Ayala Land announces newest central business and lifestyle district

MANILA, Philippines – Ayala Land, Inc. recently announced its newest large-scale mixed-use development – Arca South.

Arca South derives its name from the word “arch”, which commonly signifies an entrance.

“The world is filled with monumental arched designed to dominate the place as a sign of welcome or triumph,” begins Ayala Land Vice President and Strategic Landbank Management Group Head Meean Dy. “Arches indicate that you are entering a special place, once where you are welcomed and celebrated.”

This is exactly what ALI envisions for the 74-hectare development in Taguig City: An entrance into Metro Manila from those coming from the South, whether they are from Alabang or Cavite, or even for those using the RORO [roll on - roll off] ships from as far south as Mindanao.

Just as it has done in Makati City and Bonifacio Global City (BGC), ALI will transform the former Food Terminal, Inc. (FTI) complex into another Central Business District (CBD) where families, businessmen, and transients can go about their day-to-day living with ease and excitement.

Scale, location, access

In explaining why Arca South will no doubt be the next premier CBD in Metro Manila, Dy mentioned only three things: scale, location, and access. In terms of scale, 74 hectares spell great possibilities in living, business and recreation spaces. Its biggest advantage, however, is location. ARCA South is right along South Luzon Express Way (SLEX), near EDSA and C5, a 10-minute drive from NAIA, and is only five to seven kilometers away from Makati and BGC. Its proximity to the two ALI CBD developments is believed to complement the needs of these areas and vice versa. “The demand in these two areas can overflow in ARCA South,” notes Dy.

Understanding that mobility is essential, ARCA South will further improve accessibility by capitalizing on two major infrastructure projects: the Southeast Intermodal Transport System (ITS), which can accommodate 4,000 buses and bring in 200,000 commuters daily; and the Skyway and C5/C6 connector, which will include access ramps to Arca South, as well as separate ramps going to the Southeast ITS.

Phase 1 plans moving full steam ahead

The initial phase of Arca South development will have nine office buildings; a 200-room Seda hotel; a 250-bed QualiMed hospital; and a number of lifestyle centers, retail spaces, entertainment hubs as well as dining destinations. Three of ALI’s residential brands – Ayala Land Premier, Alveo, and Avida – will be offered, with Ayala Land Premier’s Arbor Lanes as the first to be launched next month. The 3.4 hectare residential project of Ayala Land Premier promises a “campus-like” atmosphere, with spaced out buildings rising amidst green spaces.

“Green developments are cliché now, but we’re putting it to the next level,” says Ayala Land Premier head and ALI Vice President Giggio Jugo. Sixty percent of the property will be allocated for landscape and open spaces.

When it comes to commercial centers, Arca South will adopt a multiple-retail format with 200,000 sqm of leasable area. According to Dy, it will have a transit oriented mall, which caters to the commuters of Southeast ITS; a regional mall which offers a complete retail experience; and a lifestyle mall, which will provide a wide array of upscale fashion stores, specialty retail and select dining establishments.

Because of its ideal location, nine office towers, with two of it slated to be operational in 2017. In addition, QualiMed – a quartenary care hospital – offering highly specialized medical treatment will also be built in Arca South. This facility will serve as the main treatment hub for the South of the city as well as surrounding provinces.

All these residential communities, retail centers, office building, hotels and hospitals are seamlessly integrated with green spaces. Forty percent of the area is dedicated to open space and the hotels and offices will enjoy a prime garden view. It will also have its version of Bonifacio High Street, wherein 30-to-60-meter wide green space is flanked by retail developments on both sodes.

“Arca South will be a highly pedestrianized city,” remarks Dy. This means that going from one’s dwelling to the office and to the mall will simply take a pleasant walk. “While residents enjoy privacy, they will remain very connected to retail centers,” she adds.

To ensure that Arca South is pedestrian and commuter-friendly, the estate will be equipped with a 24/7 operations center for efficient traffic and road management as well as real-time alerts and emergency response system. An integrated basement parking network will also be introduced.

Two months since ALI acquired the property from the government in 2012, it has already launched phase one of the commercial land. In its full development, 60,000 residents and 400,000 office workers are projected to find a home in Arca South.

“What we are doing in Arca South is no different from what we have done in Makati and BGC. We sold commercial lots to parties who eventually helped prime the development,” ends Dy. “But we have taken the responsibility of putting in the elements required to build a city – residential, retail, office, hotels, then finally a hospital. The only difference in ARCA South is we’re doing it all at the same time instead of one by one. This is how strongly we believe in our vision and how much of a commitment we are putting in to see it through.” For more details on Arca South, log on to www.arcasouth.ph.