A new chapter for Lexus Gallery BGC

It was a night of both nostalgia and celebration - of new blood and the continued bright future of the Lexus luxury vehicle brand in the Philippines.

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The newly constructed four-story Lexus Manila Gallery BGC was formally inaugurated last week at its new home on the corner of 8th Avenue and Col. Santos Street, just a couple of blocks away from its former home at 8th Ave. and 34th St., which was inaugurated 16 years ago in January 2009 in three glittering evenings of celebration.

The old showroom and service center, after 16 years, had outlived its purpose with the growth and popularity of the luxury car brand.

Future plans for the old showroom are still unclear, but it will likely be redeveloped into an office or residential tower similar to the other developments in that area.

Its former expansive neighbor, which used to house the MC Depot complex, has been torn down and is being redeveloped.

The inauguration of the old Lexus Gallery was attended by the late George S.K. Ty, while his son Alfred Ty (who had by then been designated Lexus Philippines chairman) presided over the opening ceremony.

In an interview back then with The STAR's Doreen Yu, Alfred had projected a modest sales target for that year of 300 units, even as the global economy was then experiencing a financial crisis.

Fast forward to Nov. 6, 2025, Alfred similarly presided over the formal opening of the new Lexus Manila Gallery, and this time around - his own son Andrei Ty and nephew Andrew "Andy" Ryan Ty (son of Metrobank Chairman Arthur Ty) - were there to witness the event, symbolically a nod to the future of the Ty family and the continued partnership with Toyota Motor Corp. of Japan and the Lexus brand.

Andy is with the marketing division of Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP), while Andrei has recently joined GT Capital Holdings Inc.