DAVAO CITY — Gaisano-owned Grand Land, Inc. is adding a business process outsourcing (BPO) building at its flagship project in the city — the Amani Grand Citygate.

“It is part of the masterplan. We hope to start its construction by fourth quarter of next year. We are just finalizing the building plans,” Grand Land President Ryan Bernard Go said in an interview last week.

The eight-storey BPO building will be constructed on a 3,000-square meter lot in front of four condominiums.

The 10-hectare complex will have four residential buildings with nine to 12 floors, the first of which is targeted to be topped off in January.

“Construction started last year at matatapos na siya (and it will be finished) ahead of schedule. It is more than 90% sold out,” Mr. Go said.

“There will be a commercial arcade also,” he added.

Cebu-based Grand Land, the real estate arm of the Gaisano Grand Group of Companies founded by Benito Sy Gaisano, is keen on pursuing more developments in Davao City following awards received by the Amani Grand Citygate project from DotProperty Southeast Asia Awards, PropertyGuru Philippine Property Awards, and Lamudi Philippines.

“We are happy for our project in Davao City… we are looking forward to create more developments in Davao City,” Mr. Go said.

HOTELS
Meanwhile, Grand Land’s Grand Regal Hotel, formerly the Mercure hotel, in the city is being refurbished and will be re-branded as a business hotel.

“It will undergo a facelift and even the furniture will be replaced. Grand Regal Hotel used to be the first five-star branded hotel in Mindanao. Right now, we are renovating everything. It is still a mid-level hotel and we are not going to do it as a five star,” he said.

The 225-room hotel was first built about 20 years ago.

Mr. Go said they are targeting to complete the renovation by end-2021 and are also planning to use the two-hectare lot at the back of the hotel for a BPO building and a commercial facility.

The renovation is also in preparation for the MICE Con 2020 — the biggest gathering of stakeholders in the meeting, incentives, conferences, and events (MICE) sector — that will be hosted by Davao City next year.

“This hotel is good for the MICE convention. MICE has been strong here in Davao,” he said.

Grand Land has also partnered with Thai hotel management firm Dusit International for several projects, including at least two in Cebu.

“Right now there are two constructions, probably one will be finished next year, and another one hopefully to be finished by 2021,” Mr. Go said.

The joint venture includes Dusit’s ASAI Hotels, a new brand targeted towards millennial travelers. — Maya M. Padillo

RELATED ARTICLESMORE FROM AUTHOR