By a certain measure, commercial spaces have defined the character and the dynamics of the estates where they are located.
Thriving commercial spaces that offer a complete, diverse mix of uses have long been proven to significantly spur economic activities in their communities. They generate jobs, uplift the quality of lives, provide unparalleled convenience for the markets they serve, increase the value of land and properties in the area, and more importantly, lay down lucrative opportunities for solid, stable growth for its investors.
Consequently, dynamic commercial spaces that were seamlessly woven within masterplanned estates have helped create the gold standard in mixed-use developments today: one that is progressive, healthy, sustainable and resilient.
First mover
In the Philippines, most property developers have commercial spaces that provide a stable platform for businesses. Only a handful, however, had aptly showcased their expertise in integrating efficiently designed, diverse land uses into an estate to provide a symbiotic relationship among stakeholders and ensure sustainable, accelerated growth.
Ayala Land Inc. is one of the first movers in this respect, integrating in its estates well-thought-out commercial spaces that include offices, training and conference facilities, hotels, dormitories, residential condominiums, educational institutions, hospitals or satellite clinics and retail complexes to provide work opportunities, dining, shopping and entertainment options.
Beyond providing spaces that are highly conducive for business growth, most of these districts have now seen land values appreciating by more than a hundredfold, proof that Ayala Land was able to create the perfect blueprint for commercial spaces.
And despite the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, commercial spaces in Ayala Land estates continue to thrive, providing the essentials amid a difficult period, even serving as a crucial lifeline for both the residents and businesses in their respective areas.
Aerial view of the Nuvali Lakeside Evozone
Suburban ideal
Take the case of Nuvali, a 2,290-ha sustainable estate located in one of the fastest growing locations in the country, surrounded by institutions, industrial parks, manufacturing facilities and lifestyle destinations.
Nuvali has been offering the suburban ideal in the south, with its serene, refreshing residential enclaves that are safe and secure, yet still accessible given nearby thoroughfares such as South Luzon Expressway and Cavite-Laguna Expressway. Residents also benefit from their proximity to offices, groceries, restaurants, schools and other institutions—whose importance became more pronounced during the pandemic.
Evidently, Ayala Land makes it easier for businesses to flourish. Investing in Nuvali’s commercial lots offers the leverage of being in a bustling estate; the stability of having a huge market that can be readily tapped; and the promise of lucrative returns in terms of potential sales performance and land value appreciation. Over the last decade, the value of its commercial lots have appreciated by 300 percent amid a continuing bustling economic activity.
Artist perspective of Vermosa Midtown
Huge market potential
In Cavite, Ayala Land’s 725-ha Vermosa estate presents another modern suburban concept that focuses on Filipinos’ increasingly active and healthy lifestyle.
Its 136-ha central business district called Vermosa Midtown will strategically rise at the heart of the estate, accessible via major thoroughfares including Muntinlupa Cavite Expressway, SLEx, and CALAx. Commercial lots will be home to retail, residential, institutional and recreational developments including Ayala Malls Vermosa, De La Salle Santiago Zobel Vermosa campus; and Ayala Vermosa Sports Hub, which features fitness, training and recreational amenities.
Upon full completion, Vermosa will be host to some 30,000 residents and 500,000 workers, thus offering a huge market that businesses can tap—this, on top of Cavite’s already thriving population, and vibrant commercial, industrial and IT zones, making it one of the most competitive cities today.
Artist perspective of the Alviera Commercial District
Spurring economic vibrancy
In Porac, Pampanga, the 1,800-ha Alviera, in partnership with Leonio Land, is at the forefront of spurring vibrancy and economic vitality in Central Luzon. Touted as a gateway connecting major road networks, lifestyle areas, airports, and seaports, the estate is opening up the region to local and international markets with its eco-industrial parks; leisure spaces like Sandbox and Alviera Country Club; schools like Miriam College and Holy Angel University; and vast, lush open spaces that offer recreational and educational platform such as the La Salle Botanical Gardens.
With Central Luzon being one of the biggest GDP contributors and having the third largest population in the country, higher education graduates, its massive potential alone offers any investor or business owner a significant upper hand as it assures a ready market. In fact, commercial lots here have seen a 53 percent value appreciation in a short span of three years.
Aerial view of Altaraza
Energizing Metro North
In Bulacan, Ayala Land continues its legacy with Altaraza Town Center, one of the first masterplanned, mixed use estates in the province. Rising along Quirino Highway at the boundary of Metro Manila and Bulacan, the 40-ha Altaraza is priming the area for progress with commercial spaces that so far house STI Academic Center, Qualimed Hospital, and soon Waltermart. Well established Colegio San Agustin is also directly accessible through the estate.
Altaraza provides a conducive platform for businesses to grow and take advantage of the prime Quirino Highway corridor and the diverse and large population base, deemed already as an extension of bustling Metro Manila. As investors realize this estate’s potential, Altaraza has seen its commercial lots grow by 165 percent in value over the last eight years.
Artist perspective of Arca South
Gateway to the south
Back in Metro Manila, Ayala Land is breathing new life into a sprawling 74-ha highly networked business and lifestyle district known as Arca South, envisioned to complete the triumvirate of CBDs south of the metro with its proximity to Makati CBD, Bonifacio Global City and Ninoy Aquino International Airport. Soon, the estate will be strategically linked to the planned Mega Manila Subway station, Taguig Integrated Terminal Exchange and the Skyway expansion plans.
This early, Arca South has attracted a number of companies and institutions who value its promising proposition. Within the commercial district, one will find the Z2 Tower, Tryne Enterprise Plaza, Savya Financial Center, Fifty Six Central, Ayala Malls and the Arca Corporate Center in the works. Such investor confidence has so far translated to a 300 percent value appreciation for commercial lots over a span of seven years.
Asked about viable investment options and competitive areas to consider, Roy Golez Jr., research director of Leechiu Property Consultants said: “We have seen how the property sector corrects and recovers after crises with values appreciating over time. Commercial land values in Metro Manila are continuously increasing due to scarcity and good returns.”
“This scarcity factor applies to commercial lots outside of Metro Manila as well, more so in master-planned CBDs or mixed-use developments. Such master-planned and developed areas generate more business and traffic and thus the value recovery is faster. Due to proximity to Metro Manila, we see the adjacent regions to grow faster and value following. The areas of Southern Luzon and Central Luzon are the beneficiaries of the connectivity infrastructure that will be completed within the next 5 years,” Golez explained.
Without a doubt, Ayala Land has mapped out the blueprint for efficiently designed commercial spaces, seamlessly integrating these into its masterplanned estates while ensuring they become significant drivers of economic growth and improve the quality of life of Filipinos across regions.