Philstar yesterday, Business Section:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/thomasian/101_0004x.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/thomasian/Century-Picar.gif

Century and Picar, separated?

Now who said break-ups are a bad thing? Sometimes, break-ups happen for good! A 50-storey hotel and a 50-storey condo aint bad! http://pinoypride.yehey.com/forums/images/smilies/2thumbsup.gif

^^Aaron, Century City ito :)

Ahhh...hiniwalay mo lang yung Picar Center :)

actually it's already a separate project since it's officialy announced as distinct from century city! Anyway let's see what they're up to.

Ahhh...hiniwalay mo lang yung Picar Center :)

Yup. It seems like Picar wants to separate itself from all the issues surrounding Century City.

actually it's already a separate project since it's officialy announced as distinct from century city! Anyway let's see what they're up to.

Separate entity, yes. But they'd still be using the Jerde masterplan for this Picar Centre.

So it's almost like one big development, but not really, because there's two distinct developments, each doing the marketing of their share separately, from different owners and developers, with their respective components, but unified together by a single masterplan, and adjacent locations. Quite complicated, huh? :nuts: Basta, bahala na si Batman! :D

Hmmm....hinde kaya magkagulo sila with Century? Matanong nga kay Jigger... :)

kahit ano pa sabihin nila, siguradong ta-traffic ng husto ang kalayaan :lol:

the poor residents of bel-air 2 :ohno:

^^Kahit saan naman sa Makati traffic e...kaya matatalo na sila ng BGC someday. :)

^^ Kawawa din ang Rockwell which will be used as alternate/spill-over route for those caught in the traffic mess. :ohno: :ohno: :ohno:

ummm, kaya pala sa latest rendering of Gramercy, ala na yung hotel. that explains why.

now that answers the question sa pagkawala ng hotel sa new renderings ng century city. by the way, yung nakausap kong agent, sabi 88 floors daw ang gramercy. pang 55th floor na raw binibenta nila.

^^ 88 Makes sense, it’s considered a lucky number.

Yup. It seems like Picar wants to separate itself from all the issues surrounding Century City.

----------------------------

Separate entity, yes. But they'd still be using the Jerde masterplan for this Picar Centre.

So it's almost like one big development, but not really, because there's two distinct developments, each doing the marketing of their share separately, from different owners and developers, with their respective components, but unified together by a single masterplan, and adjacent locations. Quite complicated, huh? :nuts: Basta, bahala na si Batman! :D

Latest renderings...

In daylight without the hotel (lower left corner):

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Gramercy/gramercynew07small.jpg

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Gramercy/gramercynew03small.jpg

At night without the hotel (lower left corner):

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Gramercy/gramercynew01small.jpg

^^ This would explain why the hotel was taken out of the renderings for "Century City"...

Philstar yesterday, Business Section:


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/thomasian/Century-Picar.gif

Now who said break-ups are a bad thing? Sometimes, break-ups happen for good! A 50-storey hotel and a 50-storey condo aint bad! http://pinoypride.yehey.com/forums/images/smilies/2thumbsup.gif

These are just my thoughts:

Before Century City was formally launched, the AMA Group through Picar Holdings had already issued a few press releases on its own regarding the 5-star hotel. It was an unusual tack but it was rather clear from the start that Picar was the one handling the hotel development independently from its jv partner, Century Properties. To recall, Picar and Century formed a jv company named Century City Development Corporation to bid for the property.

Just recently when the HLURB issue came out in the papers, Picar tried to distance itself from its jv partner, Century Properties. Many of you (including myself) noticed that Picar's reply to HLURB seemed not one to come from a good jv partner. Bahala ka sa buhay mo kung baga sabi ni Picar.

And then after that I got hold of the latest Century City renderings (which I posted here) without the hotel section on the lower left portion of the Century City.

With all of the above, I guess I was not surprised by this Picar/Century Properties announcement. Was this the intention from the start? Maybe or maybe not. If yes, probably this only accelerated when both sides felt that they'd much rather do this project semi-independently from each other. I say semi- because the announcement did not say that the jv company Century City Development Corporation will be dissolved.

Finally, if true, I am glad that Picar will still consult with Jerde on the designs of the hotel and residential condo. At least these structures will not stick out like a sore thumb beside Century City. We will just have to wait for the release of the renderings to be sure.

P.S. Per previous information disseminated, those 3 BPO towers at the back are all 50 stories tall.

Picar does not have the track record and real estate experience that Century City has. I look at Greenfield and see the wisdom of linking with an expert in Ayala and FBDC to gain experience in the business.

As such, I do not trust that Picar has the experience to do a credible job of building two world class buildings then running a hotel and serviced apartments. Of course, they can always prove me wrong.

Picar may not have the credibility in building such project, but the article says "Picar, together with it's foreign partners...", so maybe they'll announce their partners soon once they've ironed out the plans.

Sya nga pala, I wonder what Picar's parent company, the AMA Group, is planning to do with their on-hold AMA Tower along EDSA, near Ortigas.

Concerning the future traffic problem in this area, is it possible to do any road widening? Or something to improve the traffic flow/infrastructure, perhaps an overpass? Haha, I dunno. It's a pity MM's roads are so narrow...

Wala nang road widening diyan, anyway kasalanan na ng belair 2 kung ma traffic sila, they're anti development so you can't improve the place.

AMA well not a great company, diploma mill education so expect the same from their projects, good for century they are not together IMO.

Can not recall now but what does their side look like then.

^^ Sayang the road could at least be widened for the expected increase of traffic in the future.

Philstar yesterday, Business Section:
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/thomasian/101_0004x.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/thomasian/Century-Picar.gif

Century and Picar, separated?

Now who said break-ups are a bad thing? Sometimes, break-ups happen for good! A 50-storey hotel and a 50-storey condo aint bad! http://pinoypride.yehey.com/forums/images/smilies/2thumbsup.gif

Talagang Pilipino! Hindi pa rin naaalis ang talangka 'mentality' sa mga kababayan natin . . . tsk tsk

^^ i think this is a bad move for picar. they should have sticked with the marketing of century city.. great marketing btw, kudos to those guys. and besides, picar is relatively unknown compared to century prop.. taking note of picar's bad press.. really... a bad decision..

