Gotianun-led Filinvest Hospitality Corp. (FHC) has secured a six-year lease for a 730 square meter prime property in Camp John Hay, Baguio City, following a successful bid with the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and John Hay Management Corporation (JHMC).
This property, located along Sheridan Drive and close to FHC’s Grafik Hotel Collection Baguio will be transformed into ‘The Hay Diner,’ a new restaurant.
The project will incorporate existing architectural features with minimal modifications to maintain the building’s Baguio charm.
Lead design firm Headroom will focus on passive cooling by utilizing existing window openings and enhance sustainability with inverted air conditioning units, LED lighting, water-efficient fixtures, and low-VOC paint.
Francis C. Gotianun, FHC’s first senior vice president, remarked, “We see this project as a significant addition to Baguio’s restaurant scene and part of our broader strategy to expand our hotels, resorts, and new food and beverage ventures.”
This new project will be the latest food & beverage venture of the group following the success of Baker J, a French-inspired café that are located in key cities and destinations.
Grafik Baguio, a 5,700 square meter, 256-room full-service hotel of FHC, is being built under the EDGE Green Building Program of the International Finance Corp.
FHC plans to showcase its sustainable design hotel by early 2025.
“Our objective is to grow our business while enhancing the Philippines’ natural attractions and tourism industry, and we are dedicated to doing this responsibly to preserve Baguio’s beauty for future generations,” Gotianun said.
Lawyer Marlo Ignacio V. Quadra, president and chief executive officer of JHMC, expressed enthusiasm for the new dining experience, noting how it combines modern comforts with stunning natural surroundings, setting a precedent for blending economic development with environmental preservation.
BCDA president and chief executive officer Joshua M. Bingcang also highlighted the significance of this partnership, confident it will enrich Baguio’s culinary landscape and enhance the visitor experience at Camp John Hay.
FHC’s portfolio includes Crimson Resort and Spa Boracay, Crimson Resort and Spa Mactan, Crimson Hotel Filinvest City Manila, The Quest Hotels & Resorts in Cebu, Clark Pampanga, and Tagaytay, and Timberland Highlands Resort in Rizal.
The new Baguio restaurant will offer a fusion of classic American dishes with innovative Cordilleran influences and will be managed by Chroma Hospitality Inc., a reputable hotel management company within the Filinvest group.
FHC is a subsidiary of Filinvest Development Corp., a conglomerate with interests in real estate, banking, financial services, hotel and resort management, power generation, and sugar milling.
