Shophouses and shuttles

MANILA, Philippines - In the business of raising communities for the past three decades, and having built over 200,000 homes in 87 projects in Metro Manila and 19 other key provincial destinations and 44 cities and municipalities, Camella continues to explore amenities that better serve its growing neighborhoods all over the country. Its latest innovations are shophouses and shuttle services that are designed to keep everything within easy reach.

A shophouse, as the name suggests, combines a commercial space with a residential one. Typically found in urban areas where space is scarce, it is traditionally a low-rise structure with a store or business at the ground level and the home of the shop’s owner on the second level. This setup eliminates the need for the shop owner to commute to a separate place of business. Work is just one floor down while home is equally one floor up.

But the shop need not be a traditional store. It can be any kind of business that serves the needs of the community — from a coffeeshop to a barber shop, spa, medical clinic, mini-mart, a water re-filling station and even a business center.

To ensure that residents are not disturbed by the buzz of commerce, the shophouses are located beside the property gate — providing access to the services even to non-residents while guaranteeing the privacy and safety of the residents within its gates.

“While the concept of shophouses is based on centuries-old traditions, Camella is the first in the country to identify its potential in the Philippine setting and utilize it in the context of a master-planned residential development,” explained Camella president Maribeth C. Tolentino. “This setup discourages, if not eliminates, the growth of variety stores and small eateries which are often unsightly and cause unnecessary disturbances in what should be a tranquil neighborhood to come home to after a long day of work.”

Today, shophouses are available in various Camella communities — in Pristina, Fronterra, Grenville, Glenmont, Venezia and Lessandra in Molino.

Another innovation, the shuttle service, ensures that Camella residents stay within reach of the central business hub of the city that the property is located in. Residents are brought to designated points where they can access public transportation to their specific destinations. A return service is also available to bring residents back safely into the Camella property. “More than a convenience, the shuttle service ensures the privacy and safety of the residents and eliminates the need for noisy public transports to enter the property. After all, waking up to the roaring engine of a passing tricycle is nobody’s idea of starting the day right,” said engineer Ric Pallesco, Camella division head.

The shuttle service is already available in Colina, Cerritos properties, Tierra Nevada, communities in Antipolo, Bulacan, Tarlac, Pampanga, Pangasinan, Batangas, Iloilo, Cagayan de Oro, and Davao. 

Also available in Camella properties are swimming pools in select communities, basketball courts, play areas, club house or multi-purpose halls and landscaped parks and open areas.

Camella is a subsidiary of Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc., the country’s largest home builder. For information on Camella developments, call 584-1182, 0917-8576494 for direct marketing; 772-1096 for South Manila; 723-5013 for East Manila; 418-0975 for North Manila; (044) 796-0078 for North Luzon; (043) 757-0702 for South Luzon, (033) 337 7699 for Visayas and (082) 298-0387 for Mindanao projects, or visit www.camella.com.ph.