Dance, dance, dance

International hotel company Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts is planning to construct a six-star hotel at the Bonifacio Global City.

The Shangri-La group already has three hotels in the country, the Makati Shangri-La; the Shangri-La Edsa Plaza Hotel and the Shangri-La Mactan Hotel in Cebu.

In a statement, Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president and chief executive officer Narciso Abaya said the international hotel chain has already approached them and expressed interest in building in the 1.2-hectare government property located in Taguig.

Abaya said Shangri-La has already proposed its formal plan to the BCDA board early this week. He said the intention of the  Shangri-La Group is a welcome development  in  the overall development of the Bonifacio Global City.

Abaya added that the prime lot is the same land being eyed by billionaire Donald Trump. The retired general said Trump is also planning to put up a hotel. Should the American real estate mogul obtain the rights on the BCDA land, it will be their first project in the country.

Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts vice president Greg Dogan said the property is perfect for a hotel because it is situated right beside the heart of the Bonifacio Global City. The 1.2-hectare land was formerly known as the Government Center for Investment.

Although no decision has been made on who should be able to build on the lot, BCDA chairman Aloysius Santos said the keen interest shown by foreign investors manifests sustained solid investor confidence in the Arroyo administration.

Santos noted that the presentation was on a no-commitment basis. “No decision has been made. The BCDA board is mapping out an action plan for a transparent competitive selection process among the interested proponents,” he said.

The Bonifacio Global City boasts of a central location that is a few minutes away from the Makati and Ortigas Central Business Districts, the airport and major thoroughfares like C-5.