Iloilo is rising with a deluge of exciting projects under construction all over the city in 2015. On this issue of our project updates, we’ll focus on new hotels, BPO office buildings, and the Iloilo Convention Center found on the southern half of the Iloilo Business Park by Megaworld.

Overlooking Iloilo Business Park and San Rafael under construction projects.

Overlooking Iloilo Business Park and San Rafael under construction projects.

T-cranes are dominating the Iloilo City Skyline. Expect to see more of these when Megaworld and Ayala starts construction of their residential condominium towers.

Iloilo Convention Center

The Iloilo Convention Center is shaping up quite nicely. It looks like it will be completed in time for the next batch of APEC meetings. The first meeting was held at the Royal Garden Convention Center last July 23-24. The next one is scheduled on Sept 21, 2015. Iloilo will be hosting a total of 11 APEC meetings, which is up from 2 meetings that the city initially vied to host.

In October 2014, it had gained nationwide attention after alleged overpricing and anomalies in its construction. The case was junked by the ombudsman in May 2015 citing lack of sufficient evidence, as reported by BusinessWorld.

The new convention center that meets international standards will have a 3,700-seat capacity main hall on the ground floor and 500-seat capacity on its function rooms.

Iloilo Convention Center and Marriott Courtyard Hotel Iloilo under construction in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

Iloilo Convention Center (front) and Marriott Courtyard Hotel Iloilo (back) under construction in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

Courtyard Hotel Iloilo by Marriott

The 15-storey Courtyard Hotel Iloilo by Marriott had topped off. It looks like it may not be completed in time for the bulk of the APEC meetings, but earlier reports had mentioned that it is planned to finish construction by the end of this year. Upon its completion, it will be the second international chain hotel in the city along with Days Hotel Iloilo by Windham group

Courtyard Hotel Iloilo is a business and leisure accommodation brand by Marriott. Courtyard Hotels are mostly (if not all) are rated as 4-star hotels, which puts it in the same league as Richmonde Hotel Iloilo.

Iloilo Convention Center and Marriott Courtyard Hotel Iloilo under construction in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

Street level view of Iloilo Convention Center and Marriott Courtyard Hotel

BPO Office Buildings

Two new office buildings for BPO companies are on the rise across the street from the Iloilo Convention Center. One Techno Place and Two Techno Place will have a combined 19,000 square meters of leasable spaces and are expected to generate 8,000 additional full-time employees. Both are planned to be completed by 2016.

Currently, two BPO office buildings are operational in Iloilo Business Park — One Global Center and Two Global Center. They are occupied by Transcom and Startek, respectively.

BPO Office Buildings under construction — One Techno Place and Two Techno Place in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Shot from ground floor entrance of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo

One Techno Place and Two Techno Place under construction

BPO Office Buildings — Two Global Center (completed) and One Techno Place (under construction) in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

Two Global Center (completed) and One Techno Place (under construction)

BPO Office Buildings — Two Global Center (completed) and One Techno Place (under construction) in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City

BPO Office Buildings along Megaworld Boulevard in Iloilo Business Park

Completed BPO Office Buildings — One Global Center and Two Global Center in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Photo shot from 6th floor room at Richmonde Hotel Iloilo

Completed BPO Office Buildings — One Global Center and Two Global Center.

Completed BPO Office Buildings — One Global Center and Two Global Center in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City. Shot from ground floor entrance of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo

Completed BPO Office Buildings in Iloilo Business Park

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo

12-storey Richmonde Hotel Iloilo opened last month under its soft launch. The lower level rooms, The Granary all-day restaurant, and Biz Bar are now open. The upper floors and pool deck were still being developed as of our last visit.

You can find more photos, room tips, and booking details on our Richmonde Hotel Iloilo feature page.

Exteriors / Facade of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Richmonde Tower in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Philippines

Exteriors / Facade of Richmonde Hotel Iloilo in Richmonde Tower in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Philippines.

Westward room view from Richmonde Hotel Iloilo facing Mandurriao district and Central Iloilo mountains.

Westward room view from Richmonde Hotel Iloilo facing Mandurriao district and Central Iloilo mountains.

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo (completed), Megaworld Center Mall (under construction), and BPO Office Buildings along Megaworld Boulevard in Iloilo Business Park, Mandurriao, Iloilo City, Philippines

Richmonde Hotel Iloilo (completed), Megaworld Center Mall (under construction), and BPO Office Buildings along Megaworld Boulevard.