Until the early 90's, I have passed by the Nestle Plant along the National Road in Alabang on my way home to Muntinlupa and smelling the aroma of coffee permeating the air around the area. For a long time after it closed down, the place looked really neglected and forlorn.
Sometime last year, I noticed the old plant being closed off with large pieces of construction fences and I idly wondered what's to become of it. Now I know! :)
Avida Land Corp. announced earlier today that it plans to develop South Park District, the company's first large-scale, master-planned, mixed-use development, as part of its continuing expansion in the South and in other key areas around the Philippines.
South Park will be a 6.6-hectare development of the Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) subsidiary located on the former site of the Nestle coffee factory I mentioned earlier. It is a very accessible place in the heart of Alabang and near major establishments such as schools, hospitals, and malls as well as the South Superhighway exit, which are just a few minutes away.
According to Avida executives, the multiphase South Park District will cost P12B and will be developed over a period of 10 years. This will be a complementary addition to ALI's roster of projects in the area which include Ayala Alabang Village, Madrigal Business Park, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Southvale, and Avida Towers Alabang.
Aside from residential condominiums, South Park will have a regional mall and office buildings anchored by a central park. It is projected to be a venue for convergence on this side of Muntinlupa that embraces a uniquely Southern experience and brings to life the concept of "Part City. Part Nature. Pure South." In partnership with the local government of Muntinlupa, I'm personally glad to know that this development will be a much-needed facelift in my part of the city.
The first tower of the maiden residential condo project, Avida Towers Altura (trivia: Altura is a fine grade coffee, Avida's tribute to the old coffee plant) was already launched last December 2012 with 433 units comprised of Studio, 1BR, and 2BR units ranging in price from P1.8M to P6M. This two-tower cluster has a total of 1,054 units expected to be completed in 4 years. Six more residential towers are expected to be built within the 10-year development plan.
Avida Land President Christopher Maglanoc shared that South Park District will just be the first of major projects that they are launching this year. "With the upbeat macroeconomic environment, low interest rates, and growing middle class, we will continue with our expansion into new geographies and new products to cater to our target market of middle class home buyers," he promised.
The great news is, South Park District is expected to further boost the already flourishing business atmosphere in Alabang once it opens to the public around the 4th quarter of 2015. Aside from the regional mall where people can find local and international shops and commercial establishments, a number of BPO companies will be embodying the live-work-play environment of the project. The mall is expected to accommodate 400 shops while the BPO office is expected to generate 16,000 jobs.
To make the place more accessible, South Park District mall will have its own public transport terminal, a dedicated taxi bay, and lay-by area for public utility buses and jeepneys, covered walkways, and waiting areas for the convenience of the District's homeowners, visitors, mall patrons, and BPO workers.
"Avida upholds the Ayala Land commitment to improve the Filipino's quality of living," affirmed ALI's President and CEO Tony T. Aquino. "South Park District expands our footprint in the Muntinlupa area and builds on Ayala Land's long tradition of building exceptional mixed-used communities."
As a resident of Muntinlupa, I am looking forward to seeing South Park District finally revealed to the public. Here's wishing I'll have the resources to invest in one of those condo units someday! :)
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