A new way of working: Silver City brings campus-style offices to the metro
Office spaces in the Philippines generally conform to a certain stereotype: one building 50 stories high, concentrated in one area, and located in a very dense central area. Although offices of this type have served as home to the majority of the country’s business process industry, many companies are beginning to choose more suburban, edgy, and people-oriented workplaces.
Fulfilling that need is Ortigas Land’s Silver City, a high-performance business address designed to support the evolving needs of BPOs and corporate occupiers. Rising in the heart of the company’s main eco-estate, Ortigas East, the office development stands out among the residential and commercial areas.
“Ortigas East was considered a truly integrated area where people can live, work, study, and enjoy recreation in one unified community. The office areas were built to complement the surrounding residential areas and educational institutions, to complete a balanced mix of uses including offices, homes, and retail spaces. The office buildings also bring important job opportunities to the community,” said the Office of the Head of Land Ortiga.
Silver City’s location is one of its strongest advantages. It is only 6 kilometers away from Rizal and Marikina and bounded by major roads such as C5, Ortigas Avenue, and Julia Vargas Avenue in Pasig City. This makes the multi-building office district highly accessible and strategically connected to multiple transportation routes.
“For many passengers, it means thatyou say so‘ easy. This significantly reduces travel time and reduces daily stress,” said Mr. Hernandez.
Another important aspect of Silver City is its campus layout that reflects the structure of the country’s universities, which encourages more cooperation and collaboration between employees and employers.
This is a wide floor plate probably 3,000 square meters is something ideal for BPO and business operations, enabling flexible architecture and efficient workflows. Each building is fully equipped with underground parking and retail offerings, so daily needs are easily met within the same building. Additionally, a low-rise building allows for a quick response during emergencies, providing a safer and more manageable environment compared to higher-rise buildings.
“The campus-style design creates a friendly working environment for employees. With low-rise buildings that rise to only five floors, movement is quick and easy – the elevators are not too crowded, and many employees even choose to use the stairs, naturally encouraging healthy habits,” said Mr. Hernandez.
The Ortigas Land office development also comes with Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA) Accreditation. This indicates that the facility meets high standards for performance, compliance, and sustainability.
“Many companies are now keen to acquire developments that support environmental initiatives and make a positive contribution to society, and PEZA’s approval reinforces Silver City’s commitment to these values,” said Mr. Hernandez.
Among the benefits of being located within a PEZA-approved area are the streamlining of bureaucratic procedures, income tax holidays, exemption from corporate income tax, and duty-free and duty-free importation of goods, equipment, and parts.
Other rights arising from the certificate include exemption from payment of any local government fees, charges, licenses, or taxes; extended withholding tax exemption; and zero-rate VAT for local purchases of goods and services such as land-based telecommunications, electricity, water bills, and building leases, subject to compliance with Bureau of Internal Revenues and PEZA requirements.
“Office spaces today are looking beyond just space – they are looking for purpose, sustainability, and long-term value. The approval of PEZA strengthens the appeal of Silver City 4 by providing financial incentives while also complying with the growing need for responsible development and the future,” explained Mr. Hernandez.
Despite these many advantages, the true appeal of Silver City comes from the community spirit it fosters in relation to the surrounding development. Inside the Ortigas East estate is the vibrant Tiendesitas center for local food and live beats where customers can buy locally made handicrafts or take your fur babies to the petting village. Adjacent to it is Maple at Verdant Towers, a 42-story residential complex offering 692 units on 33 floors and high-end amenities for residents.
Mr. Hernandez added: “Silver City’s unique proposition is found in the integration of real work life. “With Silver City offices, Tiendesitas, SM Hypermarket, and Verdant Towers all nearby, employees enjoy eating, shopping, errands, and relaxing without having to travel far.”
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