SM Prime builds ₱5 billion office tower, sees demard rising in 2026

SixE-com Center was designed by the renowned architectural firm Arquitectonica, whose portfolio includes well-known projects such as the Microsoft Headquarters in Paris, the Bronx Museum in New York and the International Finance Center in Seoul.

SM Offices, a business unit of Sy-led SM Prime Holdings Inc. (SM Prime), is investing ₱5 billion to build its latest office development, SixE-com Center, reaffirming its confidence in the Philippine real estate market.

In a statement, the firm said the pre-certified LEED Gold development SixE-com Center will be located within the SM Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex. It will offer over 60,000 square meters of premium leasable space across two linear towers that are set for completion by 2026.

“We expect office vacancy rates to peak in 2025 as the market adjusts after the POGO exit. With business outlook improving and interest rates easing, we see demand picking up by 2026,” said, SM Prime Vice President and Head of SM Offices Alexis Ortiga.

Real estate industry analysts have reported elevated vacancy rates, attributing it to the 2024 exit of Philippine Offshore Gaming Operators (POGOs), hybrid work arrangements and corporate right-sizing.

However, SM Offices maintains strong occupancy, supported by demand from traditional companies, multinationals, and firms in business process outsourcing (BPO) and knowledge process outsourcing (KPO).

“POGOs are not part of our tenant mix. Our office towers are designed for clients that prioritize operational efficiency, employee well-being and sustainability,” Ortiga explained.

SM’s signature E-Com Center “Prism Plaza” sky garden

Designed by the globally renowned architectural firm Arquitectonica, SixE-com Center is a mixed-use development that integrates lifestyle amenities, including SM’s signature E-Com Center “Prism Plaza” sky garden and a retail arcade. 

SixE-com Center provides direct access to major transport links, including the upcoming MRT-3 and LRT Cavite Extension. It is also within walking distance of the SM Mall of Asia and SMDC residential towers via elevated bridgeways.

As of 2024, SM Offices operates 22 office towers with a gross floor area of nearly 1.6 million square meters, around 667,000 square meters of which are in the MOA Complex. Five of its towers are LEED-certified.