There’s no stopping Suntrust Properties Inc. from ensuring that Filipinos achieve what they aspire for.
Even after successfully creating livable communities in the metro, Suntrust continues to expand, bringing its expertise to provinces across the country, where it believes it can inspire more Filipinos to aspire for better lives, while generating the much needed jobs and economic activities within the communities where they are present.
It’s that same goal and expertise that Suntrust is bringing to the City of Davao through the 11.2-ha township called Davao Park District, which it is developing with Megaworld Corp. This is Suntrust Properties’ first foray in Davao, where it plans to introduce a “live-work-play-learn-relax” lifestyle.
“Davao Park District is an 11.2-ha township development of both the Megaworld and Suntrust brands. Suntrust will develop 7.2 ha of residential projects that will have commercial spaces at the ground floors,” said Jerry R. Rubis, FVP for sales, marketing and business development at Suntrust.
“Megaworld will develop the remaining 4 ha for office towers. Some areas are intended for business process outsourcing offices, a school, a McDonalds branch and a world class hospital,” Rubis added.
Lake feature
On the 7.2 ha will rise at least 17 residential condominium towers with 19 storeys each. All the ground floors, according to Rubis, will be allocated for commercial spaces to be managed by the Megaworld Lifestyle Malls. These are expected to house branded stores, restaurants, coffee shops, among others.
It should be noted that all towers will boast of low density as each floor will only have, on average, 20 residential units—which is way lower than the usual 50 units a floor in Metro Manila. Unit sizes will range from 24 sqm to 76 sqm, and will be priced between P2.6 million and 9.8 million.
Rubis also disclosed that right at the center of these 17 residential towers will be a 1-ha lake development that will afford future residents stunning views as well as the serenity of home living with the big lake as the main attraction. Hence, the first cluster of Suntrust Properties condominium project is called One Lakeshore Drive.
Future residents can revel in the various amenities that will be offered by One Lakeshore Drive, including swimming pools, landscaped gardens, gazebo, function rooms, day care, gym, an outdoor fitness station, and podium among others.
Meanwhile, the whole 7.2-ha development will feature a 30-meter wide circumferential road encircling the lake, replete with jogging and bike lanes to encourage healthy lifestyle among residents. There will be planting strips, landscaped gardens and benches to provide a convenient township living.
Rubis added that future residents will also enjoy an extended amenity: the exhilarating, unobstructed views of either Samal Island, Mt. Apo, Davao City proper and downtown, or the Davao Gulf, depending on the orientation of your tower.
Much is expected from Suntrust Properties and the whole township, according to Rubis, as their presence is seen to change the city’s landscape.
Wise investment
But what further makes a unit at this Suntrust development, particularly at One Lakeshore, a smart, practical investment is its strategic location. The Davao Park District in particular is a mere 30 minutes away the city proper of Davao and is located in the Lanang area—the north of Davao where new developments are now present, said Rubis.
“Lanang area is regarded as the new Davao or the ‘new city’ which has more breathing spaces for developments,” Rubis said.
Near the Davao Park District are large commercial malls; hospitals including the Lanang Premier Doctors Hospital; the Park Inn Davao Hotel, which caters to businessmen in the region; the Francisco Bangoy International Airport; Davao Sasal Panacan International Port; schools; churches; government offices, among others.
Changing the landscape
Much is expected from Suntrust Properties and the whole township, according to Rubis, as their presence is seen to change the city’s landscape.
“Imagine, we are bringing an Eastwood City-like development in this great city. Our development will help increase the real estate values in our area. Raw land values before we introduced this township development was pegged then at P15,000 per sqm. Now, raw land values within the vicinity of our development is priced at P50,000 per sqm,” he disclosed.
“We expect our first township development will make the zonal values higher. If zonal values are high, this shall mean bigger real property taxes for the city in the years to come. And with this huge development, we will help improve the local economy,” Rubis added.
Rubis cited as an example, Megaworld’s planned office projects, which are expected to generate at least 100,000 fresh jobs over the next five years. Add to that the indirect jobs that will be created as well.
For Suntrust Properties’ 7.2-ha development, Rubis said they expect to benefit the brokers; construction workers; sellers of construction materials (steel, cement); taxi and jeepney drivers; local restaurants; and other various business establishments.
Indeed, investment in a township development like Davao Park District is a wise, practical move. More so for those who choose to invest in One Lakeshore Drive.
“One Lakeshore Drive offers practical investment opportunities. You can choose to invest in a unit that can be used by your children while studying or working in Davao. And after five or 10 years, they can either rent the unit or resell it for a very high value,” Rubis explained.
“Apart from its key amenities and strategic location, future unit owners at One Lakeshore Drive will have easy access to commercial arcades and will benefit from notable building features as well.
“Davaoeños who will invest or buy in One Lakeshore Drive will enjoy the convenience and comforts of living in a township development. They get to experience that distinct ‘live-work-play-learn-relax’ lifestyle,” Rubis concluded.