Rockwell eyes Mactan property for new hotel

Rockwell Land Corp. is partnering with global hotel chain Marriott International, Inc. to expand its hotel and leisure business amid upbeat tourism growth prospects.

Rockwell Land President Nestor J. Padilla told reporters on Friday night the company is acquiring a beachfront property in Mactan Island, Cebu that may be part of the Autograph Collection Hotels.

The Autograph Collection is Marriott International’s chain of independent hotels.

“What’s nice about the Autograph Collection is you keep your name unlike other arrangements that you have to call it Ritz-Carlton, JW Marriott or Four Seasons. The Autograph Collection allows us to call it Aruga,” Mr. Padilla said.

The Lopez-owned property developer operates serviced apartments under the Aruga brand within its Edades Tower and Garden Villa development in Rockwell Center, marking its maiden foray into the leisure and hotel business.

“It will be managed by them but we keep our name so we can build the brand and that’s what we will bring to Cebu once we finalize our negotiations,” Mr. Padilla said.

Last year, Rockwell Land rolled out its first venture outside Metro Manila with the launch of 32 Sanson, a 3.2-hectare (ha) development composed of five midrise residential towers in Lahug, Cebu City.

“We’re bullish with Cebu. We’re bullish with the (new) airport. At this point, we want to make sure we have the right development,” Mr. Padilla said.

Rockwell Land is also developing an Aruga hotel in Rockwell Center, he added.