Eton Properties breaks ground of new Makati project

As published in Business Mirror on May 31, 2016

LUCIO TAN­LED Eton Properties Philippines Inc. broke ground on its 1­hectare, mixed­use project in West Makati, Eton WestEnd Square.

Located at the corner of Malugay and Yakal streets in Makati City, the development will be comprised of eWestPod, a business­process outsourcing building; eWestMall, a boutique mall; and Blakes Tower, a high­rise residential condominium that will join the already existing Belton Place. Taking inspiration from London's West End, the development will feature a unique blend of boutique shops, artisanal and casual­dining restaurants, offices catering to the outsourcing trade and residential spaces.

Blakes Tower will be a 46­story residential condominium offering amenities that complement and enhance city living. An English garden, a hallway for contemporary art, a fitness gym, jogging trails, swimming pools, a film and music room, a recreational room, an events hall and a kid's playroom, among many others, will be in place. Blakes Tower is themed and consciously designed to evoke apartments that one sees in London's flats, mews and boutique hotels.

eWestPod will be made up of four floors intended for office spaces and BPO companies. eWestMall will have two levels of retail spaces to serve the community of residents, office workers, professionals, students and health­care workers in the bustling neighborhood of West Makati.

"Eton WestEnd Square is a fitting reference to a location west of the traditional Makati Central Business District now undergoing gentrification driven by the growth of the business district and the demand for living spaces that's a short walk away from workplaces," said Josefino C. Lucas, deputy chief operating officer of Eton Properties. "The project is envisioned to be a living ecosystem of its own, a lifestyle that can be embraced and enjoyed, curated yet attainable by all."

The start of the construction of Eton WestEnd Square ushers in the start of the company's expanding its footprint in more locations across the country.

Present during the groundbreaking were Sam Santos of Arknet; Abelardo "Jojo" Tolentino, AIDEA CEO; Josefino Lucas, Eton Properties deputy COO; Joseph Chua, COO; Wilfredo Pineda, CFO;  KarluT. Say, Group head; Marie Angeli Samala, first vice president for Property Management Group and Purchasing; Cecille Torres of BKAsia; Julie May Abalos, officer in charge for Business Development; and Carlos B. Carlos, vice president for Technical Services.