, Red Ribbon (soon to open)... As well as Dentista Inc, Regine's and a few more from the demolished Park Square building.

There are about 5 floors of parking. Caution though, the ramp is quite narrow and steep. In fact, may butas na yung isang pader... Driving down from the 7th floor can cause a major dizzy episode! :nuts:

Yup, the building is called The Link. Anson's moved here from its old site in Pasay Road. Other tenants are Pancake House, Ineng's, Goldilocks, Red Ribbon (soon to open)... As well as Dentista Inc, Regine's and a few more from the demolished Park Square building.

There are about 5 floors of parking. Caution though, the ramp is quite narrow and steep. In fact, may butas na yung isang pader... Driving down from the 7th floor can cause a major dizzy episode! :nuts:

I also noticed many tire marks on the ramp curb but at least the parking space itself is wide enough to fit a big car.

Naku, gasgas mags galore pala dyan. Dati sa Park Square 2 lang kami nagpa-park. Di nga alam ni papa na may underground parking ang G4-Ascott at G3 eh :D , kaya dun lang sa PS2 lagi. Ngayon wala na ang PS2 kaya wala syang choice kung hindi Park Square 1 kasi maarte sya sa parking, ayaw ng nahihirapan.

There are about 5 floors of parking. Caution though, the ramp is quite narrow and steep. In fact, may butas na yung isang pader... Driving down from the 7th floor can cause a major dizzy episode! :nuts:


that's not so bad... 7th is about the same at shang plaza's 8th floor upper deck open parking... any hairpin curbs like the ones at shang plaza?

nakow nakakahilo nga dyan sa The Link parking aba.. kahit don ka lang sa level 4, pagdating sa baba eh hilo na.. lalo na kaya sa 7th level.. tsaka medyo makitid nga yung ramp kaya dami nang tire marks.. pero since this month nang tinanggal na nila yung 40.00 flat rate eh hindi na masyadong napupuno.. dati pag mga past 8am eh sa level 4 or 5 ka na mag park.. pero ngayon kahit 9am meron pa rin sa level 3.. sa weekend na lang sya napupuno kasi 50.00 flat rate..

@Aaron - try nyo parking sa Greenbelt5.. sa tingin ko yun ang pinakamadaling parking sa Ayala Center..

nakow nakakahilo nga dyan sa The Link parking aba.. kahit don ka lang sa level 4, pagdating sa baba eh hilo na.. lalo na kaya sa 7th level.. tsaka medyo makitid nga yung ramp kaya dami nang tire marks.. pero since this month nang tinanggal na nila yung 40.00 flat rate eh hindi na masyadong napupuno.. dati pag mga past 8am eh sa level 4 or 5 ka na mag park.. pero ngayon kahit 9am meron pa rin sa level 3.. sa weekend na lang sya napupuno kasi 50.00 flat rate..

@Aaron - try nyo parking sa Greenbelt5.. sa tingin ko yun ang pinakamadaling parking sa Ayala Center..

^^ Ewan ko lang, pero try kong sabihin. Naalala nyo nung sinundo nila ako nung mga naunang SSC-meets? They didn't park at all in any Ayala Center parking facility, they just placed Greg (wala pa si Drake back then) on hazard and parked him along Makati Ave. Ewan ko ba sa kanila.

http://www.philstar.com/index.php?Modern%20Living&p=49&type=2&sec=46

The Filipino soul finds a home in Greenbelt 5

CRAZY QUILT By Tanya T. Lara
Saturday, April 5, 2008 Filipino talent finally comes home and settles right in the middle of our favorite lifestyle complex. The new, stunningly beautiful mall whose design and concept has never before been seen in the country houses the Filipino soul, which finds expression in the creativity of our local fashion and furniture designers and chefs.

Greenbelt 5 started as a concept in 2003, born out of the Ayala Malls Group’s talks with their customers. It’s the answer to numerous requests by customers to add more retail outlets to the complex — but not just ordinary retail outlets. Greenbelt 5 pays tribute to local talent in a grand way and brings to the local market the best in fashion, furniture design and culinary arts, and at the same time popular and new brands from abroad.

Greenbelt 5 is an idea whose time has come. Finally, we have a place to appreciate what the world has long been privy to — and to actually buy what stores abroad have been for the past many years displaying proudly in their showrooms.

You could say that this world-class mall is a product of love and dedication, of pursuing and convincing our artists that the local market is ready for them.

The newly launched first phase of Greenbelt 5 focuses on local designers. The second phase,
which will open later this year, will complete the fashion offerings to the upscale market. The main feature of the new mall is the Filipino Zone with two floors devoted to it.

Myrna Fernandez, Ayala Malls Group assistant vice president, says, “We wanted to pay tribute to the Filipino talent. We’re giving them the venue to showcase their ingenuity and artistry, and it makes sense for us to locate them in Greenbelt 5 particularly because it’s right beside the Ayala Museum, which is a project of the chairman emeritus of Ayala, Mr. Jaime Zobel de Ayala.”

By the time it is completed, Greenbelt 5 will have four floors, 20 percent of which will be restaurants and 80 percent retail stores. The fourth floor will house a Fitness First Platinum gym with its exclusive “platinum” facilities such as a lap pool and Jacuzzis.

The ground floor will have local fashion brands that have gone global side by side with foreign names: Tina Maristela-Ocampo’s Celestina, Raffy Totengco’s Rafe New York, alongside Marc by Marc Jacobs, Michael Kors, Banana Republic, Kiehl’s, Furla, Laurel and Paul Smith, among many others. “We’ve put our local brands beside the best foreign brands because we feel they are at par.” There will also be the “staple brands” such as Zara, Mango and Liz Claiborne.

Rowena Tomeldan, vice president and deputy group head of Ayala Malls Group, explains that when Ayala Land launched Greenbelt 4 — the luxury mall that’s home to Louis Vuitton, Salavatore Ferragamo, Prada, Gucci and Tod’s — people were really happy with the brands and expressed their desire for more. “Every time we would talk with our customers, they would say, ’Add more shopping,“ but they were very selective and specific about the brands they wanted, so Greenbelt 5 addresses that need to complete the retail component. We found out that not all shoppers find their brands under one roof, that they have to transfer from one mall to the other, so we are actually creating a shopping area for the fashion forward with Greenbelt.”

And what a world it is! Greenbelt 2 and 3 with its numerous restaurants and coffee shops, and stores like Firma, Jo, Kate Spade and Celio. Just across the park is Greenbelt 4 with its luxury brands, and now, Greenbelt 5 with its spacious hallways and walking paths.

“We asked our customers, what else are you looking for that’s not in Manila? They said, ‘How come you don’t feature Filipino products that are sold in Europe or the US?’” says Rowena.

The Filipino Zone comprises two floors. For the first time, many of these fashion designers are opening their ateliers to a larger market in a convenient venue. Names such as Kate Torralba, Vic Barba, Lila Almario, Randy Ortiz, Jojie Lloren, Amina Aranaz, Ivarluski Aseron, Joey Samson, Jun Escario, Lulu Tan Gan, Dennis Lustico, Ana Rocha, Butch Carungay, Patrice Diaz, Arnel Papa, Michi Calica, Cesar Gaupo, Victoria Marin, Choc, Religioso, AC 632, Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre. And then there’s Adora, the lifestyle store that takes “attention to detail” to a whole new level, from the plush and textured wing chairs and ottomans scattered all around the three floors to the mirrors in the bathrooms and the chandeliers. It’s truly a beautiful store that’s fresh and elegant.

“We got expert opinion on who to get,” says Ayala Malls Group assistant vice president Myrna Fernandez. “We set the guidelines on the level of Filipino artists and designers that we wanted and we consulted the Fashion Designer Council of the Philippines; it made sense to approach them first because they’re an organized group.”

Also part of phase 2 is an area for the fashion forward, the active lifestyle, children and families, specialty shops for the home, and the gym on the fourth floor.

Budji Layug, inarguably one of the best furniture designers in the Philippines, is bringing his B Home store to Greenbelt 5. The store carries designs by Movement 8 members such as world-renowned designers Kenneth Cobonpue and Ann Pamintuan. There will also be Borders, Domicillo and Designs Ligna.

I remember a particular show, the first year CITEM head, the late Eli Pinto, launched Movement 8 and everybody was just blown away by Milo Naval’s Zen-inspired sofas and tables, the award-winning wire wall décor of Ann, and Kenneth’s twig sofas.

Seeing all their designs in export shows and being awed by the creativity and astounding detail they put into their products, I thought, “How come they’re not available in the Philippines?” This sentiment, of course, was echoed by fans of Filipino furniture design. And now, Greenbelt 5 has them.

Because the concept of putting a mostly-Filipino mall is a new one — even the restaurants are Filipino-owned and managed — it took a bit of pursuing from the Ayala Malls Group for these artists to locate there.

“We flew to Cebu to talk with furniture and accessories exporters, we read fashion magazines and lifestyle pages to update ourselves on who’s hot,” says AC Legarda Ocampo, department manager of Greenbelt.

Rowena admits that with the furniture exporters, it took a little more convincing, “Most of them, their first reaction was to say no because they were already happy with their export business and they didn’t want to manage a retail store. But after telling them about the concept, that it was a tribute to the Filipino artist, and we were not doing this for business alone, we were able to get a good number of exporters and artists.”

First time to locate in a mall are also some entrepreneurs whose cooking already have a cult following. There’s Pia y Damaso by Bambi Sy-Gobio, who used to co-own the restaurant Fidel in Malate, and Baba Ibazeta, famous for her homemade banana cream pie, who opened Classic Confections. Then there are the established restaurant groups such as Gaita Fores’ CIBO , LJC Group’s Fely J and Chateau 1771. New concepts to check out are John & Yoko, Travel Cafe, Zuni, Myron’s Place, Solihiya, and Fish Out of Water.

It’s interesting how, in many ways, the success of Greenbelts 2 and 3 has changed the way people dine out and the way malls are built today. It was a gamble on Ayala Malls’ part back then to create venues for al fresco dining given the country’s temperate weather and the Pinoy’s love for being inside air-conditioned places to escape the heat. “With Greenbelt 3, we embraced the park. The anchor is not a traditional anchor, but a three-hectare park. Now they’re not just able to eat in good restos but are also able to walk along the park with their families,” Rowena says.

Greenbelt 5 — as with many Ayala Malls ventures — is innovative in many ways. “We make sure there’s always something new with what we develop,” she adds. “We are not content to build the same and this is bound to add value to the whole area.”

The structure of Greenbelt 5 is an elegant testament to their faith in the Filipino talent and also, in a sense, to an improving economy. It took faith, too, on the part of first-time retailers and restaurateurs — faith that the public will patronize them.

In the end, it’s not only the Filipino soul that Greenbelt 5 is showcasing, it’s also the Filipino heart — that we will appreciate local talents and help them grow.

^^ :applause: kudos to the BDA's who proposed the "filipino zone" idea.. congratulations.. well done!

High street is more high end, IMO. And Shang will build a mall here in BGC. And also, Hooters will open in the Fort Strip.

Malapit na rin matapos ang Glorietta 5 but I have yet to see a rendering of the building. May na-post na ba?

Nagpost na ako nun dati ah.

High street is more high end, IMO. And Shang will build a mall here in BGC. And also, Hooters will open in the Fort Strip.

HOOTERS!!! as in Hooters ng US... Very very nice...:banana:

HOOTERS!!! as in Hooters ng US... Very very nice...:banana:

SM MoA is the location of its very first branch here in the Philippines. It formally opened late last month.

^^ Where in MoA is it located? I'm excited with this. :D

Was at esplanade last nyt around 12am. Walked by hooters. Place is well lighted, definitely doesnt have the seedy atmpshere. Place looks really nice with all the sports paraphernalia and huge tv screens featuring sporting events. Only let down are the local hooters girls, they looked like they were picked up in some dingy, kinky, cheap bar in malate. Saw several american men inside, really having fun with the hooter girls. Sigh beauty is indeed in the eyes of the beholder.

