ArthaLand: Philippines’ foremost developer of green office buildings

MANILA, Philippines — ArthaLand is making its mark as the country’s foremost developer of green office buildings. It all started last year with the opening of the 31-storey ArthaLand Century Pacific Tower (ACPT) in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

ACPT is a multi-award winning Premium Grade office development recognized both locally and internationally. Among others, it was the 5-star winner for Best Office Architectural Design in Asia at the 2017 Asia Property Awards, as well as the winner for Best Green Development and Best Office Architectural Design at the 2017 Philippines Property Awards.

It has received the US Green Building Council’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum rating and the Philippine Green Building Council’s Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence (BERDE) 5-star certification, the highest and most prestigious categories in both green building ratings. 

Signature office in Cebu 

Following the success of ACPT, ArthaLand is currently in the midst of constructing the Cebu Exchange, a landmark business ecosystem at the gateway of the Cebu IT Park.

Recognized as the Best Office Development in the Philippines by the 2018 Property Guru Asia Property Awards, Cebu Exchange is envisioned to be the best and biggest single-tower green office development in the country, with approximately 11 hectares of floor space.

On track for its 2021 turnover, Cebu Exchange holds the distinction of being the largest, green high-rise in the Visayas and Mindanao, which is on target to achieve dual building certifications from LEED and BERDE.  

ArthaLand is currently in the midst of constructing the Cebu Exchange, a landmark business ecosystem at the gateway of the Cebu I.T. Park. Photo Release

New capital in Taguig  

Launched in the first quarter of 2019, construction is also already underway for the Savya Financial Center—a Grade A mid-rise office development, with a fully integrated retail component.

Situated in the highly connected new business district of ARCA South in Taguig City, both the North and South Towers of Savya are designed and built with modern, smart, and sustainable building features.

It is also qualified for dual certification in both LEED and BERDE, much the same way as all the other ArthaLand offices.  

Value of sustainability 

“When we decided to dedicate ourselves to developing sustainable properties, obviously we were thinking of how the market would receive it being a publicly-listed company. But it was also a commitment by the major shareholders to attend to the concern for the environment,” said Jaime González, vice chairman, president, and chief executive officer of ArthaLand. 

"Artha" is a Sanskrit word connoting purpose, knowledge, significance, and wealth. Not just wealth in material terms but, more importantly, in the enduring intangibles such as comfort, health, and happiness. These concepts characterize ArthaLand’s commitment to sustainability.  

“That defines our philosophy. It is not just about making money. We want to take care of the environment. We want to leave a lasting legacy behind,” González said.  

The 31-storey ArthaLand Century Pacific Tower in Bonifacio Global City is a multi-award winning Premium Grade office development recognized both locally and internationally. Photo Release

Being green is paying off for the company as there is a rising demand for LEED- and BERDE-certified sustainable office buildings, especially among multinational companies, due to the positive impact in saving the environment.

Green buildings also allow businesses and organizations to maximize their operational efficiency, lower day-to-day costs, and provide a healthier, more comfortable, and more productive work environment.  

“We are expanding our development space fivefold over the next few years, and each development will be sustainable,” González said.

With several projects in the pipeline, the company is expected to reach 550,000 square meters of gross floor area.