Piccadilly Circus Landing hosts Umbria Commercial Centerbusiness launch

MANILA, Philippines - In an event that gathered some of the most important names in the retail industry, Piccadilly Circus Landing Inc. (PCLI) announced the launch of Umbria, a lifestyle-oriented community center in Biñan, Laguna, that has 10,000 square meters of gross leasable area and boasts design innovations that will create a new kind of dining, shopping and leisure experience south of Manila.

The business launch gave guests a peek at the exciting things to come in the retail industry landscape, which currently accounts for 15 percent of GNP and continues to grow with the country’s booming middle class and increased consumer spending.

“Our country’s economic performance has given the retail industry the momentum swing to expand further,” said PCLI president Andrew Ng, speaking before an audience of retailers, entrepreneurs and business executives. “A steady consumer spending growth figure and the improved demographics of the middle class and the youth market have led us to launch PCLI’s initial foray into shopping center development: Umbria.”

Umbria is seen to further stimulate retail activity and prime the countryside, where many companies are expanding their businesses and opportunities for growth are springing up.

Anton M. Hechanova, managing director of PCLI-Umbria and managing partner of One A.D. Philippines Group (Umbria’s project director and business advisor), outlined trends in the retail sector, opportunities in the lifestyle-community center developments, strategic business directions, and PCLI’s clear vision of providing a novel, fresh and convenient retail experience that will be in a class by itself.

“Despite the challenges it faces, a resilient retail industry continues to show signs of steady growth,” Hechanova noted. “Demographics and economics continue to fuel the activities as a growing market base, increase in consumer spending, improvements in organized retail infrastructure and changes in tastes and preferences open up new retail opportunities.”

He added that today’s retail business sees a strong link between shopping, dining and recreational activities, thus many “developers and mall operators initiate design upgrades to accommodate recreation and entertainment facilities and more defined end-user services’ offerings.” Moreover, market conditions are favorable for local investments, while consumer buildup and improved consumer sentiment, among other factors, are driving high optimism in the retail sector.

Umbria Commercial Center will have its groundbreaking this March, while project completion will be in the last quarter of the year, in time for the busy retail season.

A commercial hub and architectural display at the same time, Umbria stands out in the progressive city of Biñan with its unique visual identity inspired by the lifestyle centers in the US and the Umbracle Gardens of Valencia, Spain.

Hechanova adds,”Working around the ‘four rights’pillars, Umbria reinforces its vision of commercial success with the right location, right size, right tenant mix and right unique experience.” Its iconic elements, emphasis on design and pedestrian-friendly features as well as the use of specialty lighting, environmental graphics and landscape create a “next to home” appeal.

One of the main attractions of Umbria Center is its accessibility and strategic location in the first-class city of Biñan that has highly populated residential communities and progressive commercial activities.

Also seen during the launch were Christina Miranda and Ronnie Ong (Robinsons Retail Inc.); Robert Kwee (SM Retail Inc.- SM Hypermarket); NercyTorilla (Shopwise); Michael Villan (Ministop); Uly Borral (7-Eleven); Amy Palisoc (The Bistro Group of Restaurants); Elizabeth Whang (Jollibee); Valentin Enriquez (Pizza Hut); John TianSeng and Mariano Cua (Phohoa); Babsee Franco (Goldilocks); Kristoferson Tin (Savory Chicken); Neil Streeter and Michael Lacy (Highlands Coffee); Oliver Andaya and Jane Jalandoni (Hapchan); Joy Mangubat, Kay Samonte and Bernadette Lee (Pancake Group); Evelyn Fung and Peter Fung (Ling Nam); Paolo Bernabe and Jo Bernabe (TuttiFrutti); Dunn Calubad (The Big Chill and Tully’s Coffee); Vincent Morales (Fuji Film); Caloy Sycip and Melissa Vehagen (Azta Urban Salon); Fernando Hilario (Lay Bare); Rodolfo Guerrero (Bioessence); Arch. Julito Iguracion (HBC); and Estel Villanueva (Primer Group), among others.

Umbria is a 10-minute drive from Alabang and is accessible 24/7 to public transportation. People coming from SLEX can take the Carmona-Biñan Exit and Mamplasan Exit, and drive a few minutes before reaching the corner of the old National Highway and Jubilation Road, where the newest retail landmark of the south comes into full view.

Inquiries on Umbria Center are welcome at 0920-914-8077 or e-mail dv3.1ad@gmail.com.