^^Kahit saan naman sa Makati traffic e...kaya matatalo na sila ng BGC someday. :)

Hindi rin, coz hindi rin naman ganun ka-wide ang roads sa BGC .

^^correct.. bgc will suffer tremendous congestion problems if not addressed now..

BGC should address the problem of traffic congestion today. Hundreds of building are being constructed in the upcoming CBD and I see choke points already in Gate 3 and Mckinley. Sobrang traffic especially with the Christmas season.

Northrail MRT link should be built now to address this. Haayyy. Sorry off topic. Yes Picar and Century together with Binay local government should think of ways to address the traffic or else, it will just worsen the existing traffic in Makati.

I like what Rockwell did to address the traffic. They constructed wide roads and built the flyover. Same with BGC. They should invest in infrastructure to make entry and exit to Century City easy.

why didn't the urban engineers of the taguig government or even the bcda thought of addressing flyovers in the first place? imo, a lack of foreseeing 20 years ahead would congest fbgc. infrastructures like these are also great investments. and while fbgc is still preety much undeveloped, might as well build them. nagtipid ba o wala sa plano? I agree with the opinons regarding narrow roadlanes specially the entrace from c5 and the exitway on mckinley, imagine if the c5 going to libis choked.:ohno: knowing fbgc is positioning itself to be a major cbd with rivals neighbouring makati etc., they should build them now.

^^ Napaka car centric kasi ng mga pinoy eh but if there will be access to good public transport system available, it will be a disincentive for drivers to drive their vehicles when faced with such bad traffic jams and add to that limited parking as well as parking costing alot (that it's ridiculous). Just look at cities like New York, San Francisco, Paris, Tokyo among others, people either walk or use public transpo more so than actually drive because it reached a threshold to some where it does not make economic sense to drive anymore. Now in Pinas, I'm not sure what that treshold will be before the public's perception of public transpo changes. What's that cost lost sitting in traffic? Having said this, aside from the Fort Bus, and plans for a BRT system, more access/exit road(s) and public transpo hubs at key points within BGC are all that's really needed since the railway extension is already part of the long-term solution/plan. Efficient public transport system will really be key because the current access and exit roads does not look like it can handle heavy/major traffic flow without reconstruction and/or the construction of additional access/exit roads to improve traffic flow in and out of the area. That's why like many of you have said, it is better to address the issue and plan for it sooner instead of later so that solutions can be seemlessly incorporated in the overall Master planning. Same thing applies to Century City.

haha.. super off-topic tayo... i agree that we are now a car-centric culture.. but things should change if proper infrastructure has been placed conveniently for many of us to use.

^^correct.. bgc will suffer tremendous congestion problems if not addressed now..

i disagree. What they are doing with BGC is actually smart and with good foresight. The road network of BGC is more than enough to support a CBD. Making them wider will not solve any traffic problems as it will just encourage more people to drive their cars to BGC (hence, more parking space would be needed). Urban Planners now know that congestion is a "good thing" (yes, i said its a good thing, believe it or not). Its a good thing as it will force people to seek alternative methods to get to work, in this case BGC. That is why BGC developed the Fort Bus and if everything goes according to plan (hopefully), rail systems such as Northrail will service BGC commuters.

Vancouver (a city with very few highways) is actually better off than most N.A cities in terms of traffic. Abu Dhabi is also applying this no highway, congestion is your friend kind of planning too....in contrast to Dubai which has wide roads and highways. Which city has worse traffic jams? Dubai;)

sorry mods for the OT. I just felt that i had to address this.

You can continue the traffic discussions here: Traffic in the Metro (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=456315). :colgate:

Picar Holdings Commissions HVS
Philippine Daily Inquirer
January 6, 2008

Picar Holdings, Inc., the properties subsidiary of the AMA Group of Companies, formally commissioned HVS, a global consulting and services organization focused on hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming and leisure industries, to conduct the business plan for Picar's biggest project.

HVS representatives from Singapore recently visited the country to undertake their industry scan of hotels and serviced apartments in the country in preparation for Picar Holdings' venture.

Picar Holdings will develop a 1.3 hectare property along Kalayaan Ave. which will soon be transformed into a commercial, tourist and business center, showcasing among others, the first ever designer branded five star hotel.

By the way, there is a teaser ad in the Inquirer today (section B3 page 4):

"My father taught me never to rest on my laurels.
For every dream I realize, a new one must take its place"
Dr. Amable R. Aguiluz V
Founder and Chairman, AMA Group of Companies






His vision has been built. Witness the rise of a rise of a new real estate development company that will bring the Filipino's dream of owning a home to life.

^^ sana tapusin muna nila yung AMA tower., (sa kanila ba yun?)

http://www.bworld.com.ph/BW021408/content.php?id=041

Start-up property firm allots P4 billion for projects
Lovely Nica P. Lee
BusinessWorld
February 14, 2008

NEWLY FORMED property firm Picar Development, Inc. will spend P4 billion this year to jump-start a series of real estate projects in key cities in the country.

In a recent interview, company founder and Chairman Amable R. Aguiluz said Picar would launch and begin the construction of four projects to take advantage of the demand in properties.

Picar Center

"The capital expenditure would be about P4 billion and would be sourced internally. But that amount does not include the 40% that would be coming from a joint venture with a Middle East investor for our Kalayaan [Avenue] project," he told BusinessWorld.

Along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City, Mr. Aguiluz said, would rise a mixed-use development with a hotel, business process outsourcing (BPO) offices, service apartments and residential condominiums.

"The 1.3-hectare property would house the country’s first five-star hotel as well as a residential condominium. Both are 50 storeys [each] based on initial plans," he said.

Mr. Aguiluz said the estimated cost of the Kalayaan project was pegged at P10 billion. Funds will partly be sourced from the Middle Eastern investor, whom Mr. Aguiluz declined to name.

Picar City

Another project in the pipeline is a mixed-use horizontal development to be built in General Trias, Cavite that is named Picar City. The project will be equipped with broadband facilities.

