Eton Properties Philippines, Inc. (EPPI), the real estate arm of taipan Lucio Tan, will soon start the construction of two information technology hubs in Quezon City and Ortigas to take advantage of the growth in the country’s business process outsourcing (BPO) industry.

In a press briefing yesterday, EPPI president Danilo Ignacio said the two new projects – Eton Cyberpod Corinthian and Eton Cyberpod Centris – are aimed at addressing the expected shortage in office buildings by 2008.

However, he did not indicate how much the group is spending for these new projects.

Located in the prime and only remaining large and undeveloped land along EDSA corner Quezon Avenue, Centris will comprise the development of seven low-rise office buildings with a total floor area of 168,000 square meters. The first of the seven buildings to rise is a 12-storey structure, offering 18,000 sq.m. of office space.

Ignacio said the company is set to break ground for Centris on Dec. 8.

He said Centris forms part of a 12-hectare, mixed-use and fully integrated community which will include a shopping district, a luxury residential cluster and a businessman’s hotel.

Cyberpod Corinthian, on the other hand, will have three four-storey office buildings within a 1.1 hectare property located at the corner of Ortigas Avenue and EDSA fronting Robinsons Galleria. Each building can accommodate 12,000 sq.m. of lease space. The first building of this development is slated for completion by the second half of 2008.

Other projects recently launched by the company include Belton Square, a mixed-use development masterplanned for three residential condominiums, an office tower and businessman’s hotel, One Archers Place and the integrated township Eton Mega City in Sta. Rosa, Laguna.

Since the beginning of the year, EPPI has already launched eight projects including The Eton Residences Greenbelt, Eton Emerald Lofts, Eton Baypark Manila and Eton Parkview Greenbelt.

EPPI has extensive land holdings in prime locations. The company’s strength lies on the financial muscle and reputation of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies, the management’s excellent record and administration experience, aggressive sales, marketing and promotional efforts, and the synergy within the wide network of businesses within the group.