According to an insider, at least five officials from Ayala Land, holding ranks of director and up, are set to transfer to the Andrew Tan-led property firm. The high-profile defections are tied to Megaworld’s aggressive push into the high-end residential market, marking a bold pivot for a company best known for its mid-market townships.
This group of Ayala Land executives is expected to form the core of Megaworld’s soon-to-be-announced luxury property division, which will operate under a separate brand, distinct from the firm’s existing developments.
This new thrust will reportedly be revealed during Megaworld’s annual stockholders meeting on Friday, June 20.
The yet-unnamed division is being positioned as a standalone unit, with its own branding, sales, and marketing strategy. Notably, it will not rely on Megaworld’s existing construction ecosystem. Instead, it plans to engage independent contractors — a clear signal that the company is serious about playing in the same sandbox as ultra-premium brands like Ayala Land Premier and Rockwell.
While market growth in the lower-end residential segment has plateaued, the appetite for luxury properties among affluent Filipinos remains resilient. And Kevin Tan, who’s driving the initiative, clearly sees this as a chance to capitalize on that momentum.
This won’t the first time Megaworld has poached talent from other high-end players, as the team behind the new division has been quietly built over the past few months.
All eyes are now on Friday’s stockholders’ meeting, and how this play will reshape competition in the luxury residential space. The other property giants may want to watch their benches.
Senior Reporter