"This is another first. It would be the first ’telepolis’ in the Philippines. It would be an exclusive gated and guarded township development which is a translation of the information technology in built space," Mr. Aguiluz said.

To sit on a 50-hectare property, Picar City will be offering 2,600 houses aimed at the middle-income market.

"It’s a subdivision catering to the mid-market. House and lots are sold at P1.6 million to P2.2 million. And it would have a 10-hectare commercial [development] as well as BPO [projects]," Mr. Aguiluz said.

Picar will also develop a BPO center located in Cebu’s Asiatown IT park, an IT special economic zone managed by the Ayala-led Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corp.

Mr. Aguiluz said the 26,000-square-meter BPO will have eight storeys subdivided into three different components.

"We will have retail in the ground floor, an AMA college on the second floor and BPOs in the rest of the floors. Seating capacity for the BPOs could reach 2,500 seats," he added.

AMA Tower?

Mr. Aguiluz also said that the company would also be launching this year a 37-storey residential condominium in Ortigas.

"There are no investment numbers yet. It’s still in the planning stage since we have just acquired the land. It’s the one beside POEA in Ortigas," he said.

"Our focus now is the development of these properties since we’re market-driven, we want to make sure that we deliver quality houses to our buyers," Mr. Aguiluz said.
Part of the AMA Group

Incorporated last year, Picar is the real estate subsidiary of the AMA Group of Companies. It acquires, develops and manages high-value real estate projects all over the country.

It has an approximate 100 hectares of commercial and residential assets aimed to be converted into pioneering and quality properties.

http://www.bworld.com.ph/BW021408/content.php?id=041

Start-up property firm allots P4 billion for projects
Lovely Nica P. Lee
BusinessWorld
February 14, 2008

NEWLY FORMED property firm Picar Development, Inc. will spend P4 billion this year to jump-start a series of real estate projects in key cities in the country.

In a recent interview, company founder and Chairman Amable R. Aguiluz said Picar would launch and begin the construction of four projects to take advantage of the demand in properties.

Picar Center

"The capital expenditure would be about P4 billion and would be sourced internally. But that amount does not include the 40% that would be coming from a joint venture with a Middle East investor for our Kalayaan [Avenue] project," he told BusinessWorld.

Along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City, Mr. Aguiluz said, would rise a mixed-use development with a hotel, business process outsourcing (BPO) offices, service apartments and residential condominiums.

"The 1.3-hectare property would house the country’s first five-star hotel as well as a residential condominium. Both are 50 storeys [each] based on initial plans," he said.

Mr. Aguiluz said the estimated cost of the Kalayaan project was pegged at P10 billion. Funds will partly be sourced from the Middle Eastern investor, whom Mr. Aguiluz declined to name.

Picar City

Another project in the pipeline is a mixed-use horizontal development to be built in General Trias, Cavite that is named Picar City. The project will be equipped with broadband facilities.

"This is another first. It would be the first ’telepolis’ in the Philippines. It would be an exclusive gated and guarded township development which is a translation of the information technology in built space," Mr. Aguiluz said.

To sit on a 50-hectare property, Picar City will be offering 2,600 houses aimed at the middle-income market.

"It’s a subdivision catering to the mid-market. House and lots are sold at P1.6 million to P2.2 million. And it would have a 10-hectare commercial [development] as well as BPO [projects]," Mr. Aguiluz said.

Picar will also develop a BPO center located in Cebu’s Asiatown IT park, an IT special economic zone managed by the Ayala-led Cebu Property Ventures and Development Corp.

Mr. Aguiluz said the 26,000-square-meter BPO will have eight storeys subdivided into three different components.

"We will have retail in the ground floor, an AMA college on the second floor and BPOs in the rest of the floors. Seating capacity for the BPOs could reach 2,500 seats," he added.

AMA Tower?

Mr. Aguiluz also said that the company would also be launching this year a 37-storey residential condominium in Ortigas.

"There are no investment numbers yet. It’s still in the planning stage since we have just acquired the land. It’s the one beside POEA in Ortigas," he said.

"Our focus now is the development of these properties since we’re market-driven, we want to make sure that we deliver quality houses to our buyers," Mr. Aguiluz said.
Part of the AMA Group

Incorporated last year, Picar is the real estate subsidiary of the AMA Group of Companies. It acquires, develops and manages high-value real estate projects all over the country.

It has an approximate 100 hectares of commercial and residential assets aimed to be converted into pioneering and quality properties.

nagloloko ba sila? anong 1st 5 star hotel?

Hindi rin, coz hindi rin naman ganun ka-wide ang roads sa BGC .

I'm not bothered by traffic, because in BGC, the Shang hotel and PSE Tower are just walking distance so no need to drive.

nagloloko ba sila? anong 1st 5 star hotel?

I think they mean the first mixed use 5-star hotel and condominium tower.

I think this project is typical of AMA , lots of flashy statements but so far nothing. I'm not even sure this project is concrete, parang marketing statements lang fishing to see how the market will respond.

Seems like Picar fenced out their share of the Jerde-masterplanned development. Is the red-fenced area Picar Center? Will they still be using the Jerde designs and integrate it into Century City?


http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll247/grandew09/private_1_7216cdcbdfd535539d93473a5.jpg?t=1211597396

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll247/grandew09/private_1_cc57a7d9c8c0cd6dfa1a66512.jpg?t=1211597449

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll247/grandew09/private_1_e5e3be716c1706ca3baffc0f2.jpg?t=1211597489

http://i290.photobucket.com/albums/ll247/grandew09/private_1_cc57a7d9c8c0cd6dfa1a66512.jpg?t=1211597543

What is the orientation of the Picar Hotel in conjunction to the Century City projects, specifically Knightsbridge?
Will it actually be covered by the future Picar Hotel I wonder?


http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/thomasian/101_0004x.jpg

http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b358/thomasian/Century-Picar.gif



http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/Century%20City/CC-Location-Map2.jpg




kalayaan avenue....picar place near gramercy

http://photos-618.friendster.com/e1/photos/81/67/4067618/1_859039328l.jpg


Just that if the pic/rendering is accurate, it looks like Knightsbridge will actually be covered by the Picar Hotel. Is this pic from Kalayaan Ave. vantage point? Just trying to get my bearings... Thanks.


http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g227/tcc_0888/The%20Knightsbridge/TheKnightsbridgeResidences_banne-1.jpg

What is the orientation of the Picar Hotel in conjunction to the Century City projects, specifically Knightsbridge?
Will it actually be covered by the future Picar Hotel I wonder?

