Real Estate Market Flourishes As Fort Bonifacio Grows

Fort Bonifacio is just one of the many financialmany of the country's top captive BPO
districts flourishing in the Philippines. From an oldcompanies, such as HSBC, Deutsche Bank and JP
army post to a thriving potential financial capital,Morgan Chase, has recently declined in rental rates
the Fort is proving its worth as a pot of gold forfor prime office space, suffering a drastic
the local real estate market. As business prospersdecrease of around 35% in the last quarter of
in the area, luxury residences and office buildings2009. In contrast, Fort Bonifacio's rental rates
are rising up from the fields and empty lots. Realhave only decreased by 17%. The Fort is
estate developers and brokers are also expandingcurrently the best alternative to Makati CBD in
operations in the district to provide for theterms of real estate and office spaces.
increasing housing demand. This has created anFuture plans for Fort Bonifacio include the
unprecedented boom for the Philippine real estateestablishment of the country's tallest buliding,
industry, as more and more foreign investorswhich is set to beat out the current title holder:
inject capital into Fort Bonifacio and theMakati's 52-story PBCom Tower. Federal Land will
surrounding vicinity.construct the 66-storey skyscraper at the heart
Fort Bonifacio, formerly known as Fort McKinley,of the Fort. It's first 25 floors will be occupied by
is a 25.78 square kilometer historical landmark withthe Grand Hyatt Hotel. Condominiums in the Fort
a colorful past. Unlike today, Fort Bonifacio usedare also competing in number against Makati's
to be home to the Armed Forces of theprime units.
Philippines, and was a barren piece of land.According to Michael McCullough, Director of
Establishing malls and highrise buildings may seemMakati-based real estate brokerage company
ironic due to its proximity to the Libingan ng mgaKMC-MAG Group, "Real-estate in Fort Bonifacio
Bayani and the Manila American Cemetery.has already seen an increase of demand since the
Despite this, its distance between Makati CBD andfirst quarter of 2010. Prices are already
Ortigas has made it a top choice for real estatecomparable to real-estate in Makati, with buildings
investors and clients.primarily catered toward the growing BPO
In 2009, Fort Bonifacio recorded the largestindustry. First-class rental and selling rates, new
number of new office space occupied- aroundfacilities and prime locationing mean that more
62,000 square meters. Despite the GlobalBPO companies will be looking to make long term
Economic Crisis, the Fort is still thriving atreal-estate investments in the Fort as the district
establishing businesses in the area andcontinues to thrive."
constructing infrastructure. Two Serendra is underKMC-MAG Group is a brokerage company that
construction, Shangri-La has started breakingassists clients interested in establishing business in
ground, St. Luke's Medical Center has evenThe Fort, and other business districts in the
established a Global City branch, and BPOPhilippines. They also provide top-notch service to
companies are continuing to expand in the district.clients in need of office or residential space.
Investing in real estate is considered the bestWhether for rent, lease or sale, KMC and it's
option for those who wish to live in a continuallyexperienced team of brokers will guide you along
expanding Fort Bonifacio.the way.
The Makati Central Business District, home to