Megaworld developments get IMMUNE certifications

MANILA, Philippines — Upscale property developer Megaworld Corp. has earned “healthy” certifications for six of its office buildings in Quezon City and a residential condominium in Taguig.

The so-called IMMUNE Building Standard™ aims to help mitigate the effects of pandemics and other bacteriological and toxicological health threats by creating and promoting healthy buildings.

It was designed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and launched in 2020 by Genesis Property, a leading member of the European Property Federation and a renowned Class-A office developer.

Megaworld said it earned IMMUNE™ certifications from the Healthy by Design Building Institute (HDBI) for 1800 Eastwood Avenue and 1880 Eastwood Avenue office towers, making them the very first IMMUNE™-certified buildings in Asia after receiving the four star-certifications in June.

Both are located in Megaworld’s first township development, the 18.5-hectare Eastwood City in Quezon City.

Megaworld’s eCommerce Plaza, also in Eastwood City, was likewise awarded an IMMUNE™ Powerful (four stars) certification shortly after.

In Taguig City, One World Square, Two World Square, and Three World Square – all located within the 50-hectare McKinley Hill – received IMMUNE™ Resilient (five stars) certifications each.

Megaworld’s Eight Forbes Town Road in its five-hectare Forbes Town likewise received an IMMUNE™ Resilient (five stars) certification, making it Megaworld’s first IMMUNE™-certified residential building.

Megaworld said it expects to receive two more IMMUNE™ certifications for office buildings 8/10 Upper McKinley and 18/20 Upper McKinley, also in McKinley Hill, after HDBI completes its assessment this month.

1880 Eastwood Avenue, 1880 Eastwood Avenue, eCommerce Plaza, One World Square, Two World Square, 8/10 Upper McKinley, and 18/20 Upper McKinley are among the office properties under the portfolio of MREIT, the real estate investment trust company of Megaworld.

IMMUNE™ is based on a practical investment in a Healthy by Design System (HbDS).

It incorporates a network of specialized sensors measuring indoor environment parameters such as air, humidity, temperature, or CO2 levels, devices and available technologies, specialized equipment, dedicated personnel  nd new amenities, promoting operational and health rules, according to Megaworld.

An authorized building assessor performs the evaluation and recommends a property to become IMMUNE™-certified with one of the three labels: Strong (three stars), Powerful (four stars), or Resilient (five stars).