No one knows at this point what definite plans Picar Holdings have for the area. No news about their buildings since the full page Picar announcements and news in the papers last February 2008. Zilch. Nada. But you are right @3cr, everyone should definitely go for the higher floors in Knightsbridge Residences to be sure to get themselves an unobstructed view of Makati.

Likewise, I'll give the same advice for future Picar unit owners. Unit location is very important as you do not want your views (if this is the main reason for your unit purchase) to be obstructed by another tall building.

Just that if the pic/rendering is accurate, it looks like Knightsbridge will actually be covered by the Picar Hotel. Is this pic from Kalayaan Ave. vantage point? Just trying to get my bearings... Thanks.

Yes that banner of Knightsbridge Residences is from the POV of Kalayaan Ave.

^^ Thank You very much TC. I appreciate the info bro. :) :) :)

The classified ads yesterday gave a peek of the Picar Place renderings.

^^ O yeah? Hopefully someone can post the rendering naman (hint, hint) Hehehe... :) :) :)

^^ O yeah? Hopefully someone can post the rendering naman (hint, hint) Hehehe... :) :) :)

What's the newspaper?

any feedback on the newspaper clipping/article?

What's the newspaper?

^^ I don't know, it was Dunamis who saw it eh. I just came across the post in the Knightsbridge thread and just reposted it here in the Picar thread. I'm sure Dunamis will let us know once he comes across our posts. :)

checked the bulletin, sunday edition. couldn't find it

may rendering na pla to sa site nya. sa tabi ng gramercy.

^^any other details of this project? # units, floors, or completion dates? matagal na dormant tong thread... hehe buhayin natin.

50 floors and an office at that, must be tall noh?

50 floors and an office at that, must be tall noh?

Thanks dude! mataas yun ah. any other updates? :)

Hanggang ngayong nakatiwangwang pa rin ung space ng Picar Place...wala naman ongoing construction...tsk tsk tsk...:lol:

will this project have residential units as well?

wow malaki pala ang gramercy... 88 floors... it must be higher than 303 metres.

i don't see anything wrong with gymsum board as long as well insulated sya to trap noise inside and out.

hindi naman pala kataasan ang stratford. 50 floors will not make it a super tall.

^^hmmm iba pa ba picar place sa stratford?

^^ Picar Place must be the name of the whole complex.

^^ Yup most probably is.


This Stratford project looks promising! Hopefully this project comes to fruition! :okay: :okay:


Stratford

http://i20.photobucket.com/albums/b210/ofngol/2008/stratford_day_big.jpg http://i494.photobucket.com/albums/rr304/mrayel75/StratfordResidences2.jpg

^^ Picar Place must be the name of the whole complex.

Yup, so that makes Stratford just "one of the projects" rising in Picar Place.

^^with picar and century city, that place is a little too crowded IMHO.

^^ Philippines' tallest block!

^^ Oh yeah!!! It's gonna be, hopefully, a supertall block. The cluster would definitely redefine the Makati skyline and would be a standout, so with that, the buildings should look really aesthetically pleasing.

^^The pix isn't showing po:)

^^The pix isn't showing po:)

Needs upgrade to pro for photobucket to show the images.

watch out for the grand launch of STRATFORD RESIDENCES at Picar Place!

^^ Last time I checked the place, they are doing excavation works already.

^^ Last time I checked the place, they are doing excavation works already.

Im so excited to see the other half of the JAn Jerde master planned development, i wonder when will be the date, ive seen the knightsbridge excavation going on and gramercy risisng, but when is picar going to be launched? So far only the original lot placement and the buildings rendering has been publicly announced, anything else new for this property. its keeping everyone in suspense. hope this really surprises everyone with a one of a kind property,

Reposting from the Makati City thread:

i REALLY LOVE THIS Photo, hope you can share more of these as the properties rise to the top, it would be exciting to collect them and see how this side of makati skyline change through the next few years as picar, century and antel raise for the sky.

keep them coming.:banana:

Im so excited to see the other half of the JAn Jerde master planned development, i wonder when will be the date, ive seen the knightsbridge excavation going on and gramercy risisng, but when is picar going to be launched? So far only the original lot placement and the buildings rendering has been publicly announced, anything else new for this property. its keeping everyone in suspense. hope this really surprises everyone with a one of a kind property,

i think it is not part of the jerde master plan and excavation works have not started yet. FYI. thanks

Im so excited to see the other half of the JAn Jerde master planned development, i wonder when will be the date, ive seen the knightsbridge excavation going on and gramercy risisng, but when is picar going to be launched? So far only the original lot placement and the buildings rendering has been publicly announced, anything else new for this property. its keeping everyone in suspense. hope this really surprises everyone with a one of a kind property,

I may be wrong, but I think the owners of PICAR went over their head on this project; or, they are too busy with their home subdivision; or, they don't have the fund to build; or, their original partner (Arabs) backed out of the project. The original plan of Jerde I believe included PICAR's lot and was the site of a 5 star hotel. Then, I think they backed-off because of any reason I mentioned; or, their financing is still under negotiation. :dunno:

I thought they went along with preselling their Stratford condos, any news? Then I heard they stopped selling. :ohno:
Hope they get their acts together and be successful with Stratford. It is always nice to see successful projects. Once Strartford is completed it will surely be a fantastic structure. :banana:

i think it is not part of the jerde master plan and excavation works have not started yet. FYI. thanks

Oh, its not part of the Jerde plan after all. Thanks for the info.

