Robinsons Land inks deal with Accenture

Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), the property unit of Gokongwei listed flagship holding firm JG Summit Holdings Inc. has inked a deal with Accenture Inc., one of the biggest global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing companies, for the lease of 30,000 square meters in Robinsons Cybergate Center 2 (RCC2) in Mandaluyong City.

This is the biggest office building lease transaction in the Philippines for a single corporate occupier to date, according to RLC.

Frederick Go, RLC executive vice-president and group general manager, said: "This latest transaction reinforces the position of [RLC] as the country’s biggest landlord of call centers and BPOs today."

Almost fully leased-out even before completion, RCC2 is a modern 28-story prime office building that is conveniently located at the corner of EDSA and Pioneer St., Mandaluyong City and a few meters away from the railway transit system.

RCC2 is part of the mixed-use community that includes the Robinsons Place Pioneer Mall, Robinsons Cybergate Center Tower 1 and residential condominiums like Gateway Garden Heights, One Gateway Place and Gateway Garden Ridge.

This transaction is in addition to the 16,000 square meter office space leased by Accenture at RCC Tower 1.

Aside from Accenture, RLC also has existing lease agreements with Convergys Philippines Services Corp.; Hellocorp Philippines Inc.; Hewlett-Packard Philippines; Influent Philippines Inc.; PacificHub Corporation; PeopleSupport (Phils.) Inc; SITEL; TeleDevelopment Services Inc.; TeleTech Customer Care Management (Phils.); and Winsource Solutions (Phils.) Inc.

"We are enjoying almost full occupancy in all our office buildings and our success is primarily due to the prime location, value innovation and superior technical design of our office buildings," Go said.

Inspired by the success of RCC2, RLC is now considering fast tracking the launching of Robinsons Cybergate Center Tower 3 to meet the office space demand of global outsourcing companies.

For its third tower, the company has already received reservations and inquiries from several of the world’s leading outsourcers.

Driven by the continued expansion and need of global outsourcing firms and other data-information companies for office space, the shortage of office building space is projected to continue in the next two to three years.

Studies showed that the annual take-up of office space for call centers and BPOs is currently estimated at 150,000 square meters.

The current lease rate in the Philippines continues to be one of the cheapest rates in Asia and this further attracts global outsourcing firms to seriously consider moving their back-room facilities in the Philippines.

In another development, RLC said it is set to launch Woodsville, a 9.3 hectare residential subdivision in Merville, Parañaque City.

RLC High-Rise Buildings General Manager Danilo E. Ignacio said the project involves the conversion of the property into a nature inspired mixed-use type development with three gated enclaves consisting of affordable condominium units, townhouses, and duplex in the range of P2 million and up.

"Woodsville’s first enclave will be a three-hectare community — aptly named Woodsville Viverde Mansions, this affordable residential condominium is geared in tapping the growing residential needs of start-up families and OFWs."