Udenna’s Global Gateway Development Corp. (GGDC) is setting the foundation for the next business district to rise inside the Clark.
The 177-hectare Clark Global City (CGC) is among the four major investment districts in Clark.
CGC was previously envisioned as an aviation-focused logistics park exclusively developed by GGDC. When the Udenna Group took over in 2017, it renewed its lease agreement over the estate to run until 2085 and amended the masterplan with a vision of developing the area as the next central business district – maximizing allowable building heights and floor area ratios, opening additional access points, right-sizing the lot cuts to the needs of the market, and welcoming local partners in developing the leasehold.
The development is being positioned as a CBD in Clark, given its strategic location in a freeport zone; proximity to major infrastructure developments such as the expansion of the Clark International Airport, the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway Connector Road, Subic-Clark Cargo Railway, and PNR North Railway; and access to young and highly skilled talents.
Under Dennis Uy’s Udenna, about $5 billion in infrastructure is seen to go to CGC in the first 10 years of its development.
Evan McBride, Udenna Development Corp. (Udevco) chief finance officer, said of the amount, around $200 million will go for the land’s development while the rest will go to investments on properties such as offices buildings, commercial spaces, and even a casino complex.
Of the lined up projects, five office buildings will be undertaken by Udenna (two completed and three under construction) and a casino complex that will be developed under unit PH Resorts Group Holdings Inc. and will be up by 2022, said McBride.
The casino complex, still on the drawing board, will occupy at least 10 hectares in the property.
“We are developing what will become the Philippines’ new center of business, life, and innovation. Clark Global City will offer a global business destination and (will) spur economic transformation outside of Metro Manila, complementing the government’s efforts to spread growth across the country,” said Uy, Udenna chairman.
Medical City and more
When Udenna took over GGDC, the completed vertical infrastructure within CGC included a 173-bed hospital, The Medical City, and two top-grade office buildings with 57,000 square meters (sq.m.) of leasable office and retail space.
GGDC continues to sign locators to accelerate development.
In March, GGDC signed W Group Inc., for the latter’s lease on a 21,918-sq.m. lot in CGC, to be developed into a mixed-use development with a time-bound option to sublease an additional 14,065-sq. m. It also signed Proactive Properties Development Corp. for a sublease agreement over a 2,208-sq.m. lot for a mixed-use development.
In February, the company signed Suyen Corp., the group behind the Bench brand, for the lease of a 2,886-sq.m. land for its office tower for lease.
GGDC recently contracted Excelsium Inc. to develop over 130 hectares of remaining undeveloped areas in CGC.
GGDC has also signed property group SM Prime Holdings Inc., last year for a 10-hectare lot, becoming its anchor tenant in the area. SM Prime will initially lease five hectares, with an option to lease five hectares more in the next three years.
Locators can enjoy a lease of up to 67 years after Udenna managed to extend its lease from the government by another 25 years, from the original 50 since when it was won by the original developer of the property — Kuwaiti KGL Investment Co., (KGLI) — nine years ago.
Most favorable district
Leechiu Property Consultants has cited Udenna’s master-planned development as the main driver of office demand in Clark, the second-largest office market in the Philippines.
David Leechiu, Leechiu Property Consultants president, said the ongoing government focus on infrastructure has turned Clark into the most favorable district outside Metro Manila for both Philippine offshore gaming operators and information technology-business process management companies.
As of the first half of 2019, Clark accounted for 23,000 sq.m. of office takeup.
Udenna’s ideal location within a special economic zone and near major thoroughfares provides a distinct advantage. The area has a pool of diverse talents.
Situated within the Clark Freeport Zone, the development offers the benefits of an ideal regulatory, economic, and operating environment.
“Clark Global City also offers direct access to the Clark International Airport, which sits about 7.5 kilometers or 10 minutes away by car. The new terminal, under construction, will have a direct link to the existing road leading to the development,” Leechiu said.
GGDC said prospective locators will also benefit from the completion of the NLEX-SLEX Connector Road, Subic-Clark Cargo Railway, and PNR North Railway in the next two to three years.
The planned PNR North Railway, for one, will create access to a bigger talent pool.
The mass transportation system designed to carry 350,000 passengers daily will link the National Capital Region and Central Luzon.
SOURCE:
Ruelle Castro (22 August 2019). New center of business rises Retrieved from https://www.malaya.com.ph/business-news/special-features/new-center-business-rises