I may be wrong, but I think the owners of PICAR went over their head on this project; or, they are too busy with their home subdivision; or, they don't have the fund to build; or, their original partner (Arabs) backed out of the project. The original plan of Jerde I believe included PICAR's lot and was the site of a 5 star hotel. Then, I think they backed-off because of any reason I mentioned; or, their financing is still under negotiation. :dunno:

I thought they went along with preselling their Stratford condos, any news? Then I heard they stopped selling. :ohno:
Hope they get their acts together and be successful with Stratford. It is always nice to see successful projects. Once Strartford is completed it will surely be a fantastic structure. :banana:

is it also possible that the recent buzzing around the ayala redevelopment property along greenbelt and raffles residences be related to this? that development includes another hotel with some notable saudi arabian investors. could they be the same investors that were supposed to partner with picar? anyway its still in makati and it looks like they have all systems go there, and work is going on really fast. maybe century can offer to buy picar property to expand century city. that's if picar would even sell, im sure picar has lots of plans for the property, its a prime space and giving it away easily would be far from happening.

What's happening in this project? any updates?

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_440aGZY4m2Y/TWySvpMSUzI/AAAAAAAACGs/7dtm9176JjI/s720/securedownload.jpeg
Taken March 1 2011

is it also possible that the recent buzzing around the ayala redevelopment property along greenbelt and raffles residences be related to this? that development includes another hotel with some notable saudi arabian investors. could they be the same investors that were supposed to partner with picar? anyway its still in makati and it looks like they have all systems go there, and work is going on really fast. maybe century can offer to buy picar property to expand century city. that's if picar would even sell, im sure picar has lots of plans for the property, its a prime space and giving it away easily would be far from happening.

5 Months and counting...that is what I heard...and the agreement was..Century will have the first option to buy it.:banana:

It's still being advertised in the papers. Just last week.

from recent photos..no activity was seen in the site except for toadpoles multiplying in the pond...

Sir mam, if you want some one to show you and present the Stratford project
Just set a date for a meeting lang po
contact me here lang po -
09232388657 or send me a message sa ym mr.carlo_santos@yahoo.com

from recent photos..no activity was seen in the site except for toadpoles multiplying in the pond...

Toadpoles?

yung sa taas oh taga picar, ano kaya ang ibebenta nila sa ngayong madalang ang movement sa project o baka natatakpan lang ng fence .hehehe

may ads na ulit to sa inquirer....

please post it over, thanks

https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/_440aGZY4m2Y/TWySvpMSUzI/AAAAAAAACGs/7dtm9176JjI/s720/securedownload.jpeg
Taken March 1 2011

whats that property under excavation in the foreground?

Gramercy claim bucked
Manila Standard
May 17th, 2012
http://business.manilastandardtoday.com/2012/05/17/gramercy-claim-bucked/

The race for the country’s tallest residential building has reached the courts with Gramercy Residences’ developer being accused of fraud and misrepresentation for claiming to have 73 floors, although it is allowed to go as high as 68 floors only.

Picar Development Inc., which is building the adjacent 70-story Stratford Residences on Kalayaan Ave. in Makati, also asked the Muntinlupa regional trial court last week to stop Gramercy from constructing the additional five floors.

In its complaint, Picar attached a letter from the Makati City Hall certifying that the local government had not received any application from Century Properties Inc. to raise Gramercy from 68 to 73 floors.

Picar also asked the court to stop Century Properties from claiming its project as the “Philippines’ first super tall building and will also be the highest” to protect the public who might buy “on the mistaken belief that The Gramercy Residences has the distinction of being higher than The Stratford Residences, if not the highest in the Philippines.”

http://i48.tinypic.com/21cgpdx.jpg (http://i48.tinypic.com/21cgpdx.jpg)

The Buddha-Bar is all that
Business Mirror
http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/life/28336-the-buddha-bar-is-all-that

THE Buddha-Bar is one of the most recognized brand names in the industry worldwide. Needless to say, Buddha-Bar Manila has a hype to live up to. This plush restaurant-cum-bar and lounge hybrid does that and more.

Buddha-Bar Manila, which is located at the Picar Place along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City, is the newest, stylish hangout at the heart of the metropolis. Dining, meeting or simply lounging around give you a calm and tranquil feeling that lifts you from the hustle and bustle of the city outside. The ambiance and luxury let you travel—if only for a while—to the exotic reaches of your fancy.

“It’s not different from other Buddha-Bars abroad because everything that you see here was approved and was patterned after Buddha-Bar Paris, because we’re under that franchise,” enthuses Yzl D. Cruz, marketing director of Buddha-Bar Manila.

From a distance, Buddha-Bar on Kalayaan Avenue in Makati is hardly different from other high-end establishments dotting the Metro. But the moment you enter this remarkable place, its über chic and grandiose interior stands out like no other bar in the Metro you’ve ever seen.

Spread out over three floors, Buddha-Bar Manila—the biggest outlet of such in the world with a seating capacity of over 500—is teeming with Oriental ornaments and fine fixtures. On the ground floor, you will be mystified by its glorious expanse as you settle on any of its comfortable seats, where you can have a relaxing moment by your lonesome or a meaningful tète-â-tète with your companions in tow.

After lounging around, you may either hop on over to the bar to try out its wide collection of premium wines and other drinks, or simply scan what’s on the rack of the Boutique adjacent to the main entrance, such as CDs, T-shirts, The Art of the Table, candles and other exclusive items on sale.

Craving for Asian cuisine? The restaurant and open terrace on the second floor caters lunch and dinner. It’s accessible either via the grand staircase accentuating the lounge area or by the elevator. Teeming with fine tables and chairs, the dining area upstairs is also where the sushi bar and the disk jockey’s (DJ) booth is situated. Also elevated there is the gigantic Buddha, which is prominently enthroned to add serenity to such a monumental place.

If you’re in the mood to groove all night long, the roof deck is the place to be. This area has its own bar and at the center is a knee-deep pool. While it boasts of an al fresco setup, a built-in tent covers the entire area for those nights when the weather isn’t cooperating.

Inside the Buddha-Bar, gazing around makes you feel privileged and affluent being surrounded by everything that’s sophisticated. From the top, the bar mezzanine, which is accentuated by 18th-century-style wrought-iron balustrades, looks over the open dining and expansive lounge areas. From the rich mahogany furniture to decorated wood panels, lush reds and gleaming golds, luxurious fabrics and Portuguese mosaics, as well as Chinese and Japanese art objects and Khmer statues, they all come together to captivate your senses and titillate your imagination.

