Pampanga's newest gem

MANILA, Philippines - Nestled below the foothills of Pampanga’s most famous landmark Mount Arayat and only 45 minutes from Quezon City is Sta. Lucia Realty and Development Inc.’s newest pride and probably one of its most ambitious projects to date.

Covering over 400 hectares of prime property in San Fernando-Mexico, Pampanga and along the Olongapo-Gapan Road is Beverly Place Residential and Business Estates, the first master-planned golf community north of Metro Manila.

Located right beside SM Pampanga and across the Robinsons Starmills and only 30-minutes away from the Clark Special Economic Zone where the Diosdado Macapagal International Airport is located, Beverly Place has become one of the choicest residential areas in this part of Luzon.

About 70 kilometers north of Manila and just a few minutes from the San Fernando exit of the North Luzon Expressway, this self-contained community is able to marry the peace and tranquility of rural life as well as the hustle and bustle of urban life.

Sta. Lucia officials noted that residents of Beverly Place can live, play, work and shop here.

As the only golf-centered community in Pampanga, it takes pride in its centerpiece: an 18-hole world class course designed by Gary Player that offers convenience for golf enthusiasts to play on some of the most masterfully designed greens amidst a magnificent view of the legendary Mt. Arayat.

The first nine holes of the championship golf course are now complete, with the next nine holes expected to be completed before the end of the year.

Meanwhile, the golf clubhouse, sprawled over two hectares and with a floor area of 1,000 square meters, is now ready for us. Designed by Coscolluela and Associates, the clubhouse veranda looks out onto a panorama of greens and the lake of the finishing hole. The golf clubhouse features a golfers’ lounge, the men’s and ladies’ locker rooms, fine dining restaurant and function rooms, a pro shop, among others.

The driving range, covering four hectares just beside the golf clubhouse, is now grassed and ready.

For the non-golfers, they can enjoy the community’s clubhouse facilities and sports amenities such as basketball, tennis and badminton courts, and the adults’ and kiddie swimming pool. Another clubhouse is being built near Phase 10, which features a wave pool, among others.

Additional open basketball courts are found in Phase 7 and Phase 11, designed for use by Beverly Place residents.

For quiet days outdoors and weekend picnics, residents can also spend quality time around the many landscaped parks and pocket gardens scattered around the estates.

But what attracts buyers to this part of Pampanga is the wide choice of residential lot sizes, ranging from 120 square meters to 450 square meters, and as low as P3,500 per square meter. House and lot packages are also available from Sta. Lucia Homes, built on at least 150-sqm lots.

Choice fairway lots have the added advantage of excellent views of the 18-hole world-class golf course.

Beverly Place is also a quick drive to the City of San Fernando, noted for its sugar industry and for the fine taste of its potable natural water. The city boasts of two public markets, several banks, public and private schools, hospitals, a convention center, a sports arena, hotels, restaurants and fast-food chains, groceries and supermarkets.