MANILA, Philippines - Long before towering skyscrapers dotted the Makati City skyline, there existed a vibrant and energized urban district lying close by the river. It was a place where people gather to mingle and socialize, where friendships once blossomed, and tales of the past sang music to people’s ears. Those were the old, glory days of what was then known as the Sta. Ana Cabaret, an iconic feature of the city of Makati that reminded people of how urban life used to be.
A couple of years later, after the Cabaret succumbed to the forces of Mother Nature, Sta. Ana became host to the country’s premier horse race track — the Sta. Ana racetrack. And then, fast-forward to seven decades after, Sta. Ana, Makati now appears to be primed and ready for a new transformation.
Once considered a barren land that nobody took notice of, Makati City has since become known as the face of Metro Manila’s progress and development. The city’s continuous emergence as the country’s leading city is highlighted further by the unfolding of one of the key pillars of the Make It Happen, Make It Makati campaign: Ayala Land’s launch of an urban entertainment development at the Sta. Ana district known as Circuit Makati.
“Circuit Makati is Ayala Land’s 21-hectare integrated, mixed-use development anchored on entertainment experiences that brings together Ayala Land’s various product lines — Alveo for residential, Ayala Malls and offices, and Ayala Hotels,†says Tony Aquino. “In five years’ time, it will rise as a dynamic urban hub seamlessly complementing the distinct taste for living, leisure and lifestyle of today’s modern urbanites.â€
“We envision Circuit Makati to further highlight Makati City’s stature as the country’s unrivaled destination for leisure and entertainment,†shares Meean Dy Strategic Landbank Management Group head.
Circuit Makati looks to become the first and only large-scale urban district development in the country that will host three distinct entertainment venues aimed at attracting families.
The development will feature the Circuit Theatre, an indoor theater that will provide a different sensory experience through state-of-the-art audio and visual entertainment. There’s also the Central Walkway, an interactive walk that will cross the entire length of the district, highlighted by a distinct water feature flanked by an array of retail and leisure shops. Lastly, there will be an outdoor theater called the Globe Circuit Events Ground, a partnership with Globe Telecom, which will be a venue for street plays, festivals, fashion shows and outdoor exhibit events.
“The open grounds of Circuit Makati will feature a 2,000-square meter canopy area, which can house up to 800 people, and is set to be the preferred entertainment venue in the metro, hosting numerous events and activities providing fun for all,†shares Mel Ignacio, Circuit Project head.
Circuit Makati will also feature anchor stores, unique retail concepts, and sports entertainment facilities, all while providing denizens with an extended experience of the Ayala Center leisure lifestyle. The district will also be featuring a football turf and a skate park to further excite sports aficionados. Come February 2013, Alveo Land will be launching its residential projects at Circuit Makati, while the mall and retail developments are also expected to begin next year.
By bringing retail, office, hotel and residential developments, Circuit Makati is truly primed to be at par with the distinguished entertainment and lifestyle hubs across the globe. That being said, Circuit Makati will thus complement the dynamic lifestyle that is already thriving at the heart of the city one that has been synonymous with the rich legacy imprinted by Ayala Land, Inc. on the city of Makati.
For details, log on to http://www.circuitmakati.com or download the Makati Leads magazine from the website.