A new mixed-use property will soon rise in Bohol with a pledge to pay homage to the island’s local heritage.
The Bellemar Lifestyle Center, the latest property by Filipino-owned corporation, The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts (BH&R), is a 4-hectare property in Tawala, Panglao, that is set to marry the idyllic island life while enjoying comfortable city convenience.
Taking pride of its architectural aesthetics that is reminiscent of country’s rich Spanish heritage, Bellemar is positioned as a development that mirrors the local roots of Bohol while celebrating a place of residential and commercial use in the market.
In the Bellemar Tenants Conference last February 11, held at The Bellevue Manila’s Grand Ballroom, the developer formally introduced the property’s main features. Located in Brgy. Tawala, Bellemar is just 800 meters or 15-minute walking distance from the famous white-sand Alona beach shoreline. It is also just 600 meters from the commercial center of Alona.
Traveling via car from Bellemar to various key points in Bohol may also take less than an hour. Tagbilaran City is just 30 minutes away via car while going to the Panglao International Airport will just take 5 minutes.
Visitors and tenants of Bellemar have everything within reach its nine commercial pavilions, all under the first phase of development. These pavilions will host a variety of local and international businesses, including food and beverage, supermarket, technology, amusement, services, lifestyle and specialty, wellness, and government satellite offices. Its supermarket alone has a vast area of 2, 000 sq m.
According to Bim Sebastian, Bellemar Lifestyle Center’s principal consultant for commercial business development, the Bellemar Lifestyle Center’s vision is to provide a myriad of commercial activities for the market from day to night, a gap which BH&R wants to bridge.
While Filipino brands will be housed in its spaces, international brands will also be welcomed to potentially boost the tourism of the province which has gained international market through the years.
The second phase will pave the way for the renowned hotel group to expand and reach a wider market for its signature world-class service and genuine Filipino hospitality.
Tourism destination
The Bellemar Lifestyle Center was initially set to open in the first quarter of 2021. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, the project is currently put on hold. “As for the timeline, we shall commence as soon as there is economic recovery,” Dustin Chan, The Bellevue Resort’s managing director says.
Despite this, Chan is optimistic that Bellemar can contribute to the tourism recovery in the next years. “I believe it’s going to be a team effort,” he says. “It will certainly take time for tourism to recover to 2019 levels. Under normal circumstances, we think that Bellemar could be a cultural destination and anybody who visits Bohol should visit Bellemar.”
Aside from the original vision for the project which shall remain the same, Chan adds that health and new normal standards will be taken into consideration when the development and construction continue.
Chan adds, “Bellemar is a development that will supplement the needs of the tourists and the existing tourist facilities and provide the daily needs of the locals in Panglao.”
Opportunities
Bellemar is the fifth property of BH&R and the second property in Panglao. In 2012, the Bellevue Resort opened in Panglao and is one of the first premium resorts in the island. Bellevue said to have set the benchmark in providing quality hospitality service in the province.
Meanwhile, Panglao Mayor Leonila Montero, who was present in the conference, shared how Panglao’s hospitality and tourism industry has elevated the business climate in Panglao, making it one of the top destinations of choice in Bohol.
Mayor Montero also welcomed the new investment opportunity to Panglao and hoped that it will spring more livelihood and employment opportunities for the locals of Panglao.
The Bellemar’s groundbreaking ceremony happened October last year and was attended by The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts Chairman, Mr. Johnny Chan, B Hotels Managing Director, Mr. Ryan Chan, The Bellevue Manila Managing Director, Mr. Patrick Chan, The Bellevue Resort Managing Director, Mr. Dustin Chan, The Bellevue Hotels and Resorts Board Director, Ms. Arthur Lopez, The Bellevue Resort General Manager, Mr. Rommel Gonzales, Bohol Provincial Administrator, Atty. Kathyrin Fe Pioquinto, Bohol District Board Member, Hon. Aldner Damalerio, Panglao Mayor, Hon. Leonila Montero, Principal Architect, Arch. Jonathan Gan, JERCC Owner and Project Consultant, Mr. Bim Sebastian, FINMAT Owner, Mr. Reynaldo de Jesus, suppliers, local partners, and the media.