The Curve: ‘Sexy’ BGC office tower attracts more locators

MANILA, Philippines - As with other buildings designed by world-renowned architectural firm Skidmore Owings and Merrill, the 32-story The Curve in Bonifacio Global City is highly likely to become an architectural landmark and prestigious office address upon completion in October this year.

The office tower derives its name from its silhouette which tapers as it rises to a height of 137 meters, according to Lylah Fronda-Ledonio, executive director of commercial leasing at Leechiu Property Consultants, a leading real estate services firm.

The asymmetric building, with two unidentical sides when viewed from its centerline, is already catching the attention of motorists and pedestrians along busy 32nd St., one of the main access roads to the central business district. Consequently, inquiries about the highly visible structure from expanding businesses, IT-BPO companies and other locators, have been increasing.

“They recognize that good building design coupled with the strategic location of The Curve could mean good business for them,” said Ledonio, a key executive of LPC, now currently marketing 30 projects across Metro Manila and Cebu City covering a total of 764,000 sqm.

LPC also provides leasing, investments and consulting services, and is the Philippine partner of CBRE, the world’s largest real estate services firm.

New York-based Skidmore Owings and Merrill, for its part, is a multi-awarded architectural, engineering and urban planning firm known for iconic buildings with forward-looking and distinct designs that have withstood the test of time. The Curve is highly likely to share this heritage.

Still another key attraction of The Curve is its location within a special economic zone in BGC called e-Square, accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority. This means IT-BPO locators are entitled to tax incentives. In fact, the tower is the only PEZA-accredited building that will be completed this year, Ledonio said.

IT-BPO firms will also appreciate that The Curve will be handed over to tenants with built-in raised floors so they can reconfigure their work spaces and broadband connections as needed with greater ease, she added.

The highly visible office tower, which has earned LEED certification because of its sustainability and energy-saving features, is a joint venture between Suyen Corp., which includes retail giant Bench in its portfolio, and Megawide Construction Corp., a listed construction firm setting the benchmark for engineering excellence. These two industry leaders have fused their capabilities to come up with a distinct office development targeted towards cutting-edge corporate locators, Ledonio said.

The Curve’s proximity to world-class medical institution St. Luke’s Global City offers a labor advantage to locators, said Ledonio. By law, firms with 50 or more employees are required to offer emergency medical and dental services and facilities, but this provision is waived if those same services are professionally available nearby.

Tenants will likewise benefit from the easy access of The Curve to another BGC destination, S&R Membership Shopping, and other nearby restaurants and retail establishments. It is also within strolling distance of Shangri-La at The Fort and Bonifacio High Street’s and Burgos Circle’s range of dining and retail options that offer opportunities for work-life balance.