Sta. Lucia Land plans as much as P5-B capex for expansion

AQUAMIRA at Saddle and Clubs Leisure Park in Tanza, Cavite — STALUCIALAND.COM.PH

LISTED PROPERTY developer Sta. Lucia Land, Inc. (SLI) plans to allocate P3 billion to P5 billion for capital expenditures (capex) this 12 months, specializing in land acquisitions and project developments in key areas, the corporate announced on Wednesday.

“We’re optimistic about our prospects this 2025 as we proceed to construct across the country to deal with a growing demand for communities beyond traditional city centers,” SLI President Exequiel D. Robles said in a press release.

“This targeted expansion not only diversifies our portfolio but additionally positions us to deliver long-term value for our stakeholders while creating inviting spaces for families and individuals looking for a better quality of life,” he added.

The expansion is anticipated to drive a compound annual growth rate of 20% to 25% in revenues, SLI said.

Last 12 months, SLI earmarked P5.62 billion for capex, with P4.5 billion allocated for project development and P1.12 billion for land acquisitions.

The property developer said it plans to proceed developing sustainable neighborhoods in emerging locations similar to Laguna, Batangas, Bulacan, Davao, and South Cotabato.

It added that it’s pursuing three way partnership deals in Cavite, Iloilo, and Davao to develop contiguous lots and expand existing projects.

Leasing income accounted for five.92% of SLI’s total revenues as of the third quarter of 2024, the corporate reported.

Sta. Lucia Group, led by publicly listed SLI, had recorded a complete of 313 projects as of end-2024.

These projects span 12,000 hectares across 70 cities and municipalities. The portfolio includes resort-themed developments, lake and golf communities, residential lots, townhomes, retail and office spaces, and condotels.

Other key expansions last 12 months included El Sitio Nativo in Nasugbu, Batangas, in May; a partnership with ARSM Land, Inc. in February to develop a six-hectare mixed-use community in South Cotabato; and the opening of SotoGrande Palawan in November.

“This investment strategy highlighted the corporate’s concentrate on growth and its confidence within the robust demand inside the real estate sector,” it said.

SLI said it stays focused on developing residential communities outside Metro Manila, particularly in Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Pangasinan, Pampanga, Bulacan, Cebu, Iloilo, Bacolod, Puerto Princesa in Palawan, Davao, and South Cotabato.

For retail, the corporate said it plans to expand its leasing business with the opening of Sta. Lucia Davao Mall this 12 months. The property has a gross floor area of 40,918 square meters (sq.m.) and a gross leasable area of 24,143 sq.m.

The projected gross annual leasing income for Sta. Lucia Davao Mall is estimated at P100 million to P140 million, based on a conservative 90% occupancy rate.

SLI also noted ongoing efforts to supply over two million sq.m. of business properties adjoining to residential communities, catering to malls, strip malls, supermarkets, retail convenience stores, schools, churches, and automobile showrooms, amongst others.

As of December 2024, SLI’s industrial properties covered 3.357 million sq.m. — Beatriz Marie D. Cruz