Gokongwei-led Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC), one of the country’s leading property developers, is spending at least P200 million to upgrade its office buildings with premium amenities and enhanced security features.
In an interview, Jericho P. Go, RLC Senior Vice President and General Manager for Robinsons Offices, said they are allocating approximately P100 million to renovate the lobbies and common areas of eight buildings from 2024 to 2026.
"We are prioritizing the modernization of buildings over 10 years old to prepare them for the future and make them more appealing to the younger generation of workers," Go said. "We will incorporate signature pieces and 'Instagrammable' features."
Robinsons Offices has 33 buildings nationwide, of which less than half are slated for renovation. RLC has nearly doubled its office gross leasable area from less than 500,000 square meters in 2019 to 850,000 sqm by the end of 2024, so most buildings are relatively new.
Addressing the shift in workplace preferences, Go said, "employees are now experiencing fatigue from work from home set-ups and are now more open to going back to the office through a hybrid set-up. Thus we are improving our buildings to make it more appealing to them to come back to the office."
RLC is also investing P5 million to P10 million per building to upgrade security features in 20 existing office buildings. These enhancements will integrate with Robinsons Offices' security app, GoWork, which uses facial recognition technology to grant guests and employees access to turnstiles and elevators.
"The budget is approximately P5 million for buildings with a single entrance and P10 million for those with entry points at the front and back," Go explained.
Despite the oversupply in the office market following the pandemic and the ban on Philippine Online Gaming Operators (POGOs), Robinsons Offices maintains an average occupancy rate in the "high 80s."
Go attributes this to their focus on Grade A buildings, which cater to market demand.
"While surveys indicate higher demand for Grade B buildings, this is mainly for locations outside Metro Manila," he clarified. "Tenants in these areas desire Grade B rental rates but still expect Grade A facilities."
Robinsons Offices recently completed the lobby renovation of Robinsons Summit Center along Ayala Avenue, aligning with its commitment to providing premium, accessible, future-ready, and sustainable workspaces.
“Premiumization is about creating spaces that inspire—not just with their aesthetics but with the opportunities they offer. At Robinsons Offices, we ensure our tenants feel supported, inspired, and ready to conquer the future. Every square meter reflects our unwavering commitment to excellence,” said Go.
He added, "with its newly reimagined lobby, world-class amenities, and commitment to sustainability, Robinsons Summit Center is not just an office—it's a statement, a new benchmark for business prestige in the Philippines."