The pioneering moves validated other big industry players’ intention to channel their future growth plans into less developed sections of major cities—including those located in the provinces.
According to David dela Cruz, EVP and chief financial officer of Sta. Lucia Land, “Developers are now looking to go provincial due to the increasing scarcity of available land in megacities like Metro Manila and Metro Cebu. We are proud that this has been our company’s brand thrust for decades as we look for progressive, suburban locations in the provinces in order to build residential developments that incorporate retail, restaurant and entertainment venues.”
The Sta Lucia Group is a leading developer of golf courses and one of the prime real estate developers in the Philippines
Dela Cruz noted that the country’s population now moves both from the old and central business districts to more suburban locations.
“This is why SLI is now aggressively expanding in the countryside. Best examples are our current major undertakings like Splendido Taal Golf and Country Club, Orchard Golf, and Country Club, Eagle Ridge Golf and Country Club (the company currently boasts 12 world-class golf courses) as well as residential and condotel developments such as Residenze (Cainta, Rizal), Arterra Bayfront Residences (Mactan Island, Cebu), La Breza (Quezon City), and SotoGrande developments in Katipunan, Iloilo, Davao, and Neopolitan, Quezon City,” Dela Cruz explained.
SLI Expansion
Sta. Lucia Land is a giant keenly looking at expanding its presence in Iloilo. A recent announcement on the expansion of four of its current projects namely, Greenmeadows, Metropolis Executive Village, Nottingham Villas, and SotoGrande Iloilo, came after its first venture, the 51-ha Metropolis Executive Village.
Its footprint has since expanded to 262 hectares that included:
- The 172 ha Greenmeadows that is set to become a regional hub with its planned community mall, mid-rise condominium, and business process outsourcing office buildings;
- The 51 ha residential community Metropolis Executive Village that is set to expand by six hectares;
- The 3 ha Nottingham Villas that is also set to expand to include prime commercial areas and residential townhouse units as well as the 6-story SotoGrande Iloilo hotel;
- The 30 ha property in Sta. Barbara, a new residential development
Twin Lakes Tagaytay is the country’s only vineyard resort community.
Growing confidence
Sta. Lucia Land, another major developer, has been confident about Davao’s growth that it has nine projects in the city, including the 60 ha Davao Riverfront Corporate City, which will also have a business park and residential area.
At the core of Riverfront Corporate City is the 40 ha business park envisioned to further drive the booming local economy. And with influx of people, the master planned development will feature 10 ha residential subdivision that is exclusive, secure and will offer the most comfortable city living; a 5 ha Tourism Center and a 45 ha business park which is allocated for office units, residential condominiums, restaurants, and hotel.
Completing the features of this first-of-its-kind community in Davao are the Crocodile Park, Butterfly House, Rancho Palos Verdes Sports and Country Clubhouse, and St. Paul’s College, which has been fully operational since June 2007.
The Sta. Lucia Group has developed over 10,000 hectares of land through some 210 property projects over the past four decades