^^ :lol: exotic beauty that is.

Nagpost na ako nun dati ah.

Can you post it again? :)

^^ Hahanapin ko pa kung saan eh. :nuts: Dami nang laman ng PB ko eh, tapos tatlong SSC account pa yun other than the personal PB account for my private pics.

Did anyone read the inquirer article today? There was an interview of Jaime Zobel De Ayala regarding the start of the redevelopment of Glorietta. According to him glorietta 5(G5) will open this Christmas with most of the tenants of G1 and G2 to transfer. G5 will have 3 floors of retail and the rest for offices. Once G5 opens Ayala plans to demolish both G1, G2 and goldcrest. In the interview, Ayala describe somewhat in detail the look and feel of the new glorietta once it is completed. Very exciting news indeed. I tink we will see the start of demolition early next year and the completion of the new G1 and G2 by 2010

heto na..:)

Ayala: ‘above and beyond’ requirements

By Daxim Lucas, Elizabeth Sanchez-Lacson
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:56:00 10/18/2008

MANILA, Philippines—Ayala Land Inc. (ALI), the Philippines’ largest real estate developer, appears unaffected by the adverse publicity it received in the wake of the explosion at its Glorietta 2 mall on Oct. 19, 2007.

The mall is a picture of buzzing activity—a far cry from the somber silence that pervaded it a year ago. In fact, the redevelopment of the whole Glorietta complex is underway, promising an exciting makeover.

The explosion, which claimed 11 lives and injured more than 100, trained the spotlight on the business practices of the Ayala conglomerate, the oldest in the country and long at the forefront of corporate social responsibility.

But ALI had not been completely forthcoming about what was done and how much was spent for the victims of the explosion and their families.

At best, it had assured reporters—in off-the-record remarks—that it went “above and beyond what is required of it” in helping the families of those who perished.

At worst, it had been deliberately vague.

On Friday, ALI spokesperson Jorge Marco responded by e-mail to questions from the Inquirer.

“We extended assistance to the victims through hospitalization, treatment, posttrauma counseling and other financial assistance,” Marco said. “We prefer not to discuss details of the financial assistance as this was requested by the victims, and we would want to respect their privacy.”

No financial burden

But according to an informed source, ALI made sure that all the immediate relatives of those who perished or were injured would have “no financial burden” whatsoever.

“At the very least, Ayala Land paid P5 million to the families of each of the victims who died,” the source said.

Of the amount, P1 million was in cash and P4 million came in the form of a house-and-lot package in an “Ayala development south of Metro Manila.”

The source said ALI was mum about the details on the request of the victims themselves.

“They did not want their neighbors to think that they moved into the village only because they were victims,” the source said. “Some also did not want to be bothered if others would learn that they received cash settlements.”

The possibility of scholarship grants to the children of the victims who would meet certain selection criteria was also discussed, the source said.

ALI waived the standard practice of paying compensation based on a victim’s age and income potential, and instead granted everyone the same level of benefits, the source said, adding:

“What Ayala gave was over the top, regardless of who there were.”

The company also spent from P50,000 to P200,000 for the hospitalization and medical expenses of each of those wounded, the source said.

Quiet commemoration

ALI’s Marco said the company sometimes called on some of the relatives of the victims “to see how they’re doing.”

They have “mostly moved on,” he said.

Marco said the company held a special Mass on Friday with special intentions said for the victims.

“We’re commemorating [the anniversary] quietly, out of respect for the victims and their families who have their own plans for remembering the day,” he said.

Marco said ALI had also improved on safety procedures:

“Since last year we have increased the number of guards and cameras as well as the number of K9s detailed at all our malls.

“We continue to observe all safety procedures and apply best practices in ensuring safety in and around our malls.

“We wish to assure the public that we will continue to adopt the latest state-of-the-art security equipment, measures and controls conforming to global standards at all our malls through Ayala Property Management Corp., which is triple-ISO certified and which has won many awards on safety and environmental consciousness.”

The nature of the improvements reflects the company’s unwavering stand that the tragedy on Oct. 19, 2007, was caused by a bomb.

But the Philippine National Police, citing its findings as well as those by foreign explosives experts, continues to insist that the explosion was a result of a mixture of toxic gases.

In another e-mail, ALI president Jaime Ayala said part of the renovation process was to demolish the old Glorietta 1 and 2 sections of the complex as well as Goldcrest, the flea market area, to make way for “a brand-new, mixed-use development that will consist of fresh flagship stores and updated concepts from the mall’s existing Glorietta 1 and 2 merchants.”

Ayala said in an earlier interview: “If you remember Glorietta before, it was several different buildings and we put one roof over it. That’s why Glorietta 4 has four floors and Glorietta 1 has one floor. It didn’t really connect. So the main thrust of the redevelopment is to integrate everything into one mall so it will feel just like one mall.”

Ayala also said the new Glorietta mall would include cutting-edge office spaces and a new businessman’s hotel. The retail area in the middle will also link up with Glorietta 3 and 4, creating a new activity center, a ground-level interior boulevard and a spacious activity-filled roof deck.

“Once completed, Glorietta will reinforce its position as the premier shopping destination in the country,” he said.

ALI is also constructing Glorietta 5, an 8-level structure, on the old parking lot occupying the space in front of Hotel InterContinental Manila.

It is scheduled to open in time for the Christmas season.

“The Oct. 19 incident was a tragic occurrence that had a marked impact on our patrons and merchants, particularly those that suffered fatalities. Since the crisis, we have redoubled our efforts to ensure the safety and security of all of our shopping centers and developments,” Ayala said.

Marco said the tragedy had “actually brought our employees closer together.”

“We are pleased to note that our employees have moved on and things have normalized since early this year,” he said, adding that those whom the police had initially held responsible for the blast had also “resumed their usual duties even while legal proceedings were going on.”

The Department of Justice has filed criminal charges of reckless imprudence resulting in homicide and multiple physical injuries against eight officers and staff members of ALI lessor Makati Supermarket Corp. (MSC), Marchem Industrial Sales and Services and pipe work company Metalline, and cleared ALI officials of any liability.

But Marco said his company’s relationship with MSC remained stable.

Clients have also remained with Marchem, according to its operations manager Clifford Arriola. But he said the threat of a lawsuit was not only “disheartening” but also a burden to the finances of his company.

The Inquirer requested interviews with ALI officials cleared by the justice department of criminal responsibility, namely building engineer Marcelo Botenes, building administrator Jowell Velvez and Glorietta building manager Arnel Gonzales.

But Marco said they had all “specifically requested not to be interviewed.”

MSC assistant for projects and project engineer Candelario Valdueza, one of those the DOJ said were liable for the blast, also declined to answer questions.

Reached by phone in his office at the MSC, Valdueza said his company was helping him in legal expenses. He refused to comment further. With reports from Edson C. Tandoc Jr. and Alcuin Papa

By Elizabeth Sanchez-Lacson
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 23:34:00 10/17/2008
http://newsinfo.inquirer.net/breakingnews/metro/view/20081017-167043/Glorietta-redevelopment-under-way

MANILA, Philippines—The Glorietta in Makati today is a picture of buzzing activity, a welcome change from the grief that haunted its stalls a year ago.

Ayala Land Inc., one of the country’s largest real estate developers and the owner-operator of Glorietta said it has made inroads in overcoming the stigma of the October 19 blast that killed 11 people injured hundreds last year.

In fact, the redevelopment of the whole Glorietta complex is underway and it includes a makeover of the old Glorietta mall.

ALI president Jaime Ayala, in a emailed response to Philippine Daily Inquirer, said part of the process is to demolish the old Glorietta 1 and 2 sections of the mall complex as well as “Goldcrest”, the flea market area, to make way for “a brand new, mixed-use development that will consist of fresh flagship stores and updated concepts from the mall's existing Glorietta 1 and 2 merchants.”

“If you remember Glorietta before, it was several different buildings and we put one roof over it. That's why Glorietta 4 has four floors and Glorietta 1 has one floor. It didn't really connect. So the main thrust of the redevelopment is to integrate everything into one mall so it will feel just like one mall,” Ayala said in an earlier interview.

Ayala also said the new Glorietta mall will include cutting-edge office spaces and a new businessman's hotel. The retail area in the middle will also link up with Glorietta 3 and 4, creating a new activity center, a ground level interior boulevard and a spacious activity-filled roof deck.

Today there is only one hotel.

“Once completed, Glorietta will reinforce its position as the premier shopping destination in the country,” Ayala said.

As part of the redevelopment, ALI is constructing the fifth Glorietta building or Glorietta 5, an eight-level structure at the old parking lot occupying the space in front of Hotel Intercontinental Manila and beside Rustan’s mall. Glorietta 5 is slated to open in time for the Christmas season this year.

Three floors of Glorietta 5 will have retail spaces spanning around 9,500 square meters, and the other five floors will have office spaces that may cater to business process outsourcing (BPO) firms.

Some of the tenants displaced by the closure of the damaged Glorietta 2 are given the option to transfer to other Ayala mall sites, including Glorietta 5, officials earlier said.

“We have already moved most of the Glorietta 1 tenants to Glorietta 5 which is under construction. Once we move them (all) over there, we can already start with G1 and G2,” Ayala said.

To further enhance the makeover of the Glorietta Center, ALI has teamed up with Dubai-based Kingdom Hotel Investments, a Saudi-owned hotel and resort management company, to develop a 7,377-square-meter lot at the corner of Makati Avenue and Arnaiz Avenue into a luxury hotel complex.



The development, which will cost roughly $153 million, will comprise a 300-room Fairmont Hotel, a 30-suite Raffles Hotel, and 189 Raffles-branded private residences.

^^ I hope that the investment tie-up make up of those who developed Dubai...... So that Makait be better than Dubai....

.“If you remember Glorietta before, it was several different buildings and we put one roof over it. That's why Glorietta 4 has four floors and Glorietta 1 has one floor.

Mr. Ayala, di ba 2 floors ang Glorietta 1, 2nd floor yung cinema?

Mr. Ayala, di ba 2 floors ang Glorietta 1, 2nd floor yung cinema?

And not just the 4 Cinemas, there's also the 2nd-level of National Bookstore there and several dining outlets including Tokyo Tokyo, Yellow Cab, and Chowking to name a few of the Glorietta 1 tenants on the second floor.

^^hehe di yata nagpupuntak sila doon at medyo low end for them !:lol:

Hope anybody has any news about this redevelopment. I recently went inside G5 and saw the upcoming new store of national book store. Outside its supposed door is a sign that says "national book store glorietta 1 will be open until dec 31 only" I get it as such that the old national book store will finally close and transfer to G5, so does this mean that G1 and G2 will be demolish early next year? And that redevelopment of the entire glorietta will follow soon?

^^ yes. along with the redevelopment of greenbelt 1.

great to hear that they are starting very soon. oh boy, am gonna miss the old glorietta. makes me think im getting really old. :lol:

haha....quad pa lang dati. i'll surely miss Glorietta 1 and GB1. :cry:

since we are reminiscing, naalala niyo ba yung parang carabao park sa tabi ng sm makati? :D

Yeah, meron ding shop selling Filipino handicrafts fronting the carabao park. Sorry, I forgot its name.

Wow! Closed na pala and Glorietta 1... Let's expect its demolition soon.

since we are reminiscing, naalala niyo ba yung parang carabao park sa tabi ng sm makati? :D

naalala ko bata pa ko nun pati yung greenbelt park...:)

mukhang pagagandahin nila ng husto ang ayala center.

yeah I was surprised last Friday that G1 has closed out except some shops that lead to SM.. but I think they'll close by the end of the week with their shops opening in G5...

this morning I passed by G1 and they've closed the road that lead to G2 and Landmark already...

hmmm.. would they demolish G1 and G2 at the same time? or G1 first like what the initial posts say... except that with the early closure of G2 due to the explosion... except maybe the investigations in G2 is not yet done..

