Learn more about the most progressive financial districts in the Philippines - Bonifacio Global City
About BGC
Bonifacio Global City (also known as BGC, Global City, or The Fort) is a financial business district in Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines.
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| BGC Skyline |
The district experienced commercial growth following the sale of a 440-hectare (1,100-acre) military base at Fort Bonifacio by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA). The entire district used to be the part of the main Philippine Army camp.
BGC in Details
Country: Philippines
Region: National Capital Region
City: Taguig (de facto control)
Barangay: Fort Bonifacio (Taguig)
Total Land Area: 240 hectares
Features: Mass public transport systems, Pedestrian-friendly zoning
Accessibility: Roadway links to C5 and EDSA, BGC bus shuttle loop
History of BGC
During the American colonial period, the US government acquired a 25.78-square-kilometer (9.95 sq mi) property within what was then disputed area between Makati, Taguig and Pateros for military purposes. This area (TCT dated 1902) was turned into a camp then known as Fort William McKinley after the 25th US president, William McKinley. After the Philippines gained its political independence from the United States on July 4, 1946, the US bestowed to the Republic of the Philippines all rights of possession, jurisdiction, supervision, and control over the Philippine territory except the use of their military bases. On May 14, 1949, Fort McKinley was turned over to the Philippine government by virtue of US Embassy Note No. 0570.
Under the Armed Forces of the Philippines leadership of Gen. Alfonso Arellano, Fort McKinley was made the permanent headquarters of the Philippine Army in 1957 and was subsequently renamed Fort Bonifacio, after the Father of the Philippine Revolution against Spain, Andrés Bonifacio, whose father, Santiago Bonifacio, was a native of Taguig.
When Ferdinand Marcos placed the Philippines under martial law in 1972, Fort Bonifacio became the host of three detention centers full of political prisoners - the Ipil Reception Center (sometimes called the Ipil Detention Center), a higher security facility called the Youth Rehabilitation Center (YRC), and the Maximum Security Unit where Senators Jose W. Diokno and Benigno Aquino Jr. were detained. Ipil was the largest prison facility for political prisoners during martial law. Among the prisoners held there were some of the country's leading academics, creative writers, journalists, and historians including Butch Dalisay, Ricky Lee, Bienvenido Lumbera, Jo Ann Maglipon, Ninotchka Rosca, Zeus Salazar, and William Henry Scott.
The YRC was a higher security prison which housed prominent society figures and media personalities,including society figures Tonypet and Enrique Araneta, Constitutional Commission delegate Manuel Martinez, poet Amado V. Hernandez, and Polytechnic University of the Philippines president Dr Nemesio Prudente.
After Fort Bonifacio was privatized, the area in which Ipil was located became the area near SNR and Home Depot, near 32nd Street and 8th Avenue within in Bonifacio Global City, while the YRC became a government facility just outside of the business district.
Land Development
On March 19, 1992, President Corazon C. Aquino signed the Bases Conversion and Development Act of 1992 (Republic Act No. 7227) into law, creating the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA, tasked with converting Military Bases into "integrated developments, dynamic business centers and vibrant communities."
On February 7, 1995, the BCDA and a consortium led by Metro Pacific Investments Corporation formed a joint venture called the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation (FBDC) for the purpose of developing 150 hectares (370 acres) of former Fort Bonifacio land. The private group bought a 55% stake in the FBDC for ₱30.4 billion, while BCDA held on to the remaining 45% stake.
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| BGC and its divisions |
The FBDC's landmark project was conceived as Bonifacio Global City, a real estate development area meant to accommodate 250,000 residents and 500,000 daytime workers and visitors.
The project was hampered by the 1997 Asian financial crisis, but moved forward when Ayala Land, Inc. and Evergreen Holdings, Inc. of the Campos Group purchased Metro Pacific's controlling stake in FBDC in 2003.
Development Areas
Three top of the line residential buildings in BGC were Pacific Plaza (2000) by Metro Pacific, Regent Parkway (2002) by Daiichi Properties, and Essensa East Forbes (2001) by Century Properties Group. They were the first buildings to be erected after the inception of Bonifacio Global City.
Pacific Plaza stands next to the infamous Manila Golf Club, while Essensa East Forbes and Regent Parkway are adjacent to the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial.
BGC Developments
Bonifacio High Street
Bonifacio High Street forms the physical core of Bonifacio Global City and is designed as a three-by-three matrix of high-tech offices and residential buildings, retail outlets and pedestrian-friendly roads and walkways. The grid design ensures a city center that is easy to navigate. 5th and 11th Avenues and 32nd and 26th Streets serve as the boundaries of the city center.
