Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) recently announced that its marquee project Alviera—an ambitious mixed-use estate in Porac, Pampanga— is experiencing a 97% take-up for the first phase of its 1,800 hectares development, while land value has appreciated by 25%.
In a press briefing this week, Alviera General Manager John Estacio pronounced satisfaction with the sprawling project’s progress and predicted that 250 hectares of the estate’s master plan will be activated by the end of 2018.
The former general manager of Nuvali, another ALI mixed-use development south of Philippines’ capital city, pointed to the strong reception of the markets in Metro Manila and in Central Luzon for the brisk take-up of residential offerings in the estate. He said Avida’s second development has been introduced, while Alveo Land and Ayala Land Premier’s is set to launch new residential offerings by the fourth quarter of 2018.
Expansion
Alviera, in partnership with Leonio Holdings Inc., added 700-hectares to the development late last year and expanded to 1,800 hectares with its investment raised from P90 billion to P100 billion.
The 64-hectare Eco-Industrial Park at full development is expected to create 3,000 jobs. 41 industrial lots are sold and locators are expected to start operations by end of the year. Commercial lot sales have also started to bring in new investors with 25% sales take up.
“We decided to expand because we are planning to contribute in the development of tourism in the country,” Estacio said.
“ALI made this investment to attract the top foreign leisure players from Europe, Asia, and North America to boost tourism in the Philippines,” he explained.
In anticipation of the potential boom of Central Luzon, ALI is developing Alviera as the catalyst that will boost the economic activities in the region by putting residential, business, tourism and leisure pursuits in one estate.
Estacio said Central Luzon is a logical choice as it has the third-largest GDP among the country’s regions and the second-largest population of higher-education graduates. Meanwhile, the region’s tourism industry has a huge potential with over 3.6 million arrivals in 2015.
The government is embarking on several huge infrastructure projects, such as the North Luzon Expressway-South Luzon Expressway Connector Road, modernization and the expansion of the Clark Airport and the development of Clark-Manila high-speed railway.
Four districts
Positioned as a master-planned, integrated community, Alviera is comprised of several features now to be delineated by four districts—reflecting Alviera’s position of urban living in nature.
The Alviera East will be the hub of thriving industrial and commercial centers. Avida and Alveo will complement the development of the residential component, while Holy Angel University will handle the educational needs and employment through the Industrial Park and the Alviera East Commercial.
Local entrepreneurs, according to Estacio, gave a warm response with a rapid 95-percent sales take-up of the first phase of the Alviera Industrial Park with 16 industrial lots. He added the estate is expected to launch a second phase of the industrial park covering 32-has. It has signed locators in food manufacturing, motorcycle assembly, packaging and logistics, and warehousing. The non-PEZA industrial park was designed for light to medium, nonpolluting industries.
Alviera will likewise offer entrepreneurs new opportunities for investment and business through the Alviera East Commercial, a 7-hectare commercial hub situated next to an institution, the industrial park and the 180-hectare residential communities.
The Alviera city center, the focal point of the estate, will be accessible to visitors from Subic-Tarlac Expressway (ScTex) and major thoroughfares according to Estacio. It will host the commercial and business district, a regional mall, convergence areas, as well as residential dwellings at the heart of the estate.
Alviera West
Estacio said Alviera West will highlight leisure living including lush greenery, rolling terrain and high elevation which will allow a bird’s eye view of the whole estate. Aside from being a venue for outdoor activities, Alviera West will have themed hotels, wellness centers and leisure developments to enable international locators to work well in the area.
Strong residential take up
Estacio pointed out that residential sales had been promising for both Avida Settings Alviera and Montala by Alveo, whose blended take up was estimated to be around 74 percent. On top of that, land values for these two projects have appreciated by at least 20 percent since 2015.
Early this year, Avida launched its second subdivision in Alviera called the Avida Northdale Settings, while Alveo introduced a second subdivision along with Ayala Land Premier with its first residential project in the estate.
The Avida Northdale is expected to be twice the size of the brand’s first subdivision in Alviera. This project is set to cater to the mid affordable market segment, with a project focus on the convenience of being in the center of everything.
On offer would be 116 house and lots, and 1,043 lots. Prospective buyers and investors will get to enjoy world-class facilities and amenities at the Avida Northdale, which is targeted for completion by August 2022.
Spreading economic activity
Another attraction that is expected to drive leisure and economic activity in the area is a six-hectare country club. Geared to open by the third quarter of 2019, the Alviera country club will have a variety of lifestyle, business and wellness facilities for social and corporate functions.
Estacio revealed that plans have been firmed up recently for a 50-room boutique hotel adjacent to the country club, though he declined for now to mention the specific investor. He acknowledged, however, the possibility of a groundbreaking early next year.
To spread economic activity to the nearby communities, Estacio said 86 percent of the estate’s employees will locally be hired. Communities will also be encouraged to be involved in livelihood programs like construction materials production and food services, designed to address the needs of the estate, he said.
“Alviera is also committed to provide support to the education of the youth in its neighboring communities,” Estacio added. “The estate recently turned over a new high school to Barangay Sapang Uwak, and is planning to build a new elementary school in the coming months.”