Weird but I'm missing the place already hehe! :D But I'm excited with the developments. I can't wait for the new Glorietta. :D

yeah I was surprised last Friday that G1 has closed out except some shops that lead to SM.. but I think they'll close by the end of the week with their shops opening in G5...

this morning I passed by G1 and they've closed the road that lead to G2 and Landmark already...

hmmm.. would they demolish G1 and G2 at the same time? or G1 first like what the initial posts say... except that with the early closure of G2 due to the explosion... except maybe the investigations in G2 is not yet done..

I remember reading an article before that says the Glorietta redevelopment will be accelerated by redeveloping both G1 and G2 at the same time.

nice to hear that! pakibilisan naman. please.

I am also excited to see the redevelopments..glorietta and greenbelt are my favourite malls :)
Hopefully they will construct a walkway from g4 to g5 soon.

^^ The recent Sunday full-page advertorial from Philippine Star which includes two articles and several pictures did mention two walkways. One from Rustan's, and another one from G4.

ayala wants to make sure it doesn't follow in the footsteps of the aranetas w/ cubao. i remember my parents telling me cubao was the destination of the hip and trendy back in the 60s and 70s. unfortunately, the aranetas did not invested in its redevelopment and the show was stolen by the ayalas through makati commercial center. and now they are securing their stronghold on the title of "premier destination in the country." ayala has great foresight and vision.

ayala wants to make sure it doesn't follow in the footsteps of the aranetas w/ cubao. i remember my parents telling me cubao was the destination of the hip and trendy back in the 60s and 70s. unfortunately, the aranetas did not invested in its redevelopment and the show was stolen by the ayalas through makati commercial center. and now they are securing their stronghold on the title of "premier destination in the country." ayala has great foresight and vision.

actually not to be too argumentative but given Makati is the centre of finance and the place overseas business people sleep overnight, you must admit Makati commercial has been allowed to become quite rundown and in terms of shopping Megamall / EDSA ShangriLa offers much better sophistication and variety.

I would even say that makati is 3rd at the moment after Ortigas and TriNoma. Of course after Greenbelt/Glorieta major revamp and Landmark makeover given its neighbour Fairmont-Raffles, makati will be the clear winner.

By the way I am only speculating that Landmark is planning a major upgrade in appearance and store merchandise. No one has actually writtem about it.

^^In terms of shopping Variety the QC tandem of SM North Edsa (currently the world's 3rd largest Mall) + TriNoma & the upcoming ultra high-end Eton Centris Station will have the largest merchandise selection in the country.

^^In terms of shopping Variety the QC tandem of SM North Edsa (currently the world's 3rd largest Mall) + TriNoma & the upcoming ultra high-end Eton Centris Station will have the largest merchandise selection in the country.

that may be the case but in terms of 'presence" makati and ortigas have to be the high profile areas since the hotels & offices are here and hence the overseas visitors from which the judgement is made.

tiendesitas and greenhills and gateway may also have the shops but the hotels/offices are just not close to them.

***Callison Recreates Glorietta Mall with Sustainable Design***
Callison Recreates Glorietta Mall with Sustainable Design Developer Ayala Land Continues Green Strategy in the Philippines

November 19, 2008 - Callison has been selected by long-term client Ayala Land to redesign the Glorietta Mall, a familiar urban landmark in upscale Makati, at the center of the Business District of Manila, the Philippines. The existing retail center will be repositioned into a new mixed-use destination for the 21st century with 952,000 square feet of retail space, 592,000 square feet of office space and 350 hotel rooms. Callison worked with Ayala Land on Greenbelt 3, another mixed-use project in the Makati District, which blends outdoor and indoor spaces establishing a lush oasis in a dense urban core. Greenbelt 3 opened to overwhelming accolades by residents, tourists, tenants and community leaders and won several awards including the ICSC Award for Innovative Design and ULI Award for Excellence.

As the leading developer in the Philippines, Ayala Land is at the forefront of sustainable design. Glorietta’s new mixed-use development will employ a “green strategy” that serves the company’s goal of creating energy efficiency and engaging the community. A green roof will double as an urban park, turning retail focus outward and capturing foot traffic from the nearby mass transit station. Ramping systems establish a natural pedestrian thoroughfare, connecting the retail center to an adjacent hotel and office towers. Natural daylighting and ventilation save energy while creating a comfortable environment for shoppers. Callison has completed master planning and design with construction scheduled to commence spring 2009.

http://www.callison.com/press/index.cfm?display=article&NewsIndex=230


***Glorietta - Ayala Land Inc. - Greening the Philippines***
Bold textGreening the Philippines

As the leading developer in the Philippines, Ayala Land Inc. is also at the forefront of sustainable design. Glorietta’s mixed-use redevelopment employs a “green strategy” that serves the company’s goals of creating energy efficiency and engaging the community. The green roof doubles as an urban park, turning retail focus outward and capturing foot traffic from a nearby mass transit station. Ramping systems establish a natural pedestrian thoroughfare, connecting the retail center to adjacent hotel and office towers. Natural ventilation and daylighting save energy while creating a comfortable environment.

http://www.callison.com/ourWork/index.cfm?display=project&Project_ID=33



:lol::):lol::):lol::):lol::):lol::)

kaya naman pala sarado na ang glorietta 1 pati at glorietta 2.. mamimiss ko ang glorietta 1.. Glorietta pa rin kaya ang pangalan pagkatapos ng renovation?

Sna matapos agad.. masikip na kce sa glorietta..

yeah I was surprised last Friday that G1 has closed out except some shops that lead to SM.. but I think they'll close by the end of the week with their shops opening in G5...
this morning I passed by G1 and they've closed the road that lead to G2 and Landmark already...
hmmm.. would they demolish G1 and G2 at the same time? or G1 first like what the initial posts say... except that with the early closure of G2 due to the explosion... except maybe the investigations in G2 is not yet done..I remember reading an article before that says the Glorietta redevelopment will be accelerated by redeveloping both G1 and G2 at the same time.

Quoted from:
http://www.asianjournal.com/balikbayan/real-estate/289-glorietta-redevelopment-under-way-.html (http://www.asianjournal.com/balikbayan/real-estate/289-glorietta-redevelopment-under-way-.html)

ALI president Jaime Ayala, in a emailed response to Philippine Daily Inquirer, said part of the process is to demolish the old Glorietta 1 and 2 sections of the mall complex as well as “Goldcrest”, the flea market area, to make way for “a brand new, mixed-use development that will consist of fresh flagship stores and updated concepts from the mall's existing Glorietta 1 and 2 merchants.”

----


from http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=432546&publicationSubCategoryId=86

What Glorietta has in store for you
Updated January 18, 2009 12:00 AM

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/8408/lif12ael4.jpg

Rediscover your local favorites from Glorietta 1 as they find a new home at the heart of the urban business and commercial Makati district in Glorietta 5! This premiere phase in the redevelopment of the Glorietta converges five levels of cutting-edge office spaces and three levels of retail and dining outlets, setting out to innovate and demonstrate comfort and utmost accessibility all in one mixed-use development.

Enjoy the variety of familiar gastronomic offerings in Glorietta 5 such as Chowking, Gerry’s Grill, Giligan’s Island, Mangan, Mongkok, North Park, Spaghetti Factory, The Soup Kitchen, Tokyo Tokyo, W Grill, and Yellow Cab Pizza.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/2025/lif12bts6.jpg

Jewelry and watch stops Alexis, Czarina’s, DG Alahas, Ding Velayo, Evie Costa, F&C Jewelry, Mercelles, Moissanite, Ocampo’s, Prima Gold, Secondo, Seiko, and Vanafi can be found in Glorietta 5 while specialty stores like Carolina’s, Fabric Warehouse, Kristine fabric shops, tailoring shops like Carriage Shop, Patrix Custom, and Vida Doria, Optical stores Rita Optical, Shades, The Optical Shop, and Magno Optical are now open as well.

Personal needs stores — from appliance to electronics shops like Abensons, Blims & Sogo, and Camerahaus to personal needs stores like National Bookstore, M.S. Somera, beauty stop Avon and Ricky Reyes Hair Salon — are all nestled conveniently in Glorietta 5.

Favored brands for fashion fiends such as Akita, Artwork, Bench, Bobby Novenario, Brandorama, Bread and Butter, Celine, Chesca, Classified, Confetti, Dresslab, Edgar Allan, Ensemble/Freeway/Solo, Folded & Hung, Skechers, GIBI, Infini Line, Itti, Otto, Jag, Janylin, Jose, K2, Kandy and Karen, Karimadon, Le Donne, Leaveland, Maldita, Manel’s, Marcella’s, Meg, Mendrez, Margay, Milani, Mocha, Mondi, Ohrelle, Plains and Prints, Prizms, Rusty Lopez, S.O. Fab, Terrie, Trevise Unica Hija, Via Venetto, and Wrangler also opened shop in this new retail haven.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/1598/lif12cya9.jpg

Ayala Malls shoppers are likewise in for a treat! With the extended Big Handover Sale, now you can enjoy great discounts at Glorietta 5’s newly opened participating establishments ongoing now!

As Ayala Malls remains steadfast in maintaining world-class facilities by providing opportunities for entrepreneurs, workers, and shoppers, while upholding sustainable development measures, the future of business and leisure converges at Glorietta 5!

CALLISON din pala ang gumawa ng Greenbelt3 at Trinoma.. I am excited kung ano ang itsura ng bagong Glorietta mall.. SOSYAL at Kakaiba na naman ito!!

http://www.callison.com/ourWork/index.cfm?display=projectSearch&viewall=yes



:banana::banana::):)

quoted from: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=432545

Ayala Malls' Glorietta 5: The hub of business and leisure
Updated January 18, 2009 12:00 AM
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/3848/lif11df4.jpg

Ayala Malls sets out to innovate and demonstrate comfort and luxury once again at the lush confines of the urban setting in the Makati Central Business District as it opens its newest retail and business destination — Glorietta 5. The first glimpse into the redevelopment plans of Glorietta, the newly established mixed-use development spans a total of eight floors architecturally mastered with modern fixtures interiors that will soon house office space combined with local retail and dining favorites, all within Makati.

Home to state-of-the-art design and well-crafted structure, Glorietta 5’s modern architecture intersperses contemporary external wall façade treatment and high-ceilinged interiors with the familiar open spaces of Ayala Center. It opens a whole new boulevard of business opportunities with its eight-level building offering two levels of basement parking to serve five levels of cutting-edge office and three levels of retail and dining outlets. Enjoy local favorites and revel in the variety of restaurant choices.

Ayala Malls’ aim to integrate every Glorietta mall into one is achieved through an air conditioned walkway from Glorietta 5 to Glorietta 4 and a bridgeway to Rustan’s, maintaining interconnectivity within the center. Over 250 parking slots will be connected to the multi-level parking area of Glorietta 4, giving car owners more parking options and convenient access to more mall areas, providing maximum convenience to shoppers.

read the rest of the article at: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=432545

^^ The recent Sunday full-page advertorial from Philippine Star which includes two articles and several pictures did mention two walkways. One from Rustan's, and another one from G4.

quoted from: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=432545

Ayala Malls’ aim to integrate every Glorietta mall into one is achieved through an air conditioned walkway from Glorietta 5 to Glorietta 4 and a bridgeway to Rustan’s, maintaining interconnectivity within the center. Over 250 parking slots will be connected to the multi-level parking area of Glorietta 4, giving car owners more parking options and convenient access to more mall areas, providing maximum convenience to shoppers.

read the rest of the article at: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=432545

:)

medyo mababa ceiling nung old glorietta.

My Review of Glorietta 5: "Ayala has gone boxy...maybe a little too boxy"

Exteriors:
Looks designed in the 90's. Too simple - Ayala could have done a lot more to improve the design.

