JEG Tower offers startups the opportunity to lease smaller, more flexible spaces than larger corporations might need, allowing startups to redirect their resources towards growing their business.
Cebu City is often ranked one of the most important startup scenes in the Philippines, coming in second only to the capital Metro Manila. Latest research indicates that the Queen City of the South now accounts for roughly 9% of all startups in the country. There’s also no shortage of initiatives to develop the local ecosystem with Cebu-focused accelerators like DOHE-Cebu already reporting interest in the city.Still, giving startups the proper support and infrastructure to grow will be key for turning Cebu City into a bonafide startup hub.
Startups have wholly different needs from the larger, more established firms already present in the city. For example, many startups will find it impractical to lease a large office space yet still need a conducive working area as they begin growing. JEG Tower @ One Acacia located at Acacia St. Cor. Archbishop Ave. Cebu, answers the call.
JEG Tower offers startups the opportunity to lease smaller, more flexible spaces than larger corporations might need, allowing startups to redirect their resources towards growing their business.Developed by JEG Development Corp. and launched in 2021, JEG Tower is a 22-storey premium office tower that provides space to budding startups and corporations alike.
The building partnered with Vivant COREnergy in making it the first solar-powered commercial building in Cebu City and has already picked up awards such as Best Commercial Green Development from the Philippine Property Awards 2020 and holds 68 points from the U.S. Green Building Councils rating system, making it the highest-scoring project in Cebu upon completion.
JEG Tower’s tenants today include the likes of Metrobank, SGV, Arcadis, Canon, and VBP. It also notably houses the startup Virtual Healthtech, which is primarily a business process outsourcing provider for virtual health management services.
Targeting startups with flexibility and approachability
Yet while JEG Tower’s current tenants are a mixed bag, the property’s team is adamant on welcoming startups into the fold. According to Chief Operating Officer Marko Sarmiento, JEG Tower was greatly inspired by the recent boom of co-working spaces in Metro Manila. “There are many startups who don’t quite need a large scale office yet but definitely need a conducive working space that can provide what they need at the moment,” said Sarmiento. “JEG Tower sits perfectly in between the concept of a flexible space, wherein we can cater to those who need less than 100 square meters, but also to those who need multiple floors like a traditional office building would.”
To target startups even further, JEG Tower makes a point of providing swift, personalized assistance to the building’s tenants. In many office buildings, tenants often face challenges when trying to reach their landlords and address their concerns or make special requests. The bureaucracy it takes to get in touch with upper management can lead to delays and inefficiencies, hindering tenants’ ability to make necessary changes or improvements to their workspace—a potentially huge source of frustration for startups, who especially like to customize their office spaces.
The JEG Tower team cuts through the bureaucracy with its slogan of “Make Different Work”. The slogan reflects the developer’s belief that growing and evolving businesses have different needs and will need a partner willing to provide flexible, personalized services.
To “Make Different Work”, Director Paolo Sarmiento emphasizes the need to personally meet clients and forge a connection. “Clients appreciate that they can directly go to upper management,” Sarmiento explained. “They take their concerns to us and it’s resolved in a swift manner. Our unique advantage as a smaller company is that we are able to meet the clients personally, go on the building tour with them, and be available to address concerns.”
For Brand Manager Ayla Gomez, JEG Tower’s flexibility comes from its understanding that the best work comes from ideas that are a little out of the box. For instance, management is currently looking into one tenant’s request to install a slide in their office. “We love the bold and fun ideas of what companies envision for their working environments,” Gomez said. “We are in full support of creating spaces that can make work more engaging and at the same time productive.”
More than just being given flexibility with what to do with their floor space however, JEG Tower also targets startups by consciously designing the building to maximize productivity. Each unit is designed to take in daylight and enhance the working environment of every employee. The building also has operable windows to promote the crossflow of natural air and decrease overall energy consumption.
JEG Tower also has a roof deck garden that provides scenic views of Cebu’s nearby sea and mountains, while also doubling as a venue for company events. This intentional integration with nature becomes crucial given its link with productivity boosts and wellness in the workplace. The building’s management is even exploring the addition of wellness-focused amenities like a climbing/bouldering wall, a small putting green, and possibly a gym. These enhancements aim to enhance tenants’ well-being by providing opportunities for physical activity and stress relief.
However improved productivity isn’t all JEG Tower aims for. It also aims to foster a sense of community by taking advantage of its surrounding area: the building is situated in a budding neighborhood scene with coffee shops, art galleries, weekend markets, and a mix of eateries nearby.
Safe and sound
Despite having only opened for a few years however, JEG Tower has already faced its fair share of challenges that put its commitment to its community to the test.
In December 2021, Super Typhoon Odette made landfall in Cebu, disrupting power throughout the city and causing millions of pesos worth of damage. The productivity of its tenants was understandably interrupted.
Yet the JEG Tower team was quick to provide any relief it could. During the onslaught of Typhoon Odette, JEG Tower demonstrated its commitment to the well-being of employees by providing essential services within the building. They ensured that the building’s employees had access to charging stations for their electronic devices, as well as a reliable supply of potable water and shower facilities. Moreover, the building’s connectivity remained intact despite the adverse conditions, with the availability of six internet providers. This diverse range of options allows tenants to have both primary and secondary sources of internet connectivity, enhancing security and ensuring uninterrupted communication during an event of a major typhoon.
Additionally, JEG Tower has implemented structural enhancements to fortify its foundation against future calamities. Recognizing the potential risks posed by natural disasters, the building added a substantial number of board piles into its foundation. These board piles serve as essential reinforcements that contribute to the overall structural integrity of the tower.
Comfort is also a priority even during ordinary days. First, each floor comes with Daikin air conditioners to help tenants survive Cebu’s humidity. Showers in the parking floors encourage people to bike or walk to work if they live nearby, with the added perk of lowering that individual’s carbon footprint. Finally, JEG Tower prioritizes security with turnstiles and an integrated DOAS system, which controls both the energy efficiency of lifts and controls traffic build up in the lobby.
Of course, JEG Tower’s proximity to the startup scene means it will integrate tech into its future solutions. The building’s management team is currently exploring the utilization of technology applications to enhance tenant-landlord relations, particularly in property management and operations. The goal is to streamline processes such as billing and addressing concerns.
In conclusion, as the Cebu startup scene grows and takes on more investments, its startups will need a real estate partner that is willing to grow with it. With its dedication to “Make Different Work” through flexibility, productivity, and community, JEG Tower is more than willing to be the Cebu City startup scene’s go-to.
“Every company needs a place to foster their great big ideas. It all starts with a space where you can create your best work, where you can build relationships with your employees and clients, where you can expand the business tailored to your needs,” Gomez concluded. “JEG Tower envisions being that place that helped get you to where you envisioned your company to be.”
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