TLDC CEO steers firm to its next phase of growth
Cathy Casares‑Ko believes Torre Lorenzo Development Corp. (TLDC) stands on the brink of its most exciting chapter yet—and with good reason.
As the pioneer of premium university residences in the Philippines, TLDC has remained unrivaled in delivering premier student-centric living spaces over the last 26 years. And in the last decade, that same craftsmanship that firmly established TLDC as a well-respected boutique developer has quietly powered the company’s calibrated expansion into leisure, hospitality, and mixed‑use developments.
It is precisely within this premise that Casares-Ko—the newly appointed and first female chief executive officer of the company—aims to scale TLDC into a fully integrated developer, capable of taking on bigger challenges. She envisions TLDC having a more diversified portfolio and an expanded footprint, without needing to sacrifice the meticulous attention to detail that made the company a trusted name in Philippine real estate.
“I want to look at this era as what would propel TLDC to grow from a boutique firm into a full developer because I believe the organization has been honed to do so much more,” said the newly minted executive, who leads the company alongside its chairman and president Tomas P. Lorenzo.
MARKET CONFIDENCE
“In the past years, we have proved ourselves as very good developers. We know what we’re doing. We know how to target our market. We know how to build for that market. And as any executive, we want to see the company grow. Besides expanding our foot‑ print, I’d like to see us also partnering with either land owners or foreign developers,” she explained.
“Right now, we’re in a good place. That might sound very generic, but that’s really the story. Despite the news that came out about the glut in the last quarter of the year, everybody remained confident. We launched Vertica Torre Lorenzo in the University Belt, and we were able to sell more than expected, which means the market confidence in us is there,” Casares-Ko added.
Casares-Ko disclosed that they are now looking to bring their brand of premium university residences to more locations, this time outside Metro Manila. Also, in the pipe‑ line is a mixed-use development in Pampanga province, while a potential location in Bacolod City is being eyed as the future site for a TLDC project. These are on top of the company’s ongoing projects like Vertica in Manila, Gallery at Torre Lorenzo Loyola, and Crown Residences in Davao City.
STRENGTHENING TALENT ECOSYSTEM
Scale, however, means more than square meters and sales figures. It also demands people.
Casares-Ko’s vision thus extends to strengthening the organization, notably the company’s talent pool, by continuing TLDC’s tradition of providing a conducive, open and nurturing environment. She shared that employees are given ample opportunities to learn, be productive, and be healthy.
This emphasis on human capital is evident in TLDC’s three-year winning streak at the HR Asia “Best Companies to Work For” Awards, voted on by employees themselves. Behind the accolades lie concrete practices with tangible impacts on the employees: subsidized rent for staff in TLDC buildings, regular mental health seminars, and streamlined processes that let project managers focus on design rather than paperwork
“I also envision TLDC becoming a breeding ground for top talent. Of course we don’t want to lose our people, but when they move on, they should be able to carry the ‘Torre Lorenzo badge’ of excellence,” Casares-Ko added.
BALANCING ACT
Clearly, TLDC is already thriving and poised for growth. But Casares-Ko knows that stepping into the CEO role means more than coasting on this momentum.
She thus has a clear gameplan and a vision, acknowledging that the Philippine real estate sector will always have its share of headwinds— cyclical demand swings, regulatory shifts, and evolving work‑from‑home lifestyles— that can’t be met with status-quo thinking.
“The real estate market’s ups and downs are inevitable and we can’t guarantee how things will turn. There’s also that challenge of retaining employees, especially since there are other work options. We need to keep them engaged, motivated. Also, you cannot be complacent because competition will always try to catch up with you. You always have to be two steps ahead,” she added.
For sure, this is going to be one delicate balancing act for Casares-Ko, but her inspired vision, expertise, commitment and compassion only prove that she is truly a natural fit for this leadership role.