General Interiors:
"Waltermart Makati looks even more beautiful than this...don't even try comparing this to SM City North's The Annex because SM's latest effort is in a much higher level"

Circulation:
The positive thing is that Ayala has managed to maximize the space because of the grid layout of the design.

Walls:
Glass facade interspersed by concrete columns. Very simple.

Flooring:
TriNoma's tiles would look like a masterpiece compared to the tiles of G5. G5's tiles Look & feel like PLAIN CEMENT!! The only way I knew they weren't is when I saw the thin lines that made a grid pattern on the floor, then I realized they were really tiles!:ohno:

Shops:
Almost the same shops as the ones in Ali Mall. One of the few bright spots are the good dinning selections on the mall & some of them face the park fronting Glorietta 4.

In General:
The mall addition should have been called "The Depot".

maybe sloansquare has a point. i think ayala malls in the cbd should avoid putting their air conditioning ducts and heavy equipments(eyesores) atop their malls. because that's what the office people will see when they look down to enjoy the view. i'm sure there are other places where they can conceal those things. they oughtta put grasses atop their roofdecks so it'll look more attractive and green.

maybe sloansquare has a point. i think ayala malls in the cbd should avoid putting their air conditioning ducts and heavy equipments(eyesores) atop their malls. because that's what the office people will see when they look down to enjoy the view. i'm sure there are other places where they can conceal those things. they oughtta put grasses atop their roofdecks so it'll look more attractive and green.

just like what they did to Greenbelt 5? :)

I hope the Ayala Center could come up with a design like the Burjuman Centre in Dubai. I simply love this mall. :)


http://www.dubai-architecture.info/images/Bur_Dubai23.jpg

http://k53.pbase.com/g4/36/640536/2/61810464.jrphvFGT.jpg

http://www.edc.ca/imagesCMS/p8.jpg

http://www.gulfnews.com/images/08/08/24/24_aug_readers_pics_20_5.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3200/2663498596_4bc31db44e.jpg?v=0

http://lh5.ggpht.com/_ig_yNz1NnSo/Rv3yYP_bglI/AAAAAAAAAME/q0bhj_RDWY4/BurJaman+Centre.jpg

kailan ang expected opening ng bagong Ayala center??. sana, instead of renovation nagdagdag na lang sila ng bagong malls sa ayala center,ok pa naman yung G1 at G2 e. pampadagdag ng size. who knows mahabol nila ang sm north edsa. but then, ang problema siguro ay space. sana ginawa na lang mid/high rise na shopping mall. like in HK, may napuntahan ako dun 10-12 floors ata. basta ba madaming elevator wala namang problema e.

^^ G2 is not okay
dude, it exploded.

G1 is outdated and looked
gloomy before it was closed.

IMO, ayala is right in
their decision to overhaul
the whole place and make
it more stunning, more eco-friendly,
and even more stunning

:cheers:

***Callison Recreates Glorietta Mall with Sustainable Design***
Callison Recreates Glorietta Mall with Sustainable Design Developer Ayala Land Continues Green Strategy in the Philippines

November 19, 2008 - Callison has been selected by long-term client Ayala Land to redesign the Glorietta Mall, a familiar urban landmark in upscale Makati, at the center of the Business District of Manila, the Philippines. The existing retail center will be repositioned into a new mixed-use destination for the 21st century with 952,000 square feet of retail space, 592,000 square feet of office space and 350 hotel rooms. Callison worked with Ayala Land on Greenbelt 3, another mixed-use project in the Makati District, which blends outdoor and indoor spaces establishing a lush oasis in a dense urban core. Greenbelt 3 opened to overwhelming accolades by residents, tourists, tenants and community leaders and won several awards including the ICSC Award for Innovative Design and ULI Award for Excellence.

As the leading developer in the Philippines, Ayala Land is at the forefront of sustainable design. Glorietta’s new mixed-use development will employ a “green strategy” that serves the company’s goal of creating energy efficiency and engaging the community. A green roof will double as an urban park, turning retail focus outward and capturing foot traffic from the nearby mass transit station. Ramping systems establish a natural pedestrian thoroughfare, connecting the retail center to an adjacent hotel and office towers. Natural daylighting and ventilation save energy while creating a comfortable environment for shoppers. Callison has completed master planning and design with construction scheduled to commence spring 2009.

http://www.callison.com/press/index.cfm?display=article&NewsIndex=230


***Glorietta - Ayala Land Inc. - Greening the Philippines***
Bold textGreening the Philippines

As the leading developer in the Philippines, Ayala Land Inc. is also at the forefront of sustainable design. Glorietta’s mixed-use redevelopment employs a “green strategy” that serves the company’s goals of creating energy efficiency and engaging the community. The green roof doubles as an urban park, turning retail focus outward and capturing foot traffic from a nearby mass transit station. Ramping systems establish a natural pedestrian thoroughfare, connecting the retail center to adjacent hotel and office towers. Natural ventilation and daylighting save energy while creating a comfortable environment.

http://www.callison.com/ourWork/index.cfm?display=project&Project_ID=33



:lol::):lol::):lol::):lol::):lol::)
now that i see what glorietta 5 looks like, I am very disappointed that this project was not awarded to a Filipino architect..i dont see any special theme (its still a box) , any special design, any unique use of building materials or concepts....the Zobels did not aspire for technologically cutting features which would require overseas exposure so was this not awarded to a local architect?

now that i see what glorietta 5 looks like, I am very disappointed that this project was not awarded to a Filipino architect..i dont see any special theme (its still a box) , any special design, any unique use of building materials or concepts....the Zobels did not aspire for technologically cutting features which would require overseas exposure so was this not awarded to a local architect?

If they hire a foreign architect, there'd always be a local consultant.

^^ G2 is not okay
dude, it exploded.

G1 is outdated and looked
gloomy before it was closed.

IMO, ayala is right in
their decision to overhaul
the whole place and make
it more stunning, more eco-friendly,
and even more stunning

:cheers:

^^ Yup, G2. Who would want to be reminded of it? A new structure would allow them a fresh start. And G1, not only is it outdated, it's also wasting prime Makati land with only two-levels. And with the four cinemas occupying majority of the second level, there's little retail space left. As a whole, starting from scratch would allow them better integration between malls resulting in more like a unified Glorietta.

If they hire a foreign architect, there'd always be a local consultant.



^^ Yup, G2. Who would want to be reminded of it? A new structure would allow them a fresh start. And G1, not only is it outdated, it's also wasting prime Makati land with only two-levels. And with the four cinemas occupying majority of the second level, there's little retail space left. As a whole, starting from scratch would allow them better integration between malls resulting in more like a unified Glorietta.

exactly. i understand that you cannot award 100% of a contract to a foreign architectural firms..so they align themselves to a local firm such that the local firm is saleng pusa...its noticeable since who can identify the local partner for the greenbelt project...pacific plaza fort...essensa? the lack of name recall highlights the saleng pusa status of the local firm.

yeah like the one in gbelt 5!

hope pics of this project are coming

^^May renders na noon ng Ayala redevelopment at napaka promising talaga. Pero yung Garden theme sa rooftop di na ground-breaking dahil sa TriNoma at Grand Relaunch ng SM City North Edsa. Its good naman for shoppers sa Makati because they deserve the highest quality shopping kaya napapanahon na ang grand renovation ng mall.

IF Greenbelt 4 &5 have been set aside for elite boutiques what is TIMEZONE doing located on the top floor of Greenbelt 5.
RIDICULOUS...you cannot be sort of a snob...you are either a snob or not at all.

^^ maybe they want them kids and yayas to stay at Timezone while the snob people go around shop at Balenciaga :lol: sort of a day care center :D

its more that our market is too small to accommodate any more luxury names. its so Zobel management..mix and match..vey ordinary...for example you would not put a Carrefour in Greenbelt 4&5 even if its French since its just Kmart with an accent

napansin ko may bagong road markings ang ayala center :)

next, i hope they also brithen up the area and put street lights, similar to greenhills and araneta center very vibrant at night tlga doon..ang ayala naman dark and gloomy

sana din lagyan ng asphalt overlay ang buong area since it is one of the most bumpy roads u can find in makati. ganda tlga roads ng greenhills and araneta compared to it. also they should strictly implement pedestrian signal lights similar to hongkong. ultimo ang park in front of 6750 and shang walang pedetrian signal lights i often see mga tourists nakikipag pantitero sa cars, lalo na sa gabi ang dilim pa dun !:ohno:

^^ At least natututo ang mga banyagang turista ng isang laro na pinoy na pinoy... ang patintero! :lol:

IF Greenbelt 4 &5 have been set aside for elite boutiques what is TIMEZONE doing located on the top floor of Greenbelt 5.
RIDICULOUS...you cannot be sort of a snob...you are either a snob or not at all.

I guess it's part of their "zoning". Greenbelt 5's top floor consist of shops targeted for children - Florsheim Kids, etc. Maybe it's a way for kids to pass the time while the 'rents go shopping for them. :dunno:

is there a plan to put up another ayala center complex at the fort? market market is masa eh.

is there a plan to put up another ayala center complex at the fort? market market is masa eh.

^^ Ayala already has the Bonifacio High Street for its posh retail development.

is there a plan to put up another ayala center complex at the fort? market market is masa eh.
why what are you trying to buy ? fort needs more eating places . i think there are enough shops..we just walk and look at the shops but never buy anything on boni high street. i just dont need anything that they are selling

boni high st and the west superblock, as extensions of boni high street, caters to high-end shops. market-market its its contrast and they compliment each other.

i agree, ayala center needs more lighting. but lighting the shopping district and ayala ave should be covered by the city government, thus a turnover of rights should be issued by ali (for the roads only).

why what are you trying to buy ? fort needs more eating places . i think there are enough shops..we just walk and look at the shops but never buy anything on boni high street. i just dont need anything that they are selling


exactly my point. that's why i never considered boni high street or serendra for that matter as a legitimate shopping complex.

^^OT: what highstreet or serendra should have is a very good high-end cinema. that's what's lacking in BGC IMO. =)

for the ayala center redevelopment, i hope it progresses fast! can't wait to see another greenbelt-caliber finishes. :cheers:

^^OT: what highstreet or serendra should have is a very good high-end cinema. that's what's lacking in BGC IMO. =)

OT pa rin... i totally agree with that! BGC needs a good cinema complex! venice mall will have one but then again, that's in mc kinley already.

^^ Ayala already has the Bonifacio High Street for its posh retail development.

that places must get owned during rain. it's a great place at night-time, when it's not too hot or it's not pouring.

I have to say that I'm quite disappointed with G5, it's has blocked the classic view of Pacific Plaza from the G4 foodcourt, and it's not like it's enhanced the view, it's just a giant box blocking the vie :bash:

^^ Sacrifices need to be made. You may see it as a view blocker or maybe even an eyesore, but then G5 would eventually allow for a more beautiful Glorietta by allowing them to finally close the old Glorietta 1 for a new and much better one. And remember, we have Glorietta 5 to thank for that.

do we know if Landmark exterior will get a major facelift in keeping with the Fairmont and the Links

its not quite Ayala but I just drove past the Manadarin Hotel.. the exterior paint is really embarrassingly shockingly dilapidated.

I totally agree. I have stayed at the Mandarin here in Manila and the rooms are sorely in need of a makeover. It is definitely the worst Mandarin Oriental hotel world-wide and must be a bit of an embarrassment to the Mandarin Oriental Group. The only part of the hotel that is vaguely nice is the Paseo Uno restaurant. It is hard to believe that nothing has been done to upgrade this hotel. I can't imagine why anyone stays there when you have the Peninsula and the Makati Shangri-La just down the road!

