How Robinsons Land built a legacy of firsts

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For their 45th anniversary, we look back at how RLC has turned ideas into trusted milestones.

In real estate, you need steady foresight and consistent follow-through to deliver homes and establishments that stand the test of time. Few local companies have accomplished this feat, with Robinsons Land Corporation (RLC) among those leading the pack in progressing the Filipino real estate industry as we know it today.

To commemorate its 45th year, we look back at the innovative milestones that have allowed RLC to build not just structures, but a legacy of firsts.

Solid first steps

Before it became a household name, the seeds for Robinsons Land were planted when John Gokongwei Jr. ventured into property development in 1976 with the construction of the Manila Midtown Ramada Hotel in Ermita. At a time when the country’s hospitality scene was still finding its footing, the venture reflected the vision of RLC’s founder. The hotel wasn’t just a business decision; it symbolized a belief in a better kind of urban life.

By 1980, Robinsons Land Corporation was formally incorporated and subsequently grew to become one of the country’s most trusted developers. Just nine years later, the company was listed on the Philippine Stock Exchange – a milestone that proved beneficial for early stakeholders.

Firsts that changed the way we live, work, and connect

Among RLC’s early innovations, Robinsons Place Manila stood out as one of the Philippines’ first community malls when it opened in the early 1980s. Located beside the Manila Midtown Hotel, it served as a neighborhood destination long before the term became trendy, complete with dining, shopping, and services all in one convenient space.

In 1990, RLC introduced another game-changer: Robinsons Galleria is the first fully integrated mixed-development. Combining a mall, office towers, a hotel, and residential buildings in a single complex, it redefined what urban living could look like.

Perhaps more notably, it did so in Ortigas, which was a relatively underdeveloped business district at the time. Today, both Robinsons Galleria and Robinsons Manila continue to serve as vital commercial and civic hubs in their respective cities, standing as enduring symbols of progress and community.

Over the years, Robinsons Land also helped bring public service closer to Filipinos through Lingkod Pinoy Centers offering government services and by launching RLX, the first branded grade A warehouse facility to support the country’s growing e-commerce and supply chain industries.

Never losing sight of its core vision to provide vibrant and livable communities for Filipinos, RLC ushered in Robinsons Destination Estates in the 2020s.

Master-planned developments like Bridgetowne (in Pasig and Quezon City), Montclair (Pampanga), and Sierra Valley (Taytay and Cainta) have championed the “Live-Work-Play-Inspire” lifestyle, offering thoughtfully designed environments where people and businesses can flourish together.

After making its mark in various market segments, Robinsons Land’s hospitality arm, Robinsons Hotels and Resorts (RHR), has ventured into the luxury hospitality space. It recently launched the first and only ultra-luxury NUSTAR hotel outside of Metro Manila at the NUSTAR Resort and Casino in Cebu.

The integrated resort complex also hosts RHR’s Fili hotel, the first Filipino-branded five-star hotel, where you can experience Filipino hospitality at its finest, and the upcoming Grand Summit, a lifestyle celebrations hotel.

These properties have set new benchmarks in design, service, and accommodations, reinforcing RHR’s ambition to lead across a wide range of property segments.

Building for the future

RLC’s commitment to sustainability has also earned it a reputation as one of the country’s greenest developers. Many of its properties have been certified under LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), systems that reflect global best practices in green building and resource efficiency through every stage of development.

The company’s sustainability efforts extend beyond certification. Its office buildings division, Robinsons Offices, has rolled out Sky Farm rooftop gardens in partnership with FarmTop and added solar panels and low-emissivity glass to improve energy efficiency at its properties.

Similarly, its commercial centers division, Robinsons Malls, currently has 24 malls equipped with onsite solar power sources, with more in the pipeline. These efforts are part of RLC’s broader goal to create low-carbon, resilient spaces not just for the communities of today, but also for the generations to come.

As for the future, the company plans to construct 12 new malls from 2025 to 2030 outside of Metro Manila as part of its Vision 5-25-30, a strategic roadmap to achieve P25 billion in net income by its 50th anniversary in 2030.

By looking ahead but never forgetting its roots, RLC has grown alongside the communities it serves. Forty-five years later, its developments remain places where memories are made, families find their homes, and businesses grow and thrive. It is this unique blend of bold vision and grounded service that has made each of RLC’s milestones matter. – Rappler.com

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