“Be PATIENT, this will be a LONG but fulfilling journey.”
If Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation (TLDC) founder and CEO Tomas P. Lorenzo could give his younger self advice, this would be it. Today, as TLDC turns 25, they celebrate their history, are grateful about the present, and are more than ready to face the future.
It takes class and quiet strength to let a brand’s products speak for itself. It takes determination and solid resolve to set out on a mission that would then transform into a lucrative business capable of going beyond and actually driving impact in economies and communities. This is what Torre Lorenzo has done.
“It doesn’t have to be this way,” Tomas said to himself while studying abroad many moons ago, when he had the chance to experience student accommodations there and compare them with those in the Philippines.
They say it only takes a moment to change the course of a person’s life, and it was that moment that changed Tomas’ life — along with those of the students who would eventually live in his buildings (and their parents), and more.
Today — 16 towers, 4 hotels, 3 serviced residences, and 5 master-planned communities in 13 prime locations later — Torre Lorenzo has emerged to become one of the real estate companies to watch and be proud of.
Safe spaces = superb student life
Torre Lorenzo was established in 1999, when student accommodations near top universities were typically cramped and unconducive to learning. Tomas — inspired by his eureka moment while abroad — saw an opportunity to create premium, safe, and convenient residential spaces close to schools to improve the student living experience.
“Filipino families place great value on their children’s education,” he says. “Allowing them to be in an environment conducive to learning without having to go through traffic is a convenience that Filipinos are willing to pay for.” Tomas, a father, also says this with empathy not just for the students but also their parents.
Torre Lorenzo went on to build more of these student residences in key locations, making each project better than the last. They did not stop with simply building them: they put together an in-house property management team who served as extensions of Tomas on how he would take care of his properties.
Their mission? Keep the buildings clean; ensure the residents’ safety and security; and advocate for continuous improvement.
To see that the mission is lived and breathed by his team, Tomas would go around the properties to inspect and converse with residents. This allowed Tomas to directly gain feedback and insights on how to improve projects and operations.
(If you see Tomas in a property with his team, he is probably the one simply dressed and leading the charge, stopping to inspect and give instructions, checking on his personnel — all the while walking very, very fast.)
This hands-on approach to property maintenance along with incomparable after-sales service allows unit owners to benefit from the growing value appreciation of their investments. They really do get more — much more — than what they paid for.
From students to community: growth through projects around the country
Energized and empowered by their success in student accommodations, Torre Lorenzo decided to bring their real estate excellence to sub-prime locations in Manila, Batangas, and Davao. After all, all Filipinos deserve elevated lifestyles, wherever they may be.
The mission is different: reinvigorate, renew, and bring back hope.
This gave birth to Torre Lorenzo’s integrated-use and hospitality developments, in partnership with international brands like Dusit International and The Ascott Limited.
Torre Lorenzo had taken the steps to world-class standards, making sure the impact to their communities is felt on an economic level.
Torre Lorenzo makes lives better wherever they build: they provide livelihood, support access to education and health services, and protect the environment. They have a P10-M scholarship fund for the children of fallen soldiers in partnership with the Armed Forces of the Philippines Educational Benefit Systems Office (AFP-EBSO). They support primary school students in Davao through school supplies and educational materials.
Torre Lorenzo is mindful of their impact on the environment, too, by incorporating sustainable features in their developments.
“We walk the talk when it comes to sustainability efforts,” says Torre Lorenzo Chief Operations Officer Cathy Casares-Ko. “We impute environment-friendly measures in our design; not because everybody else is doing it, but because it makes sense.”
This is a pragmatic move: if you take care of the environment and the people, they will take care of your property or development — long term, sustainable, and an excellent example.
One example is the installation of a 756-unit solar farm in Dusit Thani Lubi Plantation Resort in Davao de Oro. It has an output of 415.8kWp, equivalent to 6,084 trees planted yearly, and reduces carbon emissions by 251 metric tons annually.
This commitment to quality and excellence has not gone unnoticed. Torre Lorenzo was hailed Best Boutique Developer for three years at PropertyGuru’s Philippines Property Awards. They were also named one of HR Asia’s Best Companies to Work For in Asia and Most Caring Companies for two consecutive years.
The care and empathy they extend to their market and communities begin internally, with their people, who are stewards of excellence in their own right — the right bearers of the Torre Lorenzo name.
Future-ready, a hundred steps ahead
“Designing for Tomorrow” — this was the theme of Torre Lorenzo’s 25th anniversary celebration. It perfectly encapsulates their resolve to keep on with what they have started and to continue growing their list of real estate achievements, all while putting people, communities, and the environment first.
The vision: create an impact on the real estate landscape by being the leader in innovative design, exceptional workmanship, and personalized service.
Bold, forward-thinking, and championing new standards of sustainability and livability — these are the keywords that Tomas P. Lorenzo, Cathy Casares-Ko, and Business Development Manager Monica Lorenzo bring with them as they lead their team forward.
With a commitment to technological innovation, Torre Lorenzo will create spaces that are intelligent and would enhance the human experience.
“The next 25 years will bring tremendous change,” says Monica Lorenzo. “But Torre Lorenzo will be at the forefront, leading the way and continuing to raise the bar for what is possible in real estate.”
By continuing to understand the evolving needs and aspirations of the people who will be living, working, and playing in their spaces, Torre Lorenzo will design environments that will enrich lives. Their projects will continue to uplift the lives of residents, elevate the experience of guests, ensure the success of their partners, and create pride in their host communities — and give hope for better lives for all.
Leading and collaborating with impact
At their 25th anniversary celebration, Torre Lorenzo gathered their partners, employees, and friends in a meaningful celebration.
The program had three acts that paid homage to its heritage, accomplishments, and vision for the future. Twenty five industry partners were given the inaugural Impact Award for their remarkable contributions to fulfilling Torre Lorenzo’s vision and impact on the real estate industry.
“I’d like to think that we have not just built in the past 25 years, but we have also raised the bar for the industry,” said Tomas at his speech during the event. “We have laid the groundwork and allowed it to evolve and grow, influenced by time, culture, the environment, technology, and creativity.”
“Our history, our experience, and our passion for excellence has brought us here today.”
