Florete Land, Inc. to develop Pazuela de Iloilo

Florete Land, Inc. (FLI), the property development company of Ilonggo media mogul Dr. Rogelio Florete, surprisingly unveiled at the Iloilo-Guimaras Investment Forum held in Makati City last September 4, 2009, a remarkable, albeit unexpected project that created quite a stir with the Ilonggo online community within the Skyscraper City forums – the Plazuela de Iloilo.

According to a Bombo Radyo online report, FLI envisions the Plazuela de Iloilo to be a foreign
and local investment destination. The future commercial hub, which would be strategically located at FLI’s property along B. Aquino Ave. (Iloilo-Jaro West Diversion Road) and adjacent to the defunct Iloilo Corporate Center development, the future Megaworld Business Park and the SM City-Iloilo, would have Spanish and Italian-inspired structures designed by Palafox & Associates. The two-level structures would have retail stores, coffee shops and restaurants at the first level and business process outsourcing (BPO) companies at the second level.

When operational, the Plazuela de Iloilo would boast of 24/7 security for tenants, businessmen and customers, as one of its key features, worthy of a “business hub to reckon with”.

This bystander’s fellow SSC-Iloilo forumer oboi provided additional details about the Plazuela de Iloilo:

•     Lot Area = 12,533 sq. m.
•     Elevation = 2.05 m. above B. Aquino Ave. pavement as a hedge against flooding
•     Leasable Areas = 8,600 sq. m. (36 units)
•     Structures = 3 buildings, administration office, concert stage
•     Parking slots > 100 cars
•     Ground breaking – Q4 2009
•     Construction period – 12 months

Plazuela de Iloilo is just part of the continuing development of the Mandurriao area bounded by B. Aquino Ave. and the old Iloilo Airport property of Megaworld. When fully realized, the area would be transformed into Iloilo City’s new Central Business District (CBD). Existing and operating developments include the Smallville Hotel, Restaurant and Entertainment Complex, the Boardwalk Restaurant and Entertainment Complex and the SM City-Iloilo Complex, among others. Ongoing developments include the Ateneo de Iloilo Campus and other KAPIDECO projects, while future developments, besides Plazuela de Iloilo, include Ayala’s BPO Facilities and – the most highly-anticipated development in the city and the whole Western Visayas Region – the Megaworld Business Park.

Iloilo City indeed, is “The Next Big Thing” in this part of the Philippines.