I totally agree. I have stayed at the Mandarin here in Manila and the rooms are sorely in need of a makeover. It is definitely the worst Mandarin Oriental hotel world-wide and must be a bit of an embarrassment to the Mandarin Oriental Group. The only part of the hotel that is vaguely nice is the Paseo Uno restaurant. It is hard to believe that nothing has been done to upgrade this hotel. I can't imagine why anyone stays there when you have the Peninsula and the Makati Shangri-La just down the road!

what makes it hard to understand is that it is totall owned by Mandarin..no one else is to blame..if the Intercon were sloppy, we could blame the Zobels since Intercon is only the management company.

^^ the Zobels probably have
a plan for Intercon in the future.
there was a news article (or was it a
post by another forumer??) saying
that Intercon will have a facelift
soon. it's still nice inside but
the exterior is just plainly outdated
and ugly.

Manila Pen is also another thing.
imho, it looks like a commie block.
:bash:

^^ Manila Pen still retains its charm. Intercon though IMO needs a major facelift.

the fairmont will be the first expensive looking hotel makati will have since 1969 when the Intercon became the first 5star hotel in makati...what a condemnation of makati architecture and the kuriput investors we have..shows how far behind we really fell

I hope gibain na ang Landmark at magtayo sila ng isang mataas na tower (70-storey office/hotel/apartment) sa pwesto nito. Department store parin ang ground floor hanggang 4th floor.

I hope gibain na ang Landmark at magtayo sila ng isang mataas na tower (70-storey office/hotel/apartment) sa pwesto nito. Department store parin ang ground floor hanggang 4th floor.

^^ That part of Makati Avenue really needs a tall structure (plus 40 storeys) in order to remove the apparent monotony on the small structures in the area.

purple lights on glorieta 5 like the Links

quoted from: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=432545

Ayala Malls' Glorietta 5: The hub of business and leisure
Updated January 18, 2009 12:00 AM
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/3848/lif11df4.jpg

Ayala Malls sets out to innovate and demonstrate comfort and luxury once again at the lush confines of the urban setting in the Makati Central Business District as it opens its newest retail and business destination — Glorietta 5. The first glimpse into the redevelopment plans of Glorietta, the newly established mixed-use development spans a total of eight floors architecturally mastered with modern fixtures interiors that will soon house office space combined with local retail and dining favorites, all within Makati.

Home to state-of-the-art design and well-crafted structure, Glorietta 5’s modern architecture intersperses contemporary external wall façade treatment and high-ceilinged interiors with the familiar open spaces of Ayala Center. It opens a whole new boulevard of business opportunities with its eight-level building offering two levels of basement parking to serve five levels of cutting-edge office and three levels of retail and dining outlets. Enjoy local favorites and revel in the variety of restaurant choices.

Ayala Malls’ aim to integrate every Glorietta mall into one is achieved through an air conditioned walkway from Glorietta 5 to Glorietta 4 and a bridgeway to Rustan’s, maintaining interconnectivity within the center. Over 250 parking slots will be connected to the multi-level parking area of Glorietta 4, giving car owners more parking options and convenient access to more mall areas, providing maximum convenience to shoppers.

read the rest of the article at: http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=432545


aba..tapos na pala ang glorietta 5. thanks for posting, thomasian!

Updated January 18, 2009 12:00 AM

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/8408/lif12ael4.jpg :banana:


Rediscover your local favorites from Glorietta 1 as they find a new home at the heart of the urban business and commercial Makati district in Glorietta 5! This premiere phase in the redevelopment of the Glorietta converges five levels of cutting-edge office spaces and three levels of retail and dining outlets, setting out to innovate and demonstrate comfort and utmost accessibility all in one mixed-use development.


Enjoy the variety of familiar gastronomic offerings in Glorietta 5 such as Chowking, Gerry’s Grill, Giligan’s Island, Mangan, Mongkok, North Park, Spaghetti Factory, The Soup Kitchen, Tokyo Tokyo, W Grill, and Yellow

Cab Pizza. http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/2025/lif12bts6.jpg
Jewelry and watch stops Alexis, Czarina’s, DG Alahas, Ding Velayo, Evie Costa, F&C Jewelry, Mercelles, Moissanite, Ocampo’s, Prima Gold, Secondo, Seiko, and Vanafi can be found in Glorietta 5 while specialty stores like Carolina’s, Fabric Warehouse, Kristine fabric shops, tailoring shops like Carriage Shop, Patrix Custom, and Vida Doria, Optical stores Rita Optical, Shades, The Optical Shop, and Magno Optical are now open as well.

Personal needs stores — from appliance to electronics shops like Abensons, Blims & Sogo, and Camerahaus to personal needs stores like National Bookstore, M.S. Somera, beauty stop Avon and Ricky Reyes Hair Salon — are all nestled conveniently in Glorietta 5.

Favored brands for fashion fiends such as Akita, Artwork, Bench, Bobby Novenario, Brandorama, Bread and Butter, Celine, Chesca, Classified, Confetti, Dresslab, Edgar Allan, Ensemble/Freeway/Solo, Folded & Hung, Skechers, GIBI, Infini Line, Itti, Otto, Jag, Janylin, Jose, K2, Kandy and Karen, Karimadon, Le Donne, Leaveland, Maldita, Manel’s, Marcella’s, Meg, Mendrez, Margay, Milani, Mocha, Mondi, Ohrelle, Plains and Prints, Prizms, Rusty Lopez, S.O. Fab, Terrie, Trevise Unica Hija, Via Venetto, and Wrangler also opened shop in this new retail haven.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/1598/lif12cya9.jpg

Ayala Malls shoppers are likewise in for a treat! With the extended Big Handover Sale, now you can enjoy great discounts at Glorietta 5’s newly opened participating establishments ongoing now!
As Ayala Malls remains steadfast in maintaining world-class facilities by providing opportunities for entrepreneurs, workers, and shoppers, while upholding sustainable development measures, the future of business and leisure converges at Glorietta 5!


source: philstar.com (http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=432546)

^^ Am not really a fan of the new Glorietta 5. I was expecting more from the Ayalas considering that the location is so prime.

^^well, it's really intended to be a BPO office, I think the retail part is just a bonus... somewhat like what they've done with 6750 (although 6750 is a much larger, better, and grander office building)...

i agree.its a box with nice exterior facade when lit...but hey its an AMERICAN architect....so its must be good yeah?

^^ it is.. but its quite small, and i agree, i don't like the flooring... though very nice al fresco dining area at those restaurants with balcony facing g4, quite superb.. i can see myself dining in that area...

^^ Am not really a fan of the new Glorietta 5. I was expecting more from the Ayalas considering that the location is so prime.

Hmmm, they'll probably redevelop G5 after the redevelopment of G1-G4 :lol:

^^ Am not really a fan of the new Glorietta 5. I was expecting more from the Ayalas considering that the location is so prime.

from my stand point...glorietta 5 may increase the property values of the condos along apartment ridge...

if i decide to sell..good for me.. :) but if i want to hold...mayor binay will get his pound of makati higher property tax...:ohno:

Quoted from:
http://www.asianjournal.com/balikbayan/real-estate/289-glorietta-redevelopment-under-way-.html (http://www.asianjournal.com/balikbayan/real-estate/289-glorietta-redevelopment-under-way-.html)

ALI president Jaime Ayala, in a emailed response to Philippine Daily Inquirer, said part of the process is to demolish the old Glorietta 1 and 2 sections of the mall complex as well as “Goldcrest”, the flea market area, to make way for “a brand new, mixed-use development that will consist of fresh flagship stores and updated concepts from the mall's existing Glorietta 1 and 2 merchants.”

----


from http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?ArticleId=432546&publicationSubCategoryId=86

What Glorietta has in store for you
Updated January 18, 2009 12:00 AM

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/8408/lif12ael4.jpg

Rediscover your local favorites from Glorietta 1 as they find a new home at the heart of the urban business and commercial Makati district in Glorietta 5! This premiere phase in the redevelopment of the Glorietta converges five levels of cutting-edge office spaces and three levels of retail and dining outlets, setting out to innovate and demonstrate comfort and utmost accessibility all in one mixed-use development.

Enjoy the variety of familiar gastronomic offerings in Glorietta 5 such as Chowking, Gerry’s Grill, Giligan’s Island, Mangan, Mongkok, North Park, Spaghetti Factory, The Soup Kitchen, Tokyo Tokyo, W Grill, and Yellow Cab Pizza.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/2025/lif12bts6.jpg

Jewelry and watch stops Alexis, Czarina’s, DG Alahas, Ding Velayo, Evie Costa, F&C Jewelry, Mercelles, Moissanite, Ocampo’s, Prima Gold, Secondo, Seiko, and Vanafi can be found in Glorietta 5 while specialty stores like Carolina’s, Fabric Warehouse, Kristine fabric shops, tailoring shops like Carriage Shop, Patrix Custom, and Vida Doria, Optical stores Rita Optical, Shades, The Optical Shop, and Magno Optical are now open as well.

Personal needs stores — from appliance to electronics shops like Abensons, Blims & Sogo, and Camerahaus to personal needs stores like National Bookstore, M.S. Somera, beauty stop Avon and Ricky Reyes Hair Salon — are all nestled conveniently in Glorietta 5.

Favored brands for fashion fiends such as Akita, Artwork, Bench, Bobby Novenario, Brandorama, Bread and Butter, Celine, Chesca, Classified, Confetti, Dresslab, Edgar Allan, Ensemble/Freeway/Solo, Folded & Hung, Skechers, GIBI, Infini Line, Itti, Otto, Jag, Janylin, Jose, K2, Kandy and Karen, Karimadon, Le Donne, Leaveland, Maldita, Manel’s, Marcella’s, Meg, Mendrez, Margay, Milani, Mocha, Mondi, Ohrelle, Plains and Prints, Prizms, Rusty Lopez, S.O. Fab, Terrie, Trevise Unica Hija, Via Venetto, and Wrangler also opened shop in this new retail haven.

http://img184.imageshack.us/img184/1598/lif12cya9.jpg

Ayala Malls shoppers are likewise in for a treat! With the extended Big Handover Sale, now you can enjoy great discounts at Glorietta 5’s newly opened participating establishments ongoing now!

As Ayala Malls remains steadfast in maintaining world-class facilities by providing opportunities for entrepreneurs, workers, and shoppers, while upholding sustainable development measures, the future of business and leisure converges at Glorietta 5!

reading through the list of shops in this G5 makes you realize na hindi pala to high end considering na katabi lang ng rustans. nung umuwi kami last year ginagawa pa lang ito and I thought high end sya dahil sobrang ganda ng location at alam mo naman na pag along ayala ave. you will always imagine the likes of the stores in 6750 and Rustans.

reading through the list of shops in this G5 makes you realize na hindi pala to high end considering na katabi lang ng rustans. nung umuwi kami last year ginagawa pa lang ito and I thought high end sya dahil sobrang ganda ng location at alam mo naman na pag along ayala ave. you will always imagine the likes of the stores in 6750 and Rustans.
if Rustans is so high end, how can the exterior paint look so dirty. look at the bridge to Essenses....dirty concrete ..the DEBENHAMS lighting does not work..(wake up maintenance) .thats what make Ayala Commercial makati so forgetable..because visually its very ordinary, name recall will be poor.

included pala sa ni-close na section ng Glorietta 1 yung food strip across it.. ginigiba na nila si Gerry's Grill hanggang North Park.. I'm wondering kung pati yung Max's hanggang W Grill eh gigibain din nila...

if Rustans is so high end, how can the exterior paint look so dirty. look at the bridge to Essenses....dirty concrete ..the DEBENHAMS lighting does not work..(wake up maintenance) .thats what make Ayala Commercial makati so forgetable..because visually its very ordinary, name recall will be poor.

^^ i quite agree, apmc is slacking a bit... but i disagree on the name recall point, ayala is already a mega-brand known by all... when you own ayala, the masa consensus would connotate that you are rich and successful. or if you work in the ayala-made makati cbd, again, it encourages the same idea of success and opulence...

reading through the list of shops in this G5 makes you realize na hindi pala to high end considering na katabi lang ng rustans. nung umuwi kami last year ginagawa pa lang ito and I thought high end sya dahil sobrang ganda ng location at alam mo naman na pag along ayala ave. you will always imagine the likes of the stores in 6750 and Rustans.

