Cebu Landmasters eyes Xavier-Ateneo property

MANILA, Philippines — Cebu Landmasters Inc. (CLI) is eyeing to develop a 63.5-hectare property of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan in Cagayan de Oro City into a premier university town.

The property, known as Manresa, is located in an emerging commercial district in uptown CDO and is also near XU’s 12-hectare basic education campus at Pueblo de Oro.

CLI president and CEO Jose Soberano III said the proposed masterplan would be similar to other campus towns abroad and is expected to unlock the value of the area.

“Our proposed masterplan is inspired not only by the best campuses here and abroad, but also inspired by our deep roots in the Ateneo. We are highly committed to meet their expectations,” he said.

The company has received a notice of interest from Jesuit university XU to develop the property.

The new masterplan, which is subject to final approval of the Jesuit central leadership, will have modern school buildings, dormitories, a main plaza, interconnected courtyards, an amphitheater and a university forum that incorporates a museum, theater and gallery. The masterplan also includes an abundance of open spaces and greenery.

Under the plan, CLI proposes to acquire a 14.3-hectare portion of Manresa to integrate complementary commercial, residential, office and leisure uses to the campus town.

CLI also intends to acquire a portion of the Corrales campus and convert this into downtown CDO’s Central Business District, with XU’s Church of the Immaculate Conception at its heart. These acquisitions will fund the development of the Manresa campus and the redesign of the Corrales campus for XU’s School of Medicine, College of Law, and most of its graduate programs which are envisioned to remain in downtown Divisoria.