The Podium
Project
DeveloperKeppel Land Inc.
BDO Unibank
ArchitectArquitectonica and Felix S. Lim and Associates
Websitethepodium.com.ph
Physical features
Divisions
Location
Map
Coordinates: 14°35′06″N 121°03′32″E / 14.585°N 121.059°E / 14.585; 121.059
CountryPhilippines
CityMandaluyong

The Podium is a mixed-use development located along ADB Avenue in the Ortigas Center, a major business and commercial district in Mandaluyong, Philippines. It was developed in December 2001 and officially opened in August 2002 as a joint project of Singaporean company, Keppel Land, and BDO Unibank.[1]

The mixed-use development has a floor area of 140,000 m2 (1,500,000 sq ft) and consists of a shopping mall of the same name, which has a floor area of 50,000 m2 (540,000 sq ft) and two office buildings built on top of it, having a total floor area of 90,000 m2 (970,000 sq ft).[2] The buildings are the BDO Corporate Center and The Podium West Tower[3] which were built in 2015 and 2019.

A six-level expansion (Phase 2), located beside the main mall, was opened on October 27, 2017. The expansion will also include a podium within the towers, and was opened on 2019. The main building (Phase 1) entered renovation works following the opening, and was completed in December 2018.

History

Logo until 2023, before the rebranding

The mall was opened in 2002, a few meters walk from SM Megamall and beside the Benguet Center building which is the headquarters of BDO Unibank until 2011. This gave the mall's expansion and was opened around 2017.

In September 2019, Halimah Yacob, the President of the Republic of Singapore, graced the grand opening of the new Podium in Manila. She was in Manila for a state visit to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and the Philippines.[4]

On March 27, 2023, BDO Unibank announced that it would take full ownership of the Podium complex after its board approved the acquisition of shares of its partners in the SM Keppel Land Inc. (SMKL) joint venture. [5][6]

Features

Designed with a modern mix of glass, curves and green. The Podium features intricate architectural accents and a living green wall facade. It also features three Director's Club Cinemas that were opened on December 15, 2018.[7]

Awards

The Podium was awarded the LEED Gold Mark (Core & Shell) pre-certification by the US Green Building Council and is also the first building in the Philippines to receive the provisional Green Mark Gold Award by the Building and Construction Authority of Singapore.[8]

References

  1. ^ Philippines President Arroyo opens The Podium in Manila published by Keppel Corporation; accessed November 1, 2013.
  2. ^ "BDO, Keppel Land bullish on PHL property market as The Podium opens". BusinessWorld Online. September 10, 2019.
  3. ^ "The Podium West Tower". tpwt.com.ph.
  4. ^ Libero-Cruz, Grace (September 10, 2019). "The New Podium Creates "A Piece Of Singapore" In Manila". Metro.style. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  5. ^ "BDO to take full ownership of Podium Complex after buyout of Keppel shares". ABS-CBN News. March 27, 2023. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  6. ^ Tay, Vivienne (March 27, 2023). "Keppel subsidiary to sell remaining stake in Philippines property for $195 million". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved March 27, 2023.
  7. ^ "FIRST LOOK: Director's Club Cinema at the Podium Comes with Butler Service".
  8. ^ "More Than Just Retail: The Podium Manila Officially Opens". Tatler Asia. September 10, 2019. Retrieved March 27, 2023.