^^ oo nga, hindi siya high-end.. i was surprised as well... but possibly greenbelt caters to that section of the market instead... now since more commuters pass by the area of glorietta, g5 stores are suitable for the location...

included pala sa ni-close na section ng Glorietta 1 yung food strip across it.. ginigiba na nila si Gerry's Grill hanggang North Park.. I'm wondering kung pati yung Max's hanggang W Grill eh gigibain din nila...

Yes, I noticed too that demolition works have already begun on parts of that block of restaurants across Goldcrest. Interestingly, it was not too long ago (April 16th last year - I even posted my documentation of it on the "Fairmont-Raffles" thread) that my officemates and I celebrated our boss's birthday with dinner there while demolition works on Park Square 2 were in full swing.

Speaking of which, would anyone know if my personal presumption of Goldcrest's lease with Ayala expiring (or even already expired) true? With the entire Glorietta 1 wing vacated and all vehicular and pedestrian passageways around that area all closed off, Goldcrest is undoubtedly cut off; as a matter of fact, just a week or two ago, I have noticed that the shops and boutiques there are likewise all closed and their employees have begun packing away what's left of their merchandises. Any light shed on this matter - information to confirm my guess - would be very much appreciated.

well.. I think Goldcrest's leas must have expired already as it is now closed and there is no way for anyone to go there with the whole Glorietta 1 and 2 being closed to pedestrian traffic.

ayala is lving up rof sustainability sana yung ibang developers ganyan din...

ayala is lving up rof sustainability sana yung ibang developers ganyan din...

^^ What does that mean?

^^ ALI is promoting sustainability in their communities i.e. Nuvali...

sustainability: a lifestyle involving the use of sustainable methods such as double-piping in all homes and bldgs in Nuvali..

The Center that Throbs with Life
By Rowena C. Burgos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:57:00 03/08/2009

Filed Under: Retail, Lifestyle & Leisure
DESPITE the global uncertainty, Ayala Malls pursues the transformation of Glorietta 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Makati City into a world-class business and entertainment hub.

Ayala Center's redevelopment will include "the Glorietta malls and everything outside the malls," says Marivic Añonuevo, senior vice president, Ayala Malls Group and Ayala Land Businesscapes Group, Ayala Land Inc.

"Glorietta's redevelopment includes the mixed-use character of the place," says Meean Bautista-Dy, vice president, Strategic Landbank Management Group, Ayala Land Inc. "Mixed-use is a complete living experience. Work, live and play. Ideally, you can live and work there and also do your shopping, It's a sustainable way of living that you don't have to travel all that much."

One of their objectives, Dy says, is to make the 300,000 sq m-Ayala Center as "the most premiere in the country at par with other business and entertainment centers in the world. At the same time, we want people to see more office buildings and high-end hotels."

Ayala Center is bounded by Ayala Avenue, Edsa, Antonio Arnaiz Ave., Paseo de Roxas and Legaspi St. in Makati's central business district. The development originally started with the Glorietta malls and Greenbelt, before expanding itself to cover over 50 hectares of facilities. Today, the complex includes Ascott Makati, two parks, several cinemas (located within Glorietta and Greenbelt), a chapel and Ayala Museum showcasing significant exhibits on Philippine culture and history.

Other shopping malls in Ayala Center are The Landmark, Park Square 1 and 2, SM, Rustan's and 6750 Ayala Avenue. The major hotels are Hotel Intercontinental Manila, Dusit Thani, New World Renaissance Hotel and Shangri-La Makati.

Raffles International Hotel and Fairmont Hotel will soon rise as part of the Center's redevelopment.

Cutting-edge

According to Añonuevo, Glorietta 1 and 2 is a 15-year-old development. Glorietta 3 and 4, on the other hand, are the newer developments. "But the whole scheme of Ayala Malls’ redevelopment will have a very exciting, cutting-edge design," she says. "We encourage our tenants to follow such design. National Book Store, for example, will have to upgrade its merchandise."

A pedestrian highway through the mall is also on the drawing board. "The activity center is like a highway; it will not just be a convergence zone. To me, that's the distinctive feature of the Glorietta redevelopment," Añonuevo says.

"On what was perceived before as the back of Ayala Center, we are going to create a green boulevard from Makati Avenue to Edsa and from Ayala Avenue to Pasay Road. It will be a wider street to be lined with trees. The street will only be open to vehicles at certain times of the day," Añonuevo explains.

To make malling more fun, convenient, comfortable and entertaining, Ayala Center allocates a larger land area for open space and parks. "In these parks, people can relax while sitting on benches or jog and do yoga. Through the green street, we want to ensure that pedestrians will have a pleasant walking experience," Dy says.

More intersect ramps will be put up, Dy says, where vehicles go underground at the basement parking area as soon as they enter Ayala Center. "These will lessen vehicles on the road. All the parking areas will be connected so you can go inside from one intersect ramp to another mall."

But, Añonuevo assures the public that such improvements "will not create a concrete jungle."

The Center's redevelopment will be completed in 2012.

Philosophy

Ayala Malls’ philosophy has always been "to be ahead of the curve. Dynamism and innovation should be our mode of work," Añonuevo says.

For Dy, Ayala Center plays a significant role in making Makati a prime city. "Ayala Center is like a keystone that makes the city unique. Part of our vision is to ensure it continues to play that role."

It is also Ayala Center's plan to "get more out of the land. That's why our plan involves a lot of densification. You've seen malls. Soon, you will see buildings on top of these malls," Dy says. "For the same amount of land area, you're actually increasing the amount of revenue or leasing income. We started with Ascott, which is on top of Oakwood."

Glorietta, on the other hand, will have a rooftop park similar to Ayala Center's Trinoma in Quezon City.

For Ayala Center, the challenge lies in having the redevelopment in phases while business operations are ongoing in other sections. "But once it's completed, people don't have to go to other places. With Greenbelt and Glorietta alone, we already serve a broad range of market," Dy says. "The highlight of this ongoing project is how Ayala Land makes use of the land in a responsible way, with respect for the people who will ultimately be experiencing this redevelopment."

Meanwhile, Añonuevo hopes that with the continuous innovation and improvements Ayala Center is undertaking, "people won't get bored with our offerings. We'd like to think that through our products, we're giving back to the community."

^^
love the
article!
it is
exciting!

:banana:


http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/lexreyes/glorietta_development_1.jpg

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y110/lexreyes/glorietta_development_2.jpg

^^ Are there any other renders of these updated concepts of Ayala?

^^ Very exciting ang project na ito especially after reading the article below!!! :banana: :banana: :banana:

The Center that Throbs with Life
By Rowena C. Burgos
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:57:00 03/08/2009

Filed Under: Retail, Lifestyle & Leisure
DESPITE the global uncertainty, Ayala Malls pursues the transformation of Glorietta 1, 2, 3 and 4 in Makati City into a world-class business and entertainment hub.

Ayala Center's redevelopment will include "the Glorietta malls and everything outside the malls," says Marivic Añonuevo, senior vice president, Ayala Malls Group and Ayala Land Businesscapes Group, Ayala Land Inc.

"Glorietta's redevelopment includes the mixed-use character of the place," says Meean Bautista-Dy, vice president, Strategic Landbank Management Group, Ayala Land Inc. "Mixed-use is a complete living experience. Work, live and play. Ideally, you can live and work there and also do your shopping, It's a sustainable way of living that you don't have to travel all that much."

One of their objectives, Dy says, is to make the 300,000 sq m-Ayala Center as "the most premiere in the country at par with other business and entertainment centers in the world. At the same time, we want people to see more office buildings and high-end hotels."

Ayala Center is bounded by Ayala Avenue, Edsa, Antonio Arnaiz Ave., Paseo de Roxas and Legaspi St. in Makati's central business district. The development originally started with the Glorietta malls and Greenbelt, before expanding itself to cover over 50 hectares of facilities. Today, the complex includes Ascott Makati, two parks, several cinemas (located within Glorietta and Greenbelt), a chapel and Ayala Museum showcasing significant exhibits on Philippine culture and history.

Other shopping malls in Ayala Center are The Landmark, Park Square 1 and 2, SM, Rustan's and 6750 Ayala Avenue. The major hotels are Hotel Intercontinental Manila, Dusit Thani, New World Renaissance Hotel and Shangri-La Makati.

Raffles International Hotel and Fairmont Hotel will soon rise as part of the Center's redevelopment.

Cutting-edge

According to Añonuevo, Glorietta 1 and 2 is a 15-year-old development. Glorietta 3 and 4, on the other hand, are the newer developments. "But the whole scheme of Ayala Malls’ redevelopment will have a very exciting, cutting-edge design," she says. "We encourage our tenants to follow such design. National Book Store, for example, will have to upgrade its merchandise."

A pedestrian highway through the mall is also on the drawing board. "The activity center is like a highway; it will not just be a convergence zone. To me, that's the distinctive feature of the Glorietta redevelopment," Añonuevo says.

"On what was perceived before as the back of Ayala Center, we are going to create a green boulevard from Makati Avenue to Edsa and from Ayala Avenue to Pasay Road. It will be a wider street to be lined with trees. The street will only be open to vehicles at certain times of the day," Añonuevo explains.

To make malling more fun, convenient, comfortable and entertaining, Ayala Center allocates a larger land area for open space and parks. "In these parks, people can relax while sitting on benches or jog and do yoga. Through the green street, we want to ensure that pedestrians will have a pleasant walking experience," Dy says.

More intersect ramps will be put up, Dy says, where vehicles go underground at the basement parking area as soon as they enter Ayala Center. "These will lessen vehicles on the road. All the parking areas will be connected so you can go inside from one intersect ramp to another mall."

But, Añonuevo assures the public that such improvements "will not create a concrete jungle."

The Center's redevelopment will be completed in 2012.

Philosophy

Ayala Malls’ philosophy has always been "to be ahead of the curve. Dynamism and innovation should be our mode of work," Añonuevo says.

For Dy, Ayala Center plays a significant role in making Makati a prime city. "Ayala Center is like a keystone that makes the city unique. Part of our vision is to ensure it continues to play that role."

It is also Ayala Center's plan to "get more out of the land. That's why our plan involves a lot of densification. You've seen malls. Soon, you will see buildings on top of these malls," Dy says. "For the same amount of land area, you're actually increasing the amount of revenue or leasing income. We started with Ascott, which is on top of Oakwood."

Glorietta, on the other hand, will have a rooftop park similar to Ayala Center's Trinoma in Quezon City.

For Ayala Center, the challenge lies in having the redevelopment in phases while business operations are ongoing in other sections. "But once it's completed, people don't have to go to other places. With Greenbelt and Glorietta alone, we already serve a broad range of market," Dy says. "The highlight of this ongoing project is how Ayala Land makes use of the land in a responsible way, with respect for the people who will ultimately be experiencing this redevelopment."

Meanwhile, Añonuevo hopes that with the continuous innovation and improvements Ayala Center is undertaking, "people won't get bored with our offerings. We'd like to think that through our products, we're giving back to the community."

How to stay strong at 175 years? Ask Ayalas (http://http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/business/03/08/09/how-stay-strong-175-years-ask-ayalas)
By Honey Madrilejos-Reyes, BusinessMirror | 03/09/2009 12:26 AM

For a company that has witnessed revolutions, regime change and economic challenges, some might say the prevailing global financial turmoil is just a challenge Ayala Corp. can easily breeze through.

But brothers Jaime Augusto and Fernando Zobel de Ayala, chairman and president, respectively, of the 175-year-old conglomerate, both acknowledge the fact that times are now difficult, though good opportunities are still reachable.

