Every fresh start gives us an opportunity to reflect on the year that was – the opportunities we are grateful for, hopeful as we move forward to a new year.
For AyalaLand Estates, a leader in master-planned and mixed-use development, much can be said about how the community has come together and grown despite unprecedented challenges in 2021. More than just transforming land into businesses, industries and residential spaces, at its heart were the communities – seen in the way people continued to celebrate the traditions and uphold values that mattered most.
Here are its top 10 things to be thankful for in 2021:
1. Growing to new locations, locators and partners
Continuing to spread growth in areas outside of Metro Manila, Ayala Land officially launched South Coast City at the South Road Properties in Cebu City in June of 2021. Developed in partnership with SM Prime Holdings Inc., South Coast City is a 26-hectare waterside development poised to be the new home of prime entertainment and commercial concepts in Cebu. As the first master-planned integrated development in southern Cebu, it aims to contribute to Cebu’s economic recovery efforts by further enhancing the region’s offerings and generating significant employment and investments.
The shophouse district in Cresendo in Tarlac was also introduced to suit the needs of investors that are looking for properties that are strategically located and flexible in terms of use. This showcases prime commercial space while allowing the flexibility to use the upper floors possibly for residential or office use – reflecting the shift in market behavior towards compact, multi-use neighborhoods.
Partnerships were also forged in existing estates to enhance the offerings within the developments. These include schools such as Miriam College and Holy Angel University in Alviera and Don Bosco in Cresendo. Retail brand, Waltermart, is currently constructing in Altaraza in Bulacan and The Junction Place in Quezon City, while office locators are also constructing their office buildings in Nuvali and Arca South. The opening of the Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, lifestyle market, Jollibee also welcomed the community with more lifestyle and dining options during the holiday season.
2. Enhanced community experiences
As many opted to stay within their bubbles with the continuing pandemic, the various Ayala Land estates created pocket events, online experiences and safe spaces for the community to still interact despite the restrictions. This was especially important to ease the fatigue of staying home for over a year. Many appreciated the value of parks and open spaces, neighborhood restaurants and markets, outdoor events and wellness activities.
3. A shot of confidence
With the rest of the Ayala Group of Companies, the Ayala Vaccination and Immunization Program (AVIP) was rolled out to encourage and facilitate the vaccination of employees (direct and outsourced), retirees, registered employee dependents, household staff, and partners. Ayala Land also opened its malls as vaccination sites, including a drive-thru vaccination service at Circuit Makati as well as drive-thru PCR testing at Vertis North, to continue to support the national government’s efforts to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
4. Lessons for a better normal
The company learned much from how communities have adapted in the last two years. It showed what stakeholders value most – family, safety and security. While the estates continue to support this change in lifestyle, Ayala Land also believes that this is an opportunity evolve into a better normal. This strengthens the company’s thrust to create sustainable and resilient master-planned estates across the country.
5. Quickly adapting to digitalization
This pandemic has only fast-tracked what ALI had already started in 2019, which is the transformation of its digital infrastructure. To better serve its customers amidst the limitation of less face-to-face interaction, AyalaLand Estates upgraded its virtual tours and launched a new sales portal for easily accessible sales tools and real-time sales updates on its website.
6. Providing a platform for success
To support its communities, especially small and medium enterprises (SMEs) during these challenging times, ALI launched the Alagang AyalaLand program. Apart from providing spaces in its estates and within Ayala Malls, the Alagang AyalaLand program also ensures that entrepreneurs and cooperatives are also supported across all of Ayala Land’s business units, including its estates, offices, construction, and property management groups.
In 2021, the Alagang AyalaLand Centers supported more than 400 social enterprises and generated at least 4,000 jobs for the community. Some estates have also allotted spaces wherein some groups can propagate high-quality tree and plant specimens which ALI then purchases for its requirements.
7. Celebrating the reason of the season
Restrictions required a shift in perspective of how to create safe experiences for the community. Ayala Land saw this as an opportunity to highlight the importance of Filipino traditions in celebrating the holidays with families and loved ones. The estates continued to host Simbang Gabi masses – whether drive-thru or at parks, safe outdoor spaces for dining, holiday bazaar shopping, and celebrating songs and carols thru an online Christmas concert and the 2nd virtual edition of the iconic and well-loved Festival of Lights.
8. Hard-earned Recognition
While Ayala Land strengthened its efforts to adapt and innovate, the company was recognized with numerous accolades along the way. The Ayala Land group of companies garnered over 200 awards in property development, sustainability, finance, management, marketing, construction, and safety from local and international award-giving bodies in 2021.
9. Being a catalyst of growth
As it continues to build integrated, sustainable, master planned estates, Ayala Land has become a catalyst in spreading economic development throughout the country. Its 31 estates have not only become business districts where commercial activity gravitates, but also centers for lifestyle and activity, and preferred neighborhoods to live in.
10. An opportunity to help
Super Typhoon Odette capped the year with massive destruction for Filipinos in the Visayas and Mindanao. To this day, three weeks after, many are still in the dark without electricity in their homes. While they were themselves affected, Ayala Land’s people on the ground were quick to provide water and power within our estates. ALI also provided water and over P1.5 million worth of relief packs for our neighboring barangays through Alagang AyalaLand.
2021 was quite a year for Ayala Land, and with the many plans in store for the estates, 2022 looks even more promising for its communities.
Read more: https://business.inquirer.net/338378/ayala-land-estates-and-the-year-that-was
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