“I look high, I look low
I’m looking everywhere I go
Looking for a home
In the heart of the country…”
Kawit, Cavite—Paul McCartney got that one right. More and more Metro Manila-based Filipinos, frazzled by the stressful existence of living in the big city, are opting for a slower-paced, cleaner, and definitely less traffic-plagued life in the southern provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Batangas and Muntinlupa. Sure, living in the city can be fun, but as many of us are finding out, it is not a lifestyle for everyone.
Choosing between the near bucolic life in the country, and the fast career advancement in the city can be a difficult decision. But with big developers setting their sights on fast-growing spots like Cavite, one can enjoy the perks of both worlds.
Can’t wait for Kawit
Take a look at Kawit, the oldest municipality of Cavite. Historic and “bedroom community” to the core, it was founded for the Spanish Crown in 1587. Formerly known as “Cavite El Viejo” or old Cavite, it was changed in 1718 into Kawit a Filipino term for the word “hook” which derived from the hook- shape shoreline of the province.
In Kawit, Cavite was where the Spaniards met their major defeat with Filipino revolutionist led by Kawit’s Capitan del Pueblo- General Emilio Aguinaldo who was eventually elected President of the First Philippine Republic.
Bucolic? By 2020, try next Central Business District (CBD) of the South, and one of the most prime commercial and residential destinations in the country.
The Kawit evolution is courtesy of the Ayala Group’s vaunted foresight as it recently jumpstarted 2017 with the launch of the 200-hectare Evo City, a new CBD right in the middle of the municipality that is envisioned to rival the posh CBD in Makati.
Evolution in the boondocks
Alveo Land, a subsidiary of Ayala Land Inc., launched the Evo City project last week.
Alveo Land president Jennylle Tupaz, told the Manila Standard that the developments will be a prime business district that will be at par with the Makati Business District and other Ayala CBDs.
Right at the heart of the district, Alveo will have an anchor residential project, The Residences, which will offer the affluent market in and outside Cavite a unique living experience.
The company is targeting to reach sales of P7.4 billion for the new residential subdivision.
“The Residences at Evo City will offer the ideal living experience in the South,” said Tupaz. “With the seamless synergy of all the Ayala brands involved, Evo City will become a prime CBD that will drive growth and progress in Cavite. This will be an estate that delivers complete work and living experiences in a well-masterplanned and sustainable environment.”
Transport infrastructure in the works
Evo City —short for Evolution — will be one of the most prime commercial and residential destinations in the country, vowed Tupaz.
It is bordered by the Centennial Road, Kalayaan Road and the soon-to-be-developed Cavite-Laguna Expressway (Calax).
In terms of access, it can be reached through Cavitex, C5, EDSA, SLEX and NAIA Expressway.
Future government infrastructure projects such as Calax, Cavite C5 Southlink and the Southwest Integrated Transport System will also give further entry to the estate, Tupaz added.
Complete community
The Residences will be the anchor residential projects of the estate which would also include a lifestyle mall by the Ayala Malls Group, a hotel by Ayala Hotels and Resorts Corp, office developments by Ayala Land Offices, and residential offerings by Alveo Land.
There will also be a private school, Tupaz said.
Furthermore, Evo City would include parks and plazas, a church, and hospital to complete the estate. In addition, other Ayala companies such as Globe Telecom and Manila Water will be lending their expertise in developing the communication and water systems.
The Residences at Evo City, meanwhile, is the first residential development in the area located in the southern portion of the district.
It will have a main park and smaller cluster parks situated around the subdivision. There will also be a clubhouse with a lap pool, lounge pool and a children’s pool for residents to enjoy.
Phase 1 of the subdivision will offer 395 lots for sale with an average size of 326 square meters. Indicative average selling price is at P30,000/sqm, and average total contract price is P9.7 million. Turnover of The Residences at Evo City will be held in 2020.
Southern comfort
Ayala is not alone in developing mixed use developments in Cavite. Other big players such as Megaworld are building similar suburban communities that creatively blend residential, commercial, institutional and industrial uses A number of other township projects to watch out for this year in the area include Southwoods City in Carmona, Vermosa in Imus, Lancaster New City in Kawit, Suntrust Ecotown in Tanza and South Forbes City in Silang.
Masterplanned community. Evo City, will build an innovative, prime central business district (CBD) that will advance social and economic progress in the Kawit muncipal area.