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| An art installation in Bonifacio High Street |
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| PSE Tower |
At One Bonifacio High Street, the PSE Tower, which houses the unified trading floor of the Philippine Stock Exchange, the Shangri-La at the Fort, Manila and Ascott Bonifacio Global City Manila are also located here.
The Retail Promenade which encompasses 29th Street is characterized by landscaped areas. Its design concept is centered on an east–west central access with business establishments and activity pods.
Retail Promenade offers retail at the ground level and offices at the second floor. The City Square Blocks feature landscaped areas and parks.
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| Track 30th |
Track 30th, an urban park, is located on one side of the High Street. Its amenities include a jogging path and several fitness oriented installations that can be used for exercises such as pull ups. The park can be accessed through a nearby bus stop.
North Bonifacio
The ₱20-billion tower was estimated to start construction by late 2008, by Federal Land, Inc. (led by its president Alfred Ty), on a 27-hectare (67-acre) North Bonifacio district lot (jointly owned by the Metrobank Group of Companies and the Bases Conversion Development Authority).
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| Grand Hyatt Manila |
The tower is the 65-storey Metrobank Center which houses the Grand Hyatt Manila hotel and is currently one of the tallest skyscrapers in Metro Manila.
Forbes Town Center
The Forbes Town Center is Megaworld's 5-hectare township community, where 8 Forbestown Road, Forbeswood Heights, Forbeswood Parklane, and Bellagio condominiums are located.
It has a combination of low-density residential development, shopping strip, dining outlets, and other service facilities.
Uptown Bonifacio
Uptown Bonifacio is a new 15-hectare property located in the northern district of Fort Bonifacio. The Megaworld Corporation plans to build new residential condominiums (Uptown Parksuites, Uptown Ritz, the seasons residence, west central park residences and (One Uptown Residence) and mixed-use business and commercial developments in the area that cater to upper to middle class markets.
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| Uptown Mall |
The area is near the zone where the British, Japanese, and American international schools, and other local schools are located. Moreover, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls also built Uptown Mall in the area.
Hospitals in BGC
St. Luke's Medical Center, Inc. operates a hospital at the Bonifacio Global City.
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| St. Luke's Medical Center - BGC |
Education in BGC
BGC has several major educational institutions, mostly located at the University Parkway district. The University of the Philippines System (through the constituent units of UP Diliman and UP Open University) and De La Salle University are two most prominent universities which offer graduate programs for professionals working in the district.
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| International School Manila |
Other educational institutions in the area include the
- Leaders International Christian School of Manila
- British School Manila
- International School Manila
- Manila Japanese School
- Korean International School Philippines
- Everest Academy Manila
- STI College
- MGC-New Life Christian Academy - Global City
- Treston International College
- Dela Salle University - Rufino Campus
- Enderun Colleges
BGC Land Dispute
The high tribunal affirmed its 2021 decision that the Fort Bonifacio Military Reservation, where BGC is located and was the center of the dispute between the neighboring cities, is within the territorial jurisdiction of Taguig City based on a resolution dated on September 28, 2022 but was released only this week.
By putting an end to the land dispute, the Supreme Court will no longer entertain further pleadings, motions, or letters regarding the 729-hectare BGC and several barangays in Makati.
Transportation in BGC
Bonifacio Transport Corporation maintains bus routes (BGC Bus) serving the business district, as well as Jeepneys and UV Express, with a terminal located at the Market! Market! shopping mall.
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| BGC Bus |
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board has launched new rationalized bus routes to the business district, from Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, SM North EDSA, and Alabang. All buses, including those to and from out of the metropolis, are stationed at the Market! Market! terminal.
The Bonifacio Global City is also located near the Buendia MRT station, and will be served by the future Metro Manila Subway.
BGC Bus Routes
BGC Bus operates primarily on 10 different routes originating from EDSA Bus originating from EDSA-Ayala-McKinley Bus Terminal or at Market Market. On August 7, 2017, express bus routes were introduced.
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| BGC Bus Route Map |
Taguig Staycation
Here's a list of best hotels and staycation in Taguig:
- Seda Hotel BGC - Check Rates and Photos
- F1 Hotel Manila - Check Rates and Photosy
- Grand Hyatt Manila - Check Rates and Photos
- Shangri-La at the Fort Manila - Check Rates and Photos
- D Builders Rooms New Lower Bicutan - Check Rates and Photos
- Rosewood Pointe Residences Acacia Estates - Check Rates and Photos
- Grace Residences Studio w/ Balcony - Check Rates and Photos
Search for more accommodation in Taguig!
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