Complementing its opulent and classy design is the amber-colored lighting, which automatically becomes subdued as the night progresses. Completing the whole experience is the in-house DJ’s continued play of signature ambient tracks and chill-out, electronic down tempo, world grooves Oriental-Eastern music. After all, Buddha-Bar’s explosion into the consciousness of most of the world was primarily through the kind of music they played.

“The bar is good for people who want a little quiet place, along with the plush interiors, good food and good service. Prominent people are here all the time—from celebrities and politicians to business owners,” Cruz shares.

The kitchen master and her creations

THE world-class restaurant, bar and lounge chain Buddha-Bar is not only known globally as an ideal place to stir world-weary souls with its soothing, exotic atmosphere, but also it tickles the taste buds of the discriminating. And this level of quality comes to the Philippines with no less than Executive Chef Soc Santos at the helm of its kitchen.

Chef Soc graduated from the prestigious French Culinary Institute in Broadway, New York, with a degree in the culinary arts. With 14 years of experience in the restaurant and hospitality industry behind him, Chef Soc definitely knows her stuff. Prior to her lording over the Buddha-Bar’s kitchen, she went to Paris to undergo an intensive training. Applying what she learned from the high standards set by the bar’s originator, she then brought in the exacting standards of quality and taste to Buddha-Bar in Manila, as well as her own inventive creation of the bar’s extensive menu of signature Pacific Rim cuisine. “It’s Asian food tweaked differently with French excellence to cater to the discriminating taste of our customers,” she explains.

Using authentic Asian ingredients, Buddha-Bar offers during lunch and dinner delectable signature dishes such as the sumptuous Chicken Salad, mouthwatering Seared Sesame Tuna with Shiitake Vinaigrette, Fillet Mignon cooked “Teppanyaki” Style, zesty Five-Spice Barbecued Chicken and the succulent Grilled Rock Lobster with Spiced Baby Potatoes and Asian Apple Salad. Not to be missed, of course, is the wide array of the finest sashimi, delicately hand-rolled sushi and other unique creations available at the Sushi Bar.

Just recently, the bar launched its Business Lunch Menu starting at P750+ per person. This set menu starts with appetizing Salad Mesclun with Shiitake Tossed in Japanese Vinaigrette. Following this healthy entrée, is the main course of either the scrumptious Grilled Pork Belly in Asian BBQ sauce with Vegetable Kebab, the irresistible Malabar Spiced Hanger Steak with Cucumber Raita with Herb Butter Vegetables, the tempting Chicken Curry with Mango Chutney with Vegetable Pakoras, the delightful Salmon Teriyaki with Vegetable Tempura or the guiltless Vegetable Curry with Vegetable Pakoras. The main course is served with Jasmine rice and some frills. For dessert, customers may opt to sink in their teeth with the very Pinoy Coco Pandan Crêpe or the Warm Chocolate or Butter Custard Cake “We are inviting not only our executive clientele, but also the young and classy urbanites to experience a luncheon unlike any other, here at Buddha-Bar Manila,” says Chef Soc.

I really like the Buddha-Bar in Paris so, if I get over to Metro Manila later this summer, a visit to the Buddha-Bar in Paris would very definitely need to be on the cards.

There's actually a bar in the "Antel Lifestyle City" complex that I like called Stagecoach so, with the combination of these two places, there may be some merit in me booking into the A-Venue Suites for a night or two :)

BUDDHA BAR Manila @ Picar Place

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sites/default/files/a_images/topics/lifestyle/buddhabar_0.jpg
A look inside Buddha Bar Manila at Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sites/default/files/a_images/topics/lifestyle/buddhabar2.jpg
The top floor of Buddha Bar Manila lets customers dine al fresco.

^^^^any idea how much is their bottle of wine?

^^^^any idea how much is their bottle of wine?

I think you should be more specific.

now that answers the question sa pagkawala ng hotel sa new renderings ng century city. by the way, yung nakausap kong agent, sabi 88 floors daw ang gramercy. pang 55th floor na raw binibenta nila.


88 floors?!? :eek2: iba talaga mga ahente!!! :lol:

BUDDHA BAR Manila @ Picar Place

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sites/default/files/a_images/topics/lifestyle/buddhabar_0.jpg
A look inside Buddha Bar Manila at Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sites/default/files/a_images/topics/lifestyle/buddhabar2.jpg
The top floor of Buddha Bar Manila lets customers dine al fresco.

Another hub for the pretentious lot I guess!

the vicinity map above states 77 floors including basements. on an average of 8 basements for hi rises, the startford wont reach 70 floors above ground.

BUDDHA BAR Manila @ Picar Place

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sites/default/files/a_images/topics/lifestyle/buddhabar_0.jpg
A look inside Buddha Bar Manila at Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City.

http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/sites/default/files/a_images/topics/lifestyle/buddhabar2.jpg
The top floor of Buddha Bar Manila lets customers dine al fresco.

i should try this place, interiors actually looks good.

AMA ventures into P60B property development

By: Doris C. Dumlao | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Tuesday | July 10th, 2012 | 7:06 pm

MANILA, Philippines—The AMA Group of Companies is investing P60 billion in various property developments across the country over the next 10 years, the flagship project of which is urban hub Picar Place in Makati.

AMA group’s property unit Picar Development Inc., despite being a newbie in the highly competitive real estate, seeks to make its own mark with distinctive projects, such as an “iconic” 74-story tower in Makati envisioned to be the country’s tallest skyscraper and the country’s first “telepolis” (completely Wifi-enabled township) in Cavite, company officials said on Tuesday.

The P60-billion projected investments will involve a portfolio of 10 to 15 real estate projects seen unlocking values from Picar’s 63 hectares of landbank across the country to date.

“Picar has always been guided by a virtue to shape lives through mixed-use and integrated living and leisure concepts where people with dynamic lifestyles can live in comfort,” Picar chairman Amable Aguiluz said in a press statement.

The flagship development of Picar, which was established only in 2007, will rise in a 1.5-hectare urban hub along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati. This P11-billion Picar Place project will include the three-tower The Stratford Residences each with a height of 250 meters and 74 stories.