This being the case, Ayala, a holding firm with interests in telecommunications, banking, real-estate development, electronics manufacturing, business-process outsourcing and water concession, among others, took a step and recently announced changes in its units’ managements—a move the brothers described as attuned to the current business climate.

“We really have a tradition of readjusting with the environment. These [movements] are not really that unusual. The last thing we want to see is for people feeling some sense of instability in what we are doing. The change should not be taken negatively,” said the company chairman.

Fernando, for his part, highlighted the corporation’s good fortune in having a deep bench in management.

“We are faced with very, very intense competition. And we saw an opportunity to move some people around. The change that we have implemented drew positive reactions from our partners and the investing community,” he said.

The confidence the Ayala leaders have in their management team is tantamount to the faith they have in their balance sheets. Fernando said the never-ending task of the conglomerate is to make sure each and every company has a strong financial position to get through any type of crisis.

And who says crisis limits opportunities? Certainly, not the Zobel brothers.

“We always believe that good opportunities have taken place during down cycles. The global situation is very serious but we keep the business strong in a crisis. We are in the lookout for interesting opportunities. Next year or so, we’ll see interesting things to happen,” said Fernando, who also chairs Ayala Land.

What’s in store

Ayala Corp. reported an unaudited consolidated net income of P8.1 billion for 2008, 50 percent lower than what it made the year before, as equity earnings from its operating units dropped to P7.8 billion and capital gains from share sales declined 63 percent.

Units Ayala Land, Bank of the Philippine Islands (BPI), Globe Telecom and Manila Water all posted positive results. However, the uncertainties spawned by the global financial crisis as well as some nonrecurring items weighed on the holding firm’s earnings.

Still, Ayala realized capital gains of P2.7 billion in 2008. The year before, it booked a record P7.3 billion in gains as it took advantage of higher asset prices to realize values from some of its long-held investments. These value-realization efforts, combined with several fundraising initiatives in 2008, allowed Ayala to raise its cash to P25 billion by year-end. This would position the company well for potential acquisition opportunities amid deflating asset prices.

“While the operating environment is and will continue to be challenging, these distressed conditions also present opportunities. We continue to explore these and have ensured sufficient liquidity across the group to pursue any compelling opportunity on top of our committed growth targets in the short to medium term,” said Fernando.

Jaime Augusto describes 2009 as unpredictable.

“There are so many opinions out there and it is very hard to see which one is correct,” he said.

Fernando added, “These are the toughest times to prepare budgets. You are trying to get as good a picture as you can, but you just don’t know how deep the impact is on the country. But our group’s strong focus will be on cost efficiency and balance sheet strength. We will be more selective and reprioritize what is absolutely necessary or what has the strongest potential this year. But you will still see expansion and see a large number of capex [capital expenditure] for the group.”

Solid history

The oldest holding firm in Philippine business celebrates 175 years with a level of respect and trust few others in the country have received.

As the pioneering business house in real estate, banking, telecommunications, water distribution and electronics manufacturing, Ayala has performed a crucial role in helping the Philippine economy achieve a degree of strength comparable with those of the biggest markets in the region.

Since its inception, Ayala has continuously emphasized the value of stability, financial strength and prudence, product and service quality, and professionalism in its business mission and activities. These qualities made it the local partner of choice of international companies, and a premium brand that attracts the best and brightest talents to its ranks.

Officials also tout an unwavering dedication to social development and corporate social responsibility as one that also turned Ayala into a strong partner of entrepreneurs and communities in promoting their growth.

The seeds of Ayala’s achievements were planted on fertile ground of sound business principles cultivated and nourished since 1834.

Ayala traces its roots to Casa Roxas, a business house established in Manila in 1834 by Domingo Roxas and Antonio de Ayala. The company initially focused on agriculture and trading, but it eventually expanded to manufacturing and other industries and services, such as the Destileria y Licoreria de Ayala y Compañia, a distillery with modest beginnings that, in times, supported and gave added value to Philippine sugar.

In 1851, one of Roxas’s heirs bought Hacienda Makati, a tract of farmland in the outskirts of Manila that would be the site decades later of Ayala’s landmark development in real estate. In the 1920s, Ayala launched residential subdivisions in the area; and in the 1930s, it developed more subdivisions in Manila and other parts of Makati.

Ayala’s involvement in banking likewise started in 1851, when a Spanish royal decree created El Banco Español-Filipino de Isabel II, the first bank in Southeast Asia, with Antonio de Ayala as a director. Over half a century later, in 1912, Banco Español-Filipino was renamed Bank of the Philippine Islands. BPI would later break new ground by introducing certain innovations, including electronic and Internet banking in the Philippines.

In 1888, a member of the Ayala clan introduced a street-car system in Manila through Compañia de los Tranvias de Filipinas. In 1900, this company ceded its rights over the streetcar system to Manila Electric, Rail and Light Co. or Meralco—today the biggest power distributor.

By 1900, Ayala’s holdings had grown to encompass other sectors. In 1910, Ayala established the first Filipino life-insurance firm, Insular Life Assurance Co. In 1933, it also established Filipinas Life Assurance Company—now named Ayala Life Assurance Inc.
Many of Ayala’s groundbreaking enterprises remain today as leaders in their respective fields.

The later 20th century saw diverse and profound changes in the Philippine economy, and Ayala responded to them wisely—pioneering steps in real-estate development in 1948, banking in 1970, telecommunications in 1974, electronics manufacturing in 1980, and water distribution in 1997.

In 1948, Ayala unveiled a 25-year urban development program for what remained of Hacienda Makati. This master plan envisioned creating areas that complemented and enhanced each other’s value. Within that 25-year period, Makati emerged as the new financial, business, and commercial center of the country, with residential communities that set the standard for property development in the country.

In 1969, when tourism started to show great potential, Ayala opened Hotel InterContinental Manila, the first five-star hotel in Makati. Later, with its Makati development program still in the early stages, Ayala entered into a joint-venture agreement with the Madrigal family to develop Alabang. Decades later, this area would give rise to a new premier residential and business district.

To pursue plans for further diversification, the Ayala y Cia partnership was dissolved in 1968 and replaced with the corporate vehicle Ayala Corp.

Foreign investment became a focal point for national development, and in 1973, Ayala welcomed several Mitsubishi companies, led by Mitsubishi Corp. as investors, signing a business collaboration agreement to explore new investment opportunities in the Philippines. This partnership was instrumental in creating the country’s leading industrial park and other ventures in automotive manufacturing, information technology and water infrastructure.

Meanwhile, other Ayala enterprises continued to grow. BPI acquired People’s Bank and Trust Co. in 1974, followed by several other acquisition and merger programs which enabled BPI to become a banking icon in the Philippines.

Twenty-nine years ago, Ayala established Integrated Microelectronics Inc. (IMI) to engage in the manufacture and export of electronics. With its steady growth through the years, IMI is now a regional manufacturing player offering a wide variety of products and services to some of the best-known global original electronic manufacturers.

BPI, in 1982, pioneered ATM banking in the country. From then, it would continue introducing novel and cutting-edge alternative delivery systems to customers, including Internet banking and phone banking.

The role of state-of-the-art technology in Ayala’s ventures grew significantly in 1993, when Ayala entered modern telecommunications. Out of Globe-Mackay Cable and Radio, Ayala created Globe Telecom Inc. in partnership with Singapore Telecom that introduced the GSM system for mobile communications in the Philippines.

Ayala Land, meanwhile, started to focus on a nontraditional market—the midrange property segment—by creating Laguna Property Holdings Inc. This diversification would later bring the Ayala property brand to various emerging markets around the Philippines.

In subsequent years, major new opportunities surfaced which Ayala successfully capitalized on. In the 1990s, Ayala invested in assembly operations and a dealership of Honda and Isuzu motor vehicles. It also became a catalyst for Internet and wireless-technology use in the Philippines, with investments in e-commerce web sites, an e-procurement portal and Asia’s first free e-mail service provider.

The conglomerate also participated in the government’s infrastructure privatization program and won the landmark auction of one of Metro Manila’s water-distribution services in 1997. For this unprecedented entrepreneurial venture, Ayala, in partnership with United Utilities, Bechtel and Mitsubishi Corp., formed Manila Water Co. The company focused on operational efficiencies and eventually became a model for the government’s privatization program.

Furthermore, Ayala joined the consortium that built the 18-kilometer Metro Rail Transit system, which began serving the public in Metro Manila in 1999.

At that time, too, Ayala started working with the University of the Philippines (UP) to establish an experimental facility in technology development and technology-based entrepreneurship. And in 2008 UP–Ayala Land TechnoHub in the UP Diliman campus was launched. The facility promotes interaction among members of the industry, the academe and the investing community to harness technology initiatives, attract technology startups and establish technology-based enterprises.

By responding proactively to changing business environments, Ayala has proved that large and established institutions can succeed in business and thereby contribute to national growth. It has generated investment opportunities in a manner unmatched in the Philippine capital market. Today, the Ayala group accounts for five of the 30 companies that constitute the main index of the Philippine Stock Exchange, namely, Ayala Corp., Ayala Land, BPI, Globe Telecom and Manila Water.

At the start of the new century, Jaime Zobel de Ayala and sons Jaime Augusto and Fernando noted that the group’s success could not be measured in terms only of the bottom lines, but also in the group’s ability to sustain performance in the long term.

Ayala determined which distinctive capabilities enabled it to create value above and beyond those in its publicly listed subsidiaries. The result was a realization that besides long-term sustainability, the fundamental Ayala value was a large measure of trust.

“We found that our name means quality and trust,” the Ayala leaders said. “It gives us a premium and brings many new opportunities to our door.”

This uncommon level of trust in Ayala is a product of its record and reputation for stability, financial prudence and product quality—and Ayala continues to build on these foundations.

On the basis of trust, Ayala’s partners have contributed additional capital, technologies and networks, allowing Ayala to access new markets and introduce more products and services at world-class standards. Also on the basis of trust, Ayala continues to attract outstanding talent to its work force. It takes pride in having the best people, group-wide, for its diversified interests.

There goes its history. But its story moves on.

Complete the redevelopment in 2012 that's a bit too near ...

^^ Ayala has a good track record anyway in these types of redevelopment. Hopefully they meet the target without sacrificing the quality.

yes with land developments. but with condo finishes, i don't know. montgomery place in e.rod had bad finishes. materials are too cheap and too many shortcuts. serendra a lot of people are complaining as well. i'm crossing my fingers on residences at greenbelt...hehe. but yes, the value of their developments do hold value

yes with land developments. but with condo finishes, i don't know. montgomery place in e.rod had bad finishes. materials are too cheap and too many shortcuts. serendra a lot of people are complaining as well. i'm crossing my fingers on residences at greenbelt...hehe. but yes, the value of their developments do hold value

^^ Yeah, I somehow agree. The condo developments are wanting in so many aspects. Even The Residences have some complaints on their finishing inside the units.

^^
love the
article!
it is
exciting!

:banana:

could this be our version of bangkok's Centralworld ? :cheers:

does anyone here have feedbacks regarding the quality of finishes at one roxas triangle?

Complete the redevelopment in 2012 that's a bit too near ...

Seems like it. Wouldn't it be faster if is was a totally new structure made from scratch? If so, then 2012 would be a bit too early, especially when it is labeled as the 'date of completion' and not the 'date of completion of the initial phase'.

^^ yeah, 2012 is quite near and realistically not achievable for full development. it could be for the first phase of the project.

does anyone here have feedbacks regarding the quality of finishes at one roxas triangle?

it would be interesting to know. why did you ask this? but since it has one of the most expensive external cladding of granite and glass, i assume the same thing was done with the interiors.

"On what was perceived before as the back of Ayala Center, we are going to create a green boulevard from Makati Avenue to Edsa and from Ayala Avenue to Pasay Road. It will be a wider street to be lined with trees. The street will only be open to vehicles at certain times of the day," Añonuevo explains.

