Central Luzon’s economic potential further boosted by Ayala Land’s integrated estates

Written by: Amy R. Remo

Central Luzon has stood out as a flourishing economic powerhouse especially in recent years.

Fueled primarily by improving infrastructure and its increasing competitiveness, the region has begun witnessing an unprecedented growth owing to the influx of investors and businesses across different industries, including real estate. As growth from Metro Manila starts spilling over more to the north, provinces in Central Luzon are now seeing fresh and promising opportunities set to further boost their economic landscape.

“Colliers sees Central Luzon as among the regions that have vast potential in terms of property development. The region is among the fastest growing hubs in the country, contributing more than a tenth to the country’s economic output and growing by about 8.1 percent in 2022, faster than the Philippine gross domestic product (GDP) growth during the year,” said Colliers Philippines

Research director Joey Roi Bondoc

According to Bondoc, Central Luzon is a major beneficiary of the national government’s commitment to allot as much as 6 percent of the country’s GDP on infrastructure spending. That’s because some of the big-ticket projects like the New Manila International Airport, MRT-7, North-South Commuter Railway, and Subic-Clark Railway will directly benefit Central Luzon, helping enhance its connectivity while further spurring economic activities in the region.

Bondoc added that Central Luzon is one of the Philippines’ major industrial hubs, has a skilled workforce, and has an affluent and continuously growing consumer base.

Discerning individuals and businesses can explore the potential investment opportunities offered by Central Luzon through four master-planned estates of property giant Ayala Land Inc. Situated in Bulacan, Pampanga and Tarlac, these estates present dynamic ecosystems that leverage the infrastructural prowess, strategic connectivity, and economic vibrancy defining the region. Through their prime commercial spaces, these integrated, sustainable estates are helping set businesses up for growth.

A lasting, dynamic growth environment

Altaraza in Bulacan

The 71-ha Altaraza Town Center stands right at the doorstep of San Jose del Monte in Bulacan, offering a fully integrated community that presents new opportunities for lifestyle and business with its complete mix of residences, commercial spaces, a hospital, school and open spaces.

Today, this flagship address has begun to grow and flourish with the completion of neighborhoods like the Amaia Steps Altaraza, which comprise six mid-rise towers, and Avida Settings Altaraza, which offers house-and-lot-units; STI’s Academic Center San Jose del Monte, which now has 2,500 students; Waltermart Altaraza, which offers easy access to quality essential products and services; as well as the open spaces, plaza and bike lanes, which provided both residents and guests with green breathing spaces right in the comfort of their community.

For enterprising individuals and businesses however, the prime commercial lots within the 2.4-ha Urban Hub will offer conducive platforms for sustained growth. These lots—with sizes ranging from 1,500 sqm to 1,747 sqm—are ideal for commercial, hotel, office, and institutional uses.

Businesses are thus seen to benefit not only from the rising foot traffic and a ready market in the rapidly growing community of Altaraza, but also from continued land value appreciation. In fact, latest data showed that within a span of eight years, lot prices have surged to about P70,000 per sqm to date, from only P20,000 per sqm in 2014. Compounded annual growth rate stands currently at 17 percent.

Pivotal convergence point for businesses

Crossroads in Bulacan

In the first class municipality of Plaridel in Bulacan, Ayala Land’s Crossroads estate emerges as an exciting destination where all roads meet, serving as a pivotal convergence point for growth and commerce.

This 83-ha integrated mixed-use development, less than an hour from Metro Manila, is well positioned to become an economic engine that can attract a diverse range of businesses, retailers and service providers that can give this town more quality opportunities, jobs, and leisure spaces.

Crossroads’ commercial district, in particular, will feature lots where businesses will build iconic shophouses—unique structures that offer a blend of residential and commercial spaces, while providing the perfect synergy of convenience and opportunity. It’s smart, practical and cost-effective, as it presents the flexibility of being able to grow your business right where you live.

Under its Phase 1 development, Crossroads offers a limited 34 shophouse lots spread across a 12.6-ha expanse. These lots, with sizes ranging from 332 sqm to 1,440 sqm, are priced from P26 million to P133 million for the biggest cuts that have frontage along the highway. Investors have the option to set up restaurants, retails shops, service centers, offices, or a bed-and-breakfast within these shophouses that will rise four or five stories high. The upper floors can be used as lodging or dedicated as dwelling units.

All these will no doubt provide the town of Plaridel as well as the rest of Bulacan with lifestyle and commercial opportunities that can enhance and further energize the province’s downtown experience.

Vibrant future within reach

Alviera in Pampanga

A joint project of Ayala Land Inc. and Leonio Land Holdings Inc., the 1,714-ha Alviera in Porac, Pampanga is rapidly taking shape, drawing in homebuyers, investors and businesses wanting to claim a stake in this emerging center.

Besides having sold more than 5,000 residential units in nine villages being developed by Ayala Land Premier, Alveo Land, and Avida Land, and having turned over four of these neighborhoods, Alviera will also soon see the rise of businesses who opted to set up shop at this estate’s central business district (CBD).

Here, they can choose from the prime commercial lots, with sizes up to 2,200 sqm, at the A-Block Commercial hub, a walkable, green district that is right beside the 10-ha campus of Miriam College opening its doors to face-to-face classes by next year. The district is also strategically close to the Alviera Country Club that houses a wide range of lifestyle and sports facilities for the club members and guests. The estate’s industrial parks are also bustling with operational and upcoming locators involved in light to medium industries. A few more lots are also available at the 7-ha East Commercial Center, whose first investors are now enjoying a 10 percent compounded annual growth rate.

Catering to the holistic lifestyle needs of its residents and locators, aside from the country club, Alviera also features bike trails, Sandbox adventure park, CityKart Karting Complex, the WCamp campsite, kiddie playgrounds, and Greenscapes. In the coming year, The La Salle Botanical Gardens will start development, along with a new facility for golf enthusiasts and the first phase of its retail and lifestyle offerings.

The newest downtown on the rise

Cresendo in Tarlac

The 290-ha Cresendo estate—dubbed as “Tarlac Centrale: The newest downtown on the rise—has begun gaining momentum, premised to become the center of Tarlac’s urban future.

A mixed-use community, this Ayala Land estate is seeing rapid progress in its developments, speaking volumes not only of the promising prospects that await at Cresendo, but also of the growing demand from businesses, homegrown enterprises and even institutions who believe in the vision and viability of this estate.

Among them would be Don Bosco Cresendo, which broke ground in May 2022. The church beside the campus is meanwhile slated to be completed by 2025. Big box retailers along the Luisita Access Road will soon open their doors. McDonald’s flagship “Green and Good” store, which integrates environment-friendly building features, systems and practices, has already opened last month. While MerryMart is currently constructing a full-sized supermarket slated to open by mid-2024.

Businesses can likewise set up shop in Cresendo’s pioneering shophouse buildings, complemented with a multi-purpose field and a themed garden. These shophouse buildings, located within 47-ha Cresendo Downtown, offer leasable spaces up to 300 sqm.

More prime commercial and shophouse lots are being offered at the 11-ha Phase 3 block at the downtown area of Cresendo. Whichever you choose, these spaces can be utilized as offices, training facilities, hotels, residential condominiums, schools, clinics, recreational or sports facilities, among others.

All these four Ayala Land estates will no doubt play a crucial role in shaping the region’s economic landscape. With their prime commercial spaces, these integrated, sustainable estates provide a platform for businesses to thrive, contributing to the lasting, dynamic growth of Central Luzon.