Soon to rise above the Cebu City skyline is a property that blurs the line between a home, hotel, and architectural icon. Although due to be completed in 2023, The Suites at Gorordo by Worldwide Central Properties Inc. (WCPI) is already making waves due to its groundbreaking design and unprecedented luxury.
Fresh off a win at the 2021 Philippine Property Awards, we hear from Leslie Ngo, CEO of WCPI, about what it takes to build an iconic landmark.
It starts with location. The Suites at Gorordo is located at the intersection of Archbishop Reyes and Gorordo, two major roads that converge in the heart of Cebu, giving residents access to an enviable list of amenities and conveniences.
“It is located just a few steps from Cebu Business Park, with hospitals, churches, hotels, restaurants, and office buildings right in the vicinity,” says Ngo.
The Suites at Gorordo boasts a unique and unmistakable design, which Ngo says was inspired by the Flatiron Building in New York City due to its similar location at a converging intersection. “We wanted to build a truly iconic structure,” says Ngo.
WCPI collaborated with internationally acclaimed Filipino architects JSLA and H1 to design a sleek tower rising from the city center with a glass crown at its pinnacle.
“Our intention was to create a modern structure that represents Cebu’s identity as a cosmopolitan and forward-looking city,” says Ngo. “We wanted to create something that Cebuanos would be proud of.” And it is not just Cebuanos that are taking notice. The Suites at Gorordo recently won Best High-rise Condo Development at the 2021 Philippine Property Awards, judged by a panel of local and regional leaders in real estate.
A distinctive factor about the property is that it will be entirely managed by Singapore-based hospitality firm The Ascott Limited and will feature the country’s first Somerset serviced residences outside Metro Manila. Roughly half the units will consist of serviced residences under the Somerset brand, while the other half will be residential. But all units will have access to the distinctive hospitality services that the property is known for, with separate amenities to give guests and residents more privacy, including a sky garden, swimming pool, fitness center, and co-working spaces, to name a few.
Ascott will operate the Somerset serviced residences, as well as carry out property management for the entire property. “We chose Ascott because we wanted to partner with a global market leader among serviced residence operators,” says Ngo. “But we also tapped them to be the property manager for the residences to give our homeowners access to services similar to living in a luxury hotel every day.”
The Suites at Gorordo is also unique for its emphasis on sustainability and wellness. Suites feature three-meter floor-to-ceiling height for better cross ventilation and inflow of natural light. For materials, the property uses eco-friendly engineered wood, energy efficient lighting, and Low-E double-glazed glass windows for protection from noise and UV rays. But above all, says Ngo, it is designed to promote comfort and wellness among its occupants—its low density layout, sky garden, and ample open spaces aim to provide the feeling of space without sacrificing advantages of living in the city center.
What’s next for WCPI? With construction of The Suites well underway, the developer is again collaborating with The Ascott Limited to put up another property in Cebu under their Citadines brand.
“We’re targeting those who want a home for every stage of their life, with an emphasis on healthy living,” says Ngo.
For now, Ngo’s projects are focused on her beloved city of Cebu. “Cebu has everything. We have all the amenities we need in the city center, but at the same time, the beaches and mountains are just an hour away.”
It is that balance of having everything within reach, but at a rhythm that is slower and more relaxed that forms the perfect backdrop for The Suites at Gorordo and the unique properties that are coming to define Cebu’s dynamic cityscape.