Why location still matters

It’s an oft-quoted remark that when buying a property, there are only three things that one should consider: location, location, location. This emphasis on where the property is sited rests its argument that location will determine the quality of your life and how fast—or how slow—your property will appreciate in value. Of course, a variety of market forces dictates the price of real estate but it’s safe to assume that the more urbanized the area is, the more expensive the property becomes.

“Aside from the track record of the developer, another crucial factor to consider is location,” says Emma Amores, Corporate Communications Head.  “Way before planning for our high-rise developments, we have already determined key areas that are desirable for the end user and have the most potential for growth. We also play to the strengths of the location. For instance, in Katipunan, we know that our target market there is composed mainly of parents who want to give their children the best possible accommodation in their college life.”

Indeed, every location has its own particular identity, charm and treasure trove of opportunities. In Quezon City, Vista Residences conceptualized glitzy developments as a nod to the city being the “Entertainment Capital of the Philippines.” The company located its two projects, Symphony Tower and Wil Tower Mall, near the two biggest broadcasting stations in the country: ABS-CBN and GMA 7. Some of the unit owners work for either of the two, finding the convenience of just walking to work or home as refreshing.

Another sector that has found these developments appealing is government executives; Quezon City has the most number of government offices in Metro Manila. After work, they can easily find some relaxation along the many restaurants of Tomas Morato or in the city’s gigantic malls, SM North Edsa and Trinoma. For their medical needs, the residents have plenty of choices: from Capitol Medical Center in Quezon Avenue to St. Luke’s Medical Center in E. Rodriguez Avenue to Heart Center in East Avenue.

Quezon City is home to some of the best universities of the country such as University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and Miriam College. As mentioned, the company is currently building Vista Residence Katipunan which is stone’s throw away from these institutions of learning. Katipunan, with its many restaurants, is also evolving as a veritable dining destination of its own.

In terms of the sheer number of universities, nothing can beat the capital Manila. 878 España, a single-tower development, seeks to provide comfortable home to those studying in University of Santo Tomas, and also those in Far Eastern University, University of the East and Centro Escolar University, among others. At the other end of Manila, the company is building Vista Residence Taft which will service the lodging needs of students in De La Salle College, College of St. Benilde and St. Scholastica’s College.

Manila’s charm is largely historical, chiefly due to Intramuros with its centuries-old churches such as Manila Cathedral and San Agustin Church. It remains also as the country’s publishing capital as it is the home of newspaper organizations. In terms of leisure opportunities, it has many things to offer. Malate remains to be a vibrant hub of bars, restaurants and cafés while malls (Robinson’s Place, SM Manila and Harrison Plaza) provide the high of retail therapy.

When it comes to commercial complexes, however, nothing comes close to Mandaluyong, which is dubbed as the “Mall Capital of the Philippines.” Vista Residences’ development in this city is 515 Shaw which, as its name suggests, is located along the main artery of Shaw Boulevard. Mere minutes is all it takes to be at SM Megamall, Shangri-La Mall, Star Mall and Robinson’s Galleria.

 

Mandaluyong is also home, or is close to, some of the best high schools in Metro Manila such as OB Montessori, La Salle Greenhills, Poveda College, Xavier School and Lourdes School. Because of its privileged location, the city is close to central business districts (CBD) of Bonifacio Global City, Makati and Ortigas.

Right at the heart of the Ortigas CBD is The Currency, which is located in the corners of the district’s most famous streets: Dona Julia Vargas Avenue, F. Ortigas Jr. Avenue (formerly Emerald Ave) and Garnet Road. The development, which features both residential and commercial places, is in close proximity to five star hotels (Shangri-La Mall and Discovery Suites), national and multi-national headquarters (San Miguel), malls (SM Megamall, The Podium, Shangri-La Mall) and happening places (El Pueblo, The Strip and Metrowalk).

Still regarded as the country’s “Financial Capital,” Makati City is home to a plenitude of offices, both local and international. It has a clutch of five-star hotels (Shangri-La Mall, Peninsula Manila, Intercontinental Hotel, Mandarin Oriental), topnotch museums and galleries (Ayala Museum, Finale Art File) and world-class hospital (Makati Medical Center). Greenbelt and Glorietta comprise the main commercial hub of the city whose expansion shows no sign of abating.

Vista Residences has located some of its premier developments in the CBD’s most notable villages: Mosaic and KL Mosaic Towers and The Gallery (Legapsi Village) and Salcedo Square (Salcedo Village).  The towers in Legaspi Village have the good fortune to be walking distance to the high-end dining and shopping and experience of Greenbelt while Salcedo Square boasts proximity to Ayala Triangle with its equally arresting dining choices.

Trevi Towers, another Vista Residence project which is located along Pasong Tamo, Makati,  is neighbors with Little Tokyo (a clutch of restaurants that serve authentic Japanese food), the mall Makati Cinema Square and the schools of Don Bosco, Assumption and San Agustin.

Evolving to be the country’s showroom to the world, Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig is proving to be another seductive choice of address. In this location, Vista Residences has Avant at the Fort, the first building constructed at BGC with the tenets of green architecture in mind.

BGC’s primary retail experience is offered by Bonifacio High Street while the newly opened SM Aura adds to the number of high-end shops that now operate in the city. It is home to a world-class museum (Mind Museum), hospital (St. Luke’s Hospital) and offices (Net One, Bonifacio Technology Center, JP Morgan). Shangri-La Hotel will soon add to the growing skyline of BGC.

“Our presence in the most urbanized centers of the city gives prospective unit buyers a variety of choice on where they wish to live,” says Amores. The key in selecting a development is for him to determine his needs, his lifestyle and his objective. From the North to the South of Metro Manila, a right Vista Residences project is waiting for him.”