At the center of the initiative is Helios, an eight-story pickleball and lifestyle complex rising in Bridgetowne, which its developers envision as Asia's first tournament-grade pickleball center. The project is being designed with input from Johns Design & Consulting (JDC), the consultancy founded by professional pickleball stars Collin and Ben Johns.
Collin Johns recently visited the Helios construction site during his trip to the Philippines, where he also conducted coaching clinics in Manila, Cebu and Davao.
Growing sport
Johns said the Philippines is well-positioned to benefit from pickleball's rapid growth across Asia, citing the country's strong culture of racket sports such as badminton, table tennis and tennis.
"When even a small percentage of the country begins to play and they start to love pickleball, that makes the sport grow exponentially fast," Johns said.
He noted that the Philippines is narrowing the gap with regional pioneers such as Vietnam and Malaysia, creating greater demand for quality facilities, coaching and organized competitions.
Helios is expected to help meet that demand by providing a venue designed for both recreational players and elite tournaments.
The 17,500-square-meter development will feature 25 professional-grade pickleball courts, including a stadium court, along with retail and dining establishments. It is being designed to host local and international competitions while serving players of all skill levels.
Global standards
Drawing on the Johns brothers' experience competing at premier venues worldwide, JDC advised the project team on various aspects of facility planning and operations.
"The lighting, the surfacing, the management, the flow of the facility, the social areas—everything is thought out," Johns said, describing Helios as a potential "crown jewel facility of Asia."
He added that facilities built to international standards can help raise expectations across the region.
"When people see that sort of standard, it's going to set a benchmark for the entire region," he said.
Kim Lapus, president of KAVC, said JDC's expertise helped shape Helios into an indoor, climate-controlled venue capable of hosting world-class competitions.
Lapus added that the project's location within Bridgetowne is equally important to its long-term success.
"For the players and for the spectators, everything is walking distance in Bridgetowne," he said, pointing to the estate's Opus mall, restaurants and the upcoming Fili Hotel.
"You just can't build a facility in the middle of nowhere and expect people to go there. This is a lot better because the whole ecosystem is here," he added.
Long-term vision
For Robinsons Land, the project represents an expansion of its real estate portfolio into sports and leisure destinations.
Ramon Rivero, RLC chief strategy officer and RSL business unit general manager, said Robinsons Sports & Leisure complements the company's existing portfolio of malls, offices, residential developments and hotels.
"We create places where people play, where people enjoy, and where people bring out their best selves," Rivero said.
While real estate developments are often measured by their physical footprint, Rivero said the company also values the experiences they create.
"The moments its developments create and the lives they help transform—that's a measure we live by," he said.
Players will get an early preview of the project through Helios Beta, a temporary outdoor pickleball venue scheduled to open in Bridgetowne in October 2026. Select participants from Johns' coaching clinics will have opportunities to coach at the venue before eventually joining programs at Helios.
Johns said JDC's involvement will extend beyond the facility's design through coaching programs, player development, programming support and community-building initiatives.
Rivero added that Helios could eventually serve as the centerpiece of a nationwide network of tournament-grade pickleball courts across Robinsons Land developments, with local qualifying tournaments culminating in Bridgetowne.
"We owe it to the Filipinos to give them the best pickleball experience as much as possible," Rivero said. —Corrie S. Narisma