This new residential project will bring to the market 1,124 additional residential units. Turnover is expected to happen by end-2015 or early 2016, Picar general manager Danilo Jugno said in a press briefing.

Picar is expected to invest about P3.7 to P3.8 billion in Stratford alone. Also soon to rise in this Makati hub is Movenpick Hotel, which will manage 350 hotel rooms in 26 floors to be carved out of the second Stratford tower. Jugno said Stratford would cater to the middle to upper-income market segments.

The first project to be completed in Picar Place is the P500-million upscale Buddha Bar-Manila.

In Alabang, Picar has invested in a mid-range residential and commercial condominium development called Chelsea on which will rise a 32-story condominium.

Picar has also established its footprint south of Metro Manila with Ara Vista Village, a 50-hectare residential-commercial development in General Trias, Cavite. Picar plans to build 2,000 houses in this Wifi-enabled township alongside a school, which will have the technology-based AMA University.

The property firm is also making plans to expand in Calamba, Quezon City, Davao, Cebu and Caticlan.

Source: http://business.inquirer.net/70248/ama-ventures-into-p60b-property-development

More News

AMA Group’s property unit preps projects worth P60B

by Franz Jonathan G. de la Fuente | Business World | Tuesday | July 10, 2012 | 09:44:44 PM

PICAR DEVELOPMENT, Inc., the real estate arm of the AMA Group, plans to spend P60 billion in 10 years to expand its property reach nationwide, beginning with developments in Makati City and Alabang, officials announced yesterday.

The amount, which will be sourced from the AMA Group, will be used to develop the company’s 630,000-square-meter land bank spread out all over the country.

“I think everyone believes that the local property market is still bullish. We believe in the next 10 years, the property market will still be in demand. When [the Philippines] gets an investment grade, hopefully in the next 12 months, that will help us a lot,” Danilo N. Jugno, Picar Development general manager, told reporters at a briefing.

Picar Development will be allotting P11 billion for Picar Development Place, the company’s 1.5-hectare flagship district in Bel-Air, Makati City which already houses the luxury Buddha Bar Manila lounge bar and restaurant. Joining Buddha Bar will be a 70-storey, 600-unit Mövenpick hotel, which is a joint venture with Swiss-based Mövenpick Hotels and Resorts, as well as a high-end, three-tower condominium project dubbed The Stratford Residences, which is expected to be completed in 2015.

Elsewhere, Picar Development is earmarking around P1.7 billion for Chelsea Residences, a 32-storey, mid-range condominium that will rise on a 1,408-square-meter lot in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Chelsea will be launched by end-July, and is likely to be completed by 2016,Mr. Jugno said.

In the meantime, Picar Development said it will be expanding its mixed-use Ara Vista Village in General Trias, Cavite, which is said to be the country’s first WiFi-enabled township.

“Phase one is already completed, while phase two is almost 50% sold. Phase three, on the other hand, will begin before the end of the year and will be finished before 2014,” Stephen P. Reyes, Picar Development senior assistant vice-president, said at the same briefing.

Moving forward, Picar Development said it was looking to expand into Laguna, Quezon City, Davao, Cebu, and Aklan, where the company is aiming to build a mix of office, hotel and mall developments, Mr. Jugno said.

In addition, the company is also interested in beefing up its land bank for future developments.

“We are looking at Laguna, Tagaytay [City], and other provinces in the south,” Mr. Jugno said.

Picar Development, established in 2007, revealed last year that it planned to list on the Philippine Stock Exchange to fund more residential projects, but it has set aside these plans in the interim.

“We’re looking at going public, maybe not in the near term, but in the medium term. It’s not a priority,” Mr. Jugno said, declining to elaborate.

Source: http://www.bworldonline.com/content.php?section=Corporate&title=AMA-Group%E2%80%99s-property-unit-preps-projects-worth-P60B&id=54922

That Buddha Bar has the potential to be a famous hangout in the region. I just hope they don't end up shutting it down because of the birth pains.

More News

AMA group earmarks P60B for property projects

PH’s tallest building, first ‘telepolis’ eyed

By: Doris C. Dumlao | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Tuesday | July 10th, 2012 | 7:06 pm

MANILA, Philippines—The AMA Group of Companies is investing P60 billion over the next 10 year in various property developments across the country, including flagship project Picar Place in Makati.

AMA group’s property unit Picar Development Inc., a newcomer in the highly competitive real estate business, seeks to make its mark with distinctive projects—such as a 74-story tower in Makati, which is envisioned to become the country’s tallest skyscraper, and the Philippines’ first “telepolis” (completely Wifi-enabled township), which will be built in Cavite, company officials said.

The planned P60-billion investments will involve a portfolio of 10 to 15 real estate projects that will use Picar’s landbank of about 63 hectares of land in various parts of the country.

“Picar has always been guided by a virtue to shape lives through mixed-use and integrated living and leisure concepts where people with dynamic lifestyles can live in comfort,” Picar chairman Amable Aguiluz said in a statement.

The flagship development of Picar, which was established in 2007, will rise on a 1.5-hectare property along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati. The P11-billion Picar Place project will include the three-tower The Stratford Residences, which will have 74 floors each.

“The Stratford Residences is a new-generation, three-tower skyscraper in Makati City that revolutionizes the idea of urban living with smart and superior luxury qualities,” Picar general manager Danilo Jugno said.

The new residential project will bring to the market 1,124 additional residential units. The units will be turned over to buyers by the end of 2015 or in early 2016, Jugno said in a briefing.

Prices range from an average of P3.2 million for the 27- to 24-square-meter studio units to about P20 million for the three-bedroom units with floor areas of 164-183 sqm, said Picar senior assistant vice president Stephen Reyes. The penthouse loft has bigger units ranging from 200 to 480 square meters.

Picar is expected to invest about P3.7 billion in Stratford alone. Also rising in this Makati hub soon is Movenpick Hotel, which will have 350 rooms on 26 floors of the second Stratford tower.

Stratford caters to the middle to upper-income market segments.

The first project to be completed in Picar Place is the P500-million Buddha Bar-Manila, the biggest establishment of the high-end bar and fine-dining restaurant chain that originated in Paris.

