Not only is the Philippines seeing massive changes in its economy as part of its growth as a developing country, huge transformations can also be felt in the lifestyle of the everyday Filipino.

As Metro Manila continues to grow to accommodate new foreign investors and expanding local corporate entities, several cities and communities are doing what they can to relieve the mounting pressure on the capital. Enterprising and forward-thinking leaders in the property development market are developing new projects in Visayas and Mindanao in the hopes that their efforts might help the decentralization of the bursting capital and divert the attention of businessmen to the potentials of the southern regions.

Visayas, which already holds some of the Philippines’ most notable mixed-use developments, is primed for further economic growth, while Mindanao, especially Davao, is on track to be one of the region’s biggest economic and cultural hubs.

Mactan Newtown

Megaworld Corp.’s Mactan Newtown, one of the Visayas region’s most notable properties, also stands as one of the developer’s most popular and successful projects. The 28.8-hectare township, a master-planned neighborhood that has its own beachfront, is Megaworld’s first major development outside Metro Manila.

Megaworld planned the first-of-its-kind township’s world-class beach setting to be set in a fast-growing modern neighborhood that combines state-of-the-art business office sites, well-organized commercial places, family-friendly and top-ranked hotels, and a highly regarded academic institution.

Located in Lapu-Lapu City, the township is a thriving community with a number of prime office and residential spaces within the Cyberpark just a few minutes away from the Mactan-Cebu International Airport. The township also features various retail shops in the area, along with a school that belongs to the Lasallian Schools Supervision Office. Several other projects, including planned premium hotels, the 8 Newtown Boulevard, One Manchester Place, and One Pacific Residence, the Mactan Shrine and Hitulungan Channel, are also inside the township.

Mactan Newtown is one of Metro Cebu’s major business process outsourcing hubs, with the Cyberpark, the One World Center Tower and Two World Center hosting a number of renowned companies in the industry.

Cebu Business Park

Another notable development in the Visayas is Ayala Land’s Cebu Business Park project community. The township’s mantra, “Growing Business, Growing Life,” is the developer’s attempt at an “innovative urban renaissance,” backed with the union of two unique districts: Cebu Business Park and Cebu I.T. Park.

With Cebu’s premier urban core, Ayala Land saw a multitude of possibilities for the burgeoning metropolis, offering a wealth of choice for multinationals and industry leaders, from prime residential, business, and commercial spaces to the opportunities of a highly pedestrian mixed-use regional hub. Cebu Park District marries the concepts of cosmopolitan living with a vibrant locale in a unique park setting.

The 50-hectare development features the 9-hectare Ayala Center Cebu shopping mall. Cebu Business Park, one of the region’s biggest BPO hubs, features many leading firms in the industry. For those looking for luxury residential spaces, the Sedona Park condominium, Park Point Residences and 1016 Residences are available in sustainable and green community space. The community also comes with a wastewater treatment plant and recycling facility.

Citta Di Mare

Citta Di Mare by Filinvest Land, or otherwise known as the “City by the Sea,” is located along Cebu City’s coastline, a 50-hectare development with the ambition of establishing itself as the Lifestyle Capital of Cebu.

The City by the Sea attempts to capture the charms of resort living with its majestic views of Mactan’s coast and Cebu’s mountains. The development, divided into 2 sections by the Cebu Coastal Road, aims to redefine waterfront and seaside resort living in the Visayas region with a waterfront lifestyle strip that will offer a range of seaside leisure activities. On the opposite side of the Coastal Road, a residential resort town will be composed of themed residential communities anchored by the Piazza, an Italian-inspired common amenity area.

The development on the area is a joint-venture development project between Filinvest Land, Inc. and the Cebu City Government. Amalfi Oasis, the first residential cluster to be developed at Citta di Mare, is inspired by the Italian coastal towns along the Costiera Amalfitana (Amalfi Coast), which is renowned for its scenic beauty, picturesque towns and diversity.

Lyceum of the Philippines University Township

Meanwhile, in Mindanao, the concept of the mixed-use property is being reimagined as an academic haven. Property developer Cebu Landmasters is busy with its joint project with the Lyceum of the Philippines University to develop a 17-hectare property in Davao City into a world-class university township.

Set to begin by the fourth quarter of 2018, LPU Town Davao will be a mixed-use development with academic, residential, commercial, office, hotel and convention components for Filipino students. Located on Sun City Road, Buhangin, Davao del Sur, the site is less than 10 minutes away from the Davao Airport. An estimated 5.2 hectares of the property will be allotted to the Lyceum Davao campus, which will include an academic resource center, a pool, dormitories, maritime center and a football field.

Additionally, Cebu Landmasters plans to bring its flagship brand Casa Mira Towers to serve as LPU Town Davao’s residential option for LPU students and those seeking to reside in Uptown Davao.

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