Dynamic real estate developer Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation (TLDC) confirmed recently that scheduled property turnovers remain on track despite limitations encountered across the real estate industry brought about by the pandemic.
TLDC turned over its premium residences 3Torre Lorenzo on P. Ocampo Street (formerly Vito Cruz) corner Taft Avenue in Manila and Torre Lorenzo Malate (TLM) on Malvar Street in Malate, Manila in December 2021.
Sustaining growth momentum
Work continues in several TLDC real estate developments in Metro Manila and in key economic centers across the country. The 35-storey premium residential development Torre Lorenzo Loyola in Katipunan, Quezon City was topped off and is on track to completion and turnover in 2023. TLDC also launched a second residential tower at Tierra Lorenzo Lipa in Batangas, the city’s first urban lifestyle center and mixed-use development. Continuous development is likewise ongoing for 5-star accommodations and amenities at Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort in the Davao Gulf.
Says TLDC Chief Operations Officer Cathy Casares-Ko: “The pandemic gave us an opportunity to pivot to what works for our stakeholders. We have implemented agile and flexible work arrangements as we balanced the safety of our employees and the need to prepare for resumption of full operations. What was critical, after ensuring the health and safety of our teams, was that construction continued on schedule at our project sites while adhering to strict health protocols and government ordinances.”
Cathy Casares-Ko is the most recent addition to the forward-thinking TLDC leadership team led by CEO Tomas Lorenzo. As Chief Operations Officer, she ensured that the TLDC organization is equipped to quickly respond to changes in the very volatile environment. “Even prior to the pandemic, TLDC has embedded initiatives in its operations and residential plans that anticipate new ways of living and working, such as advanced safety and security features in our buildings, spacious and well-thought of amenities, and provision for high-speed internet. When the pandemic hit, we strengthened and accelerated these innovations that are already in place,” shares Casares-Ko. The TLDC management team is composed of seasoned industry veterans Emmanuel Rapadas, Chief Finance Officer; Lalaine Liamzon Regino, Chief Strategy Officer; and Ricardo Jacinto, Executive Committee Consultant.
Adapting and innovating
Beyond the quick implementation of agile and flexible work arrangements, the safety and security of both employees and the property residents remained on top of the list of priorities. Employees reporting onsite were supported in terms of transportation and regular testing.
Understanding early that quarantine-imposed restrictions would hamper mobility and face-to-face initiatives, TLDC shifted to online channels for queries and requests, launched virtual tours, and intensified digital selling training across the TLDC team.
A critical innovation was the creation of 1Point – a one-stop shop for clients for customer service and collection, documentation, and turnover of units. For clients, 1Point is their single point of contact for all post-purchase needs making their interaction with TLDC more efficient and convenient.
For prospective buyers, TLDC launched the Lease to Own program which offered more flexible pathways to property ownership where potential buyers could move into an available unit while paying towards ownership of that unit. The Lease to Own program was piloted in Tierra Lorenzo Lipa in Batangas and Torre Sur in Las Piñas.
Armed with an optimistic outlook, TLDC is designing its future projects to adapt to the changing needs of its clients in a “new normal” environment. This includes space provisions for deliveries and service providers, intensified safety protocols for social distancing and minimal contact, and open-air amenities for relaxation and leisure.
Says COO Cathy-Casares Ko, “As TLDC grows, stakeholders, investors, and employees grow with us. Our investors grow with us because we don’t just give them fair deals, but more than what they expect when they invest in our properties. Our economy grows as we continue to invest in key emerging cities outside Metro Manila that have the potential to become new business hubs in the years to come.”