Fresh off a P1-billion expansion commitment in Cebu City, SM Offices is doubling down on a simple thesis that in property, patience pays.
For Alexis L. Ortiga, vice president and head of SM Offices, growth is a calibrated exercise. “We phase developments carefully, prioritize pre-leasing and remain selective in the tenants we onboard,” he said, underscoring a strategy that favors resilience over rush. In a market navigating geopolitical uncertainty and climate risk, discipline has become a competitive edge.
The pipeline remains robust. By yearend, Bacolod and Cebu will contribute more than 80,000 square meters of new gross leasable area. In Quezon City and Manila’s southern corridor, another 137,000 sq.m. is set to come online.
The expansion reflects a broader economic shift as activity spreads beyond Metro Manila into rising hubs such as Bacolod, Davao City and Iloilo City, fueled in part by sustained IT-BPM growth.
In the Bay Area district, take-up climbed more than 9 percent in 2025 as multinationals and global capability centers pursued higher quality space with better access to major transport links. SM Offices’ footprint in key CBDs positions it to capture that steady demand.
Square meters, however, are only part of the proposition. Integration within the SM ecosystem sharpens the value. Offices connected directly to malls, residences, hotels and transit options reduce daily friction and improve workforce mobility. Design reinforces that promise.
At the E-Com Centers, open-air sky gardens draw inspiration from Hudson Yards and the nearby High Line. Exercise areas, a putting green and an LED Rose Garden create spaces where employees can recharge without leaving the campus.
On the tenant side, Ortiga said success means delivering workplaces that lift productivity, support employee well-being and minimize daily stress through integration with transport and mixed-use components. It also means strong renewals and tenant expansions. “We do not compete on rent alone. We build partnerships for the long term,” he said.
“At the community level, success is reflected in the economic activity our offices help catalyze. When our developments contribute to sustained job creation and stronger local spending, that is tangible, lasting impact for the community,” Ortiga added.
SM Offices also plays a pivotal role within the broader SM Group strategy. “SM Offices is integral to the SM Group’s commitment to nation-building through job creation and infrastructure development. It is also a cornerstone of our live-work-play-learn ecosystem,” Ortiga said.
By 2026, success will show up in healthy occupancy, timely income conversion and assets that retain their quality, while anchoring emerging districts and supporting growth well beyond the capital.
