The new office revolution
The office space is a continuously evolving landscape.
For the past decade, we’ve seen the work scene change from cubicle jungles to open offices, from rented building units to work-from-home setups, and from exclusive offices to co-working spaces. With the rise of the digital workforce, however, are offices as we know it about to disappear? Is it still worth investing in a traditional office setup, and what is the outlook for this type of real estate in 2025 and beyond?
Let’s take a look at the future of office spaces in our country today.
Resilience in the Digital Age
In the words of the real estate service company KMC Savills, offices in Metro Manila remain as robust as ever. According to its 3rd Quarter 2024 Metro Manila Office Briefing, the market for offices in Metro Manila remains strong. Despite the exodus of Philippine offshore gaming operators and the popularity of hybrid work setups, there continues to be a substantial demand for office spaces, particularly by companies from the IT-BPM sector.
Makati City, Ortigas Center, and other central business districts continue to remain popular. While vacancy rates are higher than in pre-pandemic years, landlords lowering rental rates helped attract new businesses and retain old customers. The industry, however, may be able to benefit from new ideas that are quickly gaining ground.
Emergence of New Markets
With the emergence of work-from-home and hybrid setups in the Pandemic Era, there is a need to reconsider the office as we know it.
Offices today need to have more flexible and comfortable spaces that put human needs at a priority. Beyond their design, the location of offices may also be evolving. With the decentralization of primary services and the decongestion of cities, more and more companies are also electing to move their operations to progressive provinces. These new changes are challenging developers to recreate the traditional office model.
To suit newfound preferences of clients from various sectors, developers have a unique task in their hands: to build offices that meet work-life balance and complement bucolic environments.
The Workspace Redeveloped
Thankfully, there are developers in the country who rise up to the challenge. One real estate company, in particular, aims to elevate standards by merging functional requirements with sophisticated features.
Known for its premier offerings, Rockwell Land is set to shake things up in the real estate sector with its upcoming office project in Cebu.
1 Rockwell at IPI Center takes into consideration the needs of both traditional and unconventional work setups. Developed in partnership with International Pharmaceuticals Inc., Rockwell Land establishes its signature premier quality to Cebu province in an innovative way.
Having a goal of becoming LEED Silver certified, the designers of the building take pride in its environmental features. 1 Rockwell shall be equipped with EV charging stations, VRF Inverter airconditioning systems, HEPA AC filters and renewable energy provisions that help the environment and reduce business costs. The building will also offer 100 percent back-up power and RFID access to ensure security of operations.
Situated along Pope John Paul II. Avenue in the existing IPI Center, 1 Rockwell will be strategically located near residential communities, leisure areas, and essential providers. It will also offer in-house support through a 24/7 property management office.
While still in its infancy stages, 1 Rockwell at IPI Center will revolutionize Philippine offices. The building is set to stand 19 floors in total, with nine office floors available for sale. The unit cuts range in sizes, from a minimum of 83 sqm to a maximum of 229 sqm. Designed with the latest conveniences and the basic necessities, 1 Rockwell is projected to generate a steady income stream to potential investors and future occupants.
The Recreation of Offices
Overall, Philippine offices have been significantly affected by the 2019 pandemic and changing business models, but they still generate strong demand. The challenge for developers is to meet new market needs through innovative design, new locations and exceptional offerings.
Rockwell Land aims to hit these marks with its new project on the rise—1 Rockwell at IPI Center in Cebu. With its promising features, this project will set the benchmark of future work spaces by ensuring traditional and newfound features are satisfied across a range of industries.
If you want to become part of the new office revolution, check out 1 Rockwell at IPI Center today.
