Federal Land at 50: Built to inspire, endure

Federal Land Inc. is one of the country’s biggest property developers, growing from a home builder to one that has built—and continues to do so—living spaces, retail establishments and communities that help Filipinos live their best life.

Thus, it is a company that has transformed the Philippine real estate landscape through timeless and unique developments.

Part of Dr. George S.K. Ty’s conglomerate GT Capital Holdings, Inc., one of the biggest business groups in the Philippines, Federal Land was founded by the late Ty, one of the country’s biggest visionary tycoons, 50 years ago.

Today, it is now under the able leadership of his son, Chairman Alfred V. Ty.

Fifty years on, Federal Land is certainly in a league of its own because the company is so much more than just a builder.

GT Tower International in Ayala Ave., Makati

Love for Architecture

“Our late founder, Dr. George S.K. Ty’s love for architecture has molded the company to expand its portfolio into delivering large-scale and quality developments,” Chairman Ty said.

Indeed, the story of Federal Land traces its roots to Dr. George Ty’s love for architecture and bold vision of creating a lasting legacy.

Fascinated indeed, by the magic of architecture as a means to address the shortage problem in housing, Dr. Ty took subjects on it back during his university days although he did not become a full-fledged architect.

Still, he never lost his love and a keen interest in the field and this showed in his companies—he was a hands-on tycoon not just in running his conglomerate but in designing some of the branches of banking giant Metropolitan Bank and Trust Co., and later on to every edifice and structure built by the Ty Group during his time. He was involved in the planning and how each space was used—taking into consideration form and function; elegance and efficiency, and interest and innovation.

Group Chairman Emeritus George SK Ty

The testaments to this passion and love for architecture still stand. One will see it in the towering buildings and the different structures owned by GT Capital Holdings—from banks to homes.

Indeed, from designing bank branches, Dr. Ty moved on to sketching homes. He had a keen eye for good locations, and saw the potential of areas to redefine a certain landscape.

The Seeds of Federal Land

It was this which sowed the mighty seeds of the property development arm, Federal Land Inc.

Founded in 1972 as Federal Homes, Federal Land’s first completed projects became Manila’s first high-rise office and residential towers—Soler Tower, Tytana Plaza and Mandarin Mansion—built in Binondo, Manila, home of the Filipino-Chinese community and the financial district of colonial Manila. At the same time, Federal Homes built townhouses along Roxas Blvd. and United Nations Ave. with the Midtown Executive Townhomes built on the land where the house of Dr. Ty’s parents used to stand.

After this, Federal Homes developed more notable high-rise buildings, the Escolta Towers, Skyland Plaza, Ylaya Mansion and Federal Towers.

These developments still stand and have made Federal Homes a known property developer.

Its next phase came in 2002 when Federal Homes changed its name to Federal Land Inc., signifying the company’s growth – an expansion of its focus from just residential and office buildings to include commercial developments. It also signaled its inevitable entry into the big leagues of the property sector and position as one of the key revenue drivers of the George Ty group.

Federal Land is committed to creating nurturing communities at par with the rest of the world, and developments that make a difference in the lives of the people and the communities it operates. This is through its master brands Federal Land, which creates thoughtfully designed and innovative developments; Horizon Land, which creates quality and affordable family-friendly communities; and through strategic partnerships for landmark projects that cater to discerning individuals who seek finer things in life.

Bold Vision, Pioneering Spirit

This was a reflection of Dr. Ty’s bold vision—he saw infinite possibilities where others saw none.

The rest, as they say, is history. This rare trait enabled Dr. Ty to build a conglomerate from scratch. It is now a listed holding company with investments in banking through Metrobank; automotive manufacturing and distribution through Toyota Motor Philippines Inc.; automotive financing through Toyota Financial Services Philippines Corp. and Sumisho Motor Finance Corp.; insurance through Philippine AXA Life Insurance Corp.; infrastructure through Metro Pacific Investments Corp.; and real estate development through Federal Land.

Federal, The Capital City

The property business took the name Federal, which means “capital city,” embodying the company’s mission of creating dynamic communities for the Filipino family.

Unity, harmony, and assembly are also what Federal Land aspires for and one will see this in every community that proudly bears its name.

Former President Rodrigo Duterte with Group Chairman Emeritus George SK Ty and Chairman Alfred Ty, together with Philippine Government Officials and Hyatt Executives at the unveiling of Grand Hyatt Manila marker in 2017

From its early beginnings in Binondo and Manila, Federal expanded to Makati, following the lead of Metrobank which had started putting up branches in what became the financial district of the country.

Thus, in the 1970s, Federal built the Metrobank Plaza headquarters, one of the first few tall buildings in Makati.

Then came the Metrobank building at the prime spot on the corner of Ayala and Buendia Ave., which housed the first headquarters of the Asian Development Bank.

GT Capital Group Chairman Emeritus George S.K. Ty (3rd from left), ORIX Corp Chairman Yoshihiko Miyauchi (4th from left) with Federal Land Chairman Alfred Ty (1st from left), GT Capital Holdings Chairman Francisco Sebastian (6th from left) and executives from GT Capital Holdings and ORIX Corp of Japan.

It has since been redeveloped into the distinctive, towering and glittering GT Tower International that has redefined the Makati skyline of today.

But Federal Homes is as much a home builder as it is a developer of buildings.

In 2002, as Federal Homes became Federal Land Inc., its focus expanded to commercial developments and nurturing communities—from just residential and office buildings.

This sealed the company’s entry into the roster of the big leagues of the property sector and cemented its position as one of the key revenue drivers of the George Ty group.

Today, many of Metro Manila’s towering landmarks are products of Federal Land.

The Estate Makati

Federal Land partnered with integrated financial services group, ORIX Corp. to develop the two-tower luxury development Grand Hyatt Manila Residences. Federal Land is also part of the joint venture behind The Estate Makati, an ultra-luxurious residential tower.

The Estate Makati is a joint venture between Federal Land and SM Development Corporation and designed by the world-renowned Foster + Partners, again another first for the Philippines.

The upscale development is already rising in the upscale Apartment Ridge area and will also be the tallest building along Ayala Avenue. It is also among the few remaining and coveted Ayala Avenue addresses.

Energy and expertise

But Federal Land is more than just the number of buildings and homes it has built.

It is also about the time, energy, and expertise the company devotes to designing homes.

Henry Sy, Jr., chairman of SMDC and Alfred Ty, chairman of Federal Land