In Alabang, Picar has invested in a mid-range residential and commercial condominium development called Chelsea. The 32-story condominium will rise on a 1,408-sqm land in Alabang.

Picar has also established its footprint in south of Metro Manila with Ara Vista Village, a 50-hectare residential-commercial development in General Trias, Cavite. Picar plans to build 2,000 houses in this Wifi-enabled township and a school. The residential units with lot area of 100 sqm are selling for P2.3 million to P5 million.

Ara Vista is expected to be sold out by 2014, said Picar marketing chief Charlie Castillo.

The property firm is also planning to expand in Calamba, Quezon City, Davao, Cebu and Caticlan.

While the company’s current product offerings are focused on middle to upscale buyers, Picar plans to become a full-range developer with products catering to the low-income segment as well, Jugno said.

Jugno also said that international selling is a key part of Picar’s strategy.

Source: http://business.inquirer.net/70248/ama-ventures-into-p60b-property-development

Biz Buzz: P500M nightclub

by Doris C. Dumlao | Philippine Daily Inquirer | Wednesday | August 22nd, 2012 | 2:02 am

Businessman Amable Aguiluz, founder of AMA Computer University and a special envoy to the Arab Gulf states, probably holds the record for making the single-biggest investment in a stand-alone restaurant-bar in the metropolis after bringing in a Paris-born cosmopolitan nightclub franchise.

Buddha Bar Manila, which opened its doors last January at Aguiluz’s Picar Place development along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati, is the 27th in the international chain created by French (of Romanian descent) nightclub expert Raymond Visan and the biggest in the world.

With its 500-person seating capacity, it has enough room to serve Manila’s discerning crowd even during the peak Friday and Saturday nights. Its counterparts elsewhere in the world, such as the one in New York (which was even featured in a Sex and the City episode), are favorite watering holes of celebrities.

With its signature big floating Buddha, an elegant lounge at the ground floor, dining area at the second floor and an al fresco roofdeck lounge and live DJ playing its own music mix, Aguiluz had to fork out P500 million to build the place.

This signifies the commitment of the AMA group to the property market, says Danilo Jugno, general manager of AMA group’s property development arm Picar Development. According to the grapevine, the air-con system of the facility alone costs P40 million.

Is this just an icing on the cake to draw traffic to Picar’s flagship mixed-use complex in Makati? Jugno says it’s possible for Picar to recover its investment in about five years.

Eventually, Buddha Bar Manila will be surrounded by Picar’s high-rise projects such as the three-tower The Stratford Residences, which has yet to rise but is already featured in an ongoing exhibit at Eiffel Tower as among the tallest buildings in the world.

Source: http://business.inquirer.net/78126/biz-buzz-p500m-nightclub

A -- It's not a nightclub

B -- It's empty each time Ive been there

C -- Very nice interior and good service....but totally deserted.

Ive been there twice, its not packed but there were quite a number of people. Its not the typical loud noisy bar its more cozy and to me ideal for date night. I wonder if Buddha Bar Paris has the same ambiance.

aww kung totoo na hindi packed ang buddha bar like what they posted here, P500 million invest ng Picar diyan... I hope pagnaturn over yung mga condos around it lalakas din yan...

benefitting from neighbors project...bantay salakay pala dapat negosyo ni AMA

A -- It's not a nightclub

B -- It's empty each time Ive been there

C -- Very nice interior and good service....but totally deserted.
^^^^^^

Hope it doesn't close. AMA pays franchise fee, this could be a financial drain for them. Usually business is brisk during the early period of an establishment; but, if it's slow business this early, this may be a bad omen. Hopefully not, I still want to visit it soon.

I don't think it will close down. I don't think its on a loss. The place is really nice. Its not packed but i think its designed to be as such. The place is so spacious, tables are very much apart from each other. I think you just dont notice the people since its multi level, quiet cozy type of bar. Its a very nice place, you should try visiting. They have 50% off on selected cocktails i think until 7PM :D


^^^^^^

Hope it doesn't close. AMA pays franchise fee, this could be a financial drain for them. Usually business is brisk during the early period of an establishment; but, if it's slow business this early, this may be a bad omen. Hopefully not, I still want to visit it soon.

I don't think it will close down. I don't think its on a loss. The place is really nice. Its not packed but i think its designed to be as such. The place is so spacious, tables are very much apart from each other. I think you just dont notice the people since its multi level, quiet cozy type of bar. Its a very nice place, you should try visiting. They have 50% off on selected cocktails i think until 7PM :D

embassy at its peak is just 1-2M per night.

if its making 1m per night any night of the week, regardless if its holy week or christmas it'll be making 365m per year. less cost of food/drinks sold, overhead, etc.

that is if buddha bar is making 1m per night.

buddha bar is a far cry from embassy. its losing money.

it will be in the green zone if its like salon de ning or martinis. even if its not full, 20tables of 50-100k per bill can bring you 1-2m per night.

embassy at its peak is just 1-2M per night.

if its making 1m per night any night of the week, regardless if its holy week or christmas it'll be making 365m per year. less cost of food/drinks sold, overhead, etc.

that is if buddha bar is making 1m per night.

buddha bar is a far cry from embassy. its losing money.

it will be in the green zone if its like salon de ning or martinis. even if its not full, 20tables of 50-100k per bill can bring you 1-2m per night.

How much do you think would cost per table of let say 5 people in Buddha Bar? Its a very nice place. I guess it only takes time before people appreciates this. Its not similar to embassy. I guess the target market differs as well although both can be considered pricey.

How much do you think would cost per table of let say 5 people in Buddha Bar? Its a very nice place. I guess it only takes time before people appreciates this. Its not similar to embassy. I guess the target market differs as well although both can be considered pricey.

When I was there we bought 2 bottles of champagne and bill was about 60k php.....


The waiters were in shock and told us all that we had the highest bill there....

This was about 3-4months ago.

When I was there we bought 2 bottles of champagne and bill was about 60k php.....

The waiters were in shock and told us all that we had the highest bill there....

This was about 3-4months ago.

It was packed the other weekend! Hehehe it maybe a good sign. Cars were parked all the way to Kalayaan street.