Can anyone explain how this will turn out?:?:?:?

it would be interesting to know. why did you ask this? but since it has one of the most expensive external cladding of granite and glass, i assume the same thing was done with the interiors.

i have seen the interiors of that building during one of my college field trips. one could definitely tell it was expensive. the elevator inside the atrium was just magnificent. very modern yet classy and sophisticated.

Greetings, Metro Manila SkyscraperCity forumers.

In this, my nowadays rare posting of images - let alone venture into the under-redevelopment area of Ayala Center - I post visual proof of Goldcrest - the last structure that once comprised the original "Makati Commercial Center" of the 70s - finally succumbing to redevelopment of Glorietta 1 and 2. It's really sad to see old structures go, BUT - progress is progress....

February 25, 2009
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3631/3325051349_a0a69a583d_o.jpg

March 8, 2009
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3637/3340801831_56a48896df_o.jpg
The bridgeway connecting Glorietta 1 with this restaurant block is also being dismantled. One part of this restaurant block (Max's, Gilligans, and W Bar & Grill) remains, but the other part (North Park and Gerry's Grill) is now gone.

March 18, 2009
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3602/3368118534_529b472a19_o.jpg
Probably my last shot of part of Goldcrest still existing (most likely to be COMPLETELY gone by next week or earlier!). It's not too visible from this POV (no thanks to my not-so-good-quality cellphone camera) but: surprisingly, a few of the lower ground boutiques' signboards remain (although they will most likely be destroyed too, along with the last of the old building's superstructural elements).

Although it's overall a SAD sight (sorry if I made some of you cry), I hope you all enjoy my shots; venturing into this part of Ayala Center and snapping them was an ADVENTURE on my part: mainly avoiding being seen by the restaurants' staff and ESPECIALLY the security guards constantly patrolling the area - it's not all the time I will get to do this....

does anyone here have feedbacks regarding the quality of finishes at one roxas triangle?

^^ i will post the interior finishing of ORT once i got it. as opulent as all aspect of ORT is, imho, ayala may no longer do a project like this since the materials used here is expensive though it was quite affordable in the 90's. ORT, however, is their crowning glory for the asian financial crisis. they lost money building it, but they still finished the bldg on time.

i agree, 2012 maybe is too early for the completion of the redevelopment. if you can imagine the renders sinjin posted, i also feel that it would be too rushed to do in 3-4 yrs time.

the exterior green lime paint of SM seen from Dusit and from the old National Bookstore is so grimy and dirty. does not ayala management have the right to enforce upgrading the standard. same with the even dirtier concrete wall between rustan and essenses. thats what happens when you are too stingy to install cladding and go for paint...hard to accept such mediocrity.

front page picture in todays Manila Standard has Greenbelt 5 roof planted in grass for conservation and environmental purposes..looks better also compared with the traditional rusty look of corrugated metal roofs. If Glorietta 5 was just recently done, why wasnt it replicated?

Ayalas turn to middle, lower-end markets

PROPERTY GIANT Ayala Land, Inc. will report lower profits this quarter but expects sales to remain strong with a shift in focus from the high-end to the middle and "affordable" markets in response to the economic slow-down.

"The first quarter this year will be lower compared to [the same period last year]. It will be difficult to match [the first quarter of 2008] because of [a] one-time transaction," Ayala Land chief finance officer Jaime E. Ysmael said, referring to the sale of lots on Valero Street in Makati.

Ayala Land’s profits for the first half of 2008 surged by 42% to P1.83 billion due to the sale of three subsidiaries — Piedmont Property Ventures, Inc., Stonehaven Land, Inc., and Streamwood Property, Inc. — to Andrew Tan-led Megaworld Corp. for P762 million. The three subsidiaries jointly operate a public parking facility on Valero Street.

Unlike the high-end market where cancellations are rising, the middle and "affordable" housing markets are holding up, according to Ayala Land executives. — JONATHAN CELLONA

This was higher than the P332 million in gains from the sale of shares in Makati Property Ventures that Ayala Land had reported in the first quarter of 2007.

Jaime I. Ayala, outgoing president of Ayala Land, said the company would now focus on the middle and affordable markets, which continue to remain "resilient," unlike the high-end segment where the property developer is experiencing a higher number of cancellations.

"The residential segment has felt the global slowdown. Investors are hit by the uncertainty and are choosing to wait and see. The affordable and middle [markets] are holding up and we are shifting our focus [to] these two segments," he said.

Ayala Land markets "affordable" homes through Avida Land, which has projects in Makati, New Manila in Quezon City, the former San Lazaro racetrack in Manila, Sucat in Parañaque, Cavite, and San Fernando in Pampanga.

The company sells to the middle market through Alveo Land, whose projects include the Columns in Makati, Verdana Homes in Cavite, The Aston at Two Serendra in Fort Bonifacio, Celadon Park and Celadon Residences in Manila, and Marquee Place in Pampanga.

Ayala Land’s most exclusive projects are sold under the Ayala Land Premier brand. Projects include Serendra in Fort Bonifacio, The Residences at Greenbelt in Makati, Ayala Greenfield Estates in Laguna, Ayala Westgrove Heights in Cavite, Anvaya Cove in Bataan, Ayala North Point in Bacolod, Amara in Cebu, and Alegria Hills in Cagayan de Oro.

Analysts have said the high-end market would likely be hit by the crisis since buyers are mostly those who are just investing in property, unlike the middle and low-end markets whose main targets are "end-users."

Despite earning lower profits during the second half of 2008, Ayala Land’s full-year net income still went up by a tenth to P4.8 billion.

Ayala Land has set aside P17.4 billion for expenditures this year, majority of which will go to residential projects.

"We have a healthy cash position although we might make some minor cash borrowing which will be done locally," Mr. Ayala said.

Only 12% of the budget will go to the office sector, lower than the budget allocated to such projects last year.

Ayala Land mall group head, Ma. Victoria E. Añonuevo, said the company was in "precautionary mode" with the construction of office spaces, pointing out that most construction had been completed.

Nevertheless, there is still growth in the office sector as evidenced by new companies which continue to be on the lookout for office spaces, Ms. Añonuevo said. Some big locators, she added, are even increasing their rented spaces.

Ms. Añonuevo also said the retail sector remains strong, with the company set to spend about P7 billion for the redevelopment of the Glorietta 1 and Glorietta 2 malls where Ayala Land plans to put up office spaces and a hotel.

Ms. Añonuevo said the company expects to launch the Glorietta upgrade by the end of the year and complete it two to three years from now.

ALI bares P7.2 billion Glorietta redevelopment (http://mb.com.ph/articles/201073/ali-bares-p72billion-glorietta-redevelopment)
April 1, 2009, 7:18pm
Manila Bulletin (http://mb.com.ph/articles/201073/ali-bares-p72billion-glorietta-redevelopment)

Real estate giant Ayala Land Inc. will spend P7.2 billion for the redevelopment of its Glorietta commercial center in Makati to include the construction of additional office space and one four-star businessman's hotel.

At the sidelines of the firm’s annual stockholders meeting yesterday, ALI officials said the company is embarking on a “significant development” on its strategic landbank to prepare for the market's eventual resurgence.

“(There are) a lot of planning put in place... (to ride on) the resurgence of the market in time,” said in-coming ALI president Antonio Aquino.

ALI has allocated P2.96 billion as capital expenditures on its strategic landbank management for this year, slightly higher compared to the P2.84 billion capex spent in 2008.

Of the amount, a portion would be spent for the initial groundwork to prepare the sites in the Ayala Avenue quadrant for development.

ALI mall group head Ma. Victorian Anonuevo said the clearing and excavation of site has been scheduled but the actual launch of the project is slated sometime towards the end of the year.

She said that, by 2011, a new facade in Glorietta 1 and Glorietta 2 will be unveiled adding that ALI is still in talks with an international hotel brand that will operate the hotel that will be open in October 2012. The hotel development is seen to cost P2.5 billion.

Ayala Land meanwhile is “pleasantly surprised” with the company's performance for the first quarter as sales appear to be “tracking” last year's and holding off the drag of a slowing economy.

While experiencing a drag, the middle income and affordable sector is supporting the resiliency for the whole.

The over-all income, however, will be lower compared to the previous year due to the lack of one-time gains this year compared to those booked in 2008 from the sale of assets.

The firm said cancellations had experienced “an increase, particularly in the high-end market.”

“What we are seeing is that the residential sector has been affected by the global crisis. A lot of people had been affected by the uncertainty in the market. We are now focusing on how people should buy... so we are seeing an increase in sales in affordable product. We are still positive. We see a little bit of flight to quality,” said outgoing ALI president Jaime Ayala.

"The first quarter this year will be lower compared to [the same period last year]. It will be difficult to match [the first quarter of 2008] because of [a] one-time transaction," Ayala Land chief finance officer Jaime E. Ysmael said, referring to the sale of lots on Valero Street in Makati.

Ayala Land’s profits for the first half of 2008 surged by 42% to P1.83 billion due to the sale of three subsidiaries — Piedmont Property Ventures, Inc., Stonehaven Land, Inc., and Streamwood Property, Inc. — to Andrew Tan-led Megaworld Corp. for P762 million. The three subsidiaries jointly operate a public parking facility on Valero Street.


i don't get this until now. why would they sell prime real estate properties? and number 2, why would they sell it to a competitor on the rise? weird. they don't need the money.

^^ well, there must be a bargain we don't know of. or they would just like to share, since they cannot do it alone... megaworld can help them redefine makati along with the other players in the industry...

Baka kulang sa pondo ang ALI since they encountered a lot of buyers cancellation on their purchase of ayala condos, this is according to a report sa phil star

why would u let a competitor make a ton of money if you can do it yourself in the future? it just doesn't add up. i'm sure there's a logical explanation(i hope) but we do not know it.

^^ well, there must be a bargain we don't know of. or they would just like to share, since they cannot do it alone... megaworld can help them redefine makati along with the other players in the industry...

I don't think that's such a good idea considering what Megaworld did to Eastwood's condo buyers, plus the lot buyers of White Plains Terraces... Hindi sila reliable and consistent

I don't think that's such a good idea considering what Megaworld did to Eastwood's condo buyers, plus the lot buyers of White Plains Terraces... Hindi sila reliable and consistent

sorry OT, just have to comment on this.

why always bash megaworld? :ohno: is it because it's not part of what you sell? eastwood turned out just fine especially the newer turned over projects like one central park. bellagio is turning out good.

maybe start selling MW projects so you would stop bashing their projects. :lol:

Superboy, you have a point. We need not discredit MW about anything. Yes, they may have projects that are far from stellar and questionable quality. But they're starting to launch and build really high calibre projects like the Bellagios, and hopefully One and Two Central.

di naman siguro masama finish ng megaworld. its just the case of if you pay peanuts, u get peanuts. the price diff of ayala and megaworld projects are deep. obviously you'd expect a diff in quality as well. there's no such thing as a bargain or a free lunch.

Superboy, you have a point. We need not discredit MW about anything. Yes, they may have projects that are far from stellar and questionable quality. But they're starting to launch and build really high calibre projects like the Bellagios, and hopefully One and Two Central.

true, PhMan. i just have to comment on this since Terman always has bad words for MW. ok lang sana if he's not a broker trying to sell projects of competing companies. its just being done on a bad taste.


di naman siguro masama finish ng megaworld. its just the case of if you pay peanuts, u get peanuts. the price diff of ayala and megaworld projects are deep. obviously you'd expect a diff in quality as well. there's no such thing as a bargain or a free lunch.

very well said, pat3ck! IMHO, for their price range, some projects of MW is already well done. early projects of eastwood might have some problems BUT it started selling at a really affordable price! newer procjects like one central park has better finish! their slightly more expensive projects like the bellagios 1-3 are turning out just fine. yet if you have to compare the price /sqm of bellagios or even 8 forbestown to ayala's serendra... malaki pa rin ang price difference!