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What’s in store for property hunters and homebuyers in Metro Manila’s growth center in the south.
Known as the Emerald City of the Philippines, Muntinlupa is a highly urbanized, highly industrialized city that is also among the most eco-friendly places in the Philippines. It houses the country’s most peaceful exclusive communities, community-centers shopping centers, and thriving business centers that have been continually developing and growing throughout the years.
History
Although a relatively young city, Muntinlupa as a town is quite historic, dating back to the Spanish rule. Administration of the ten town was transferred to the Spanish government that established administrative control over its sitios; namely, Alabang, Cupang, Sucat, and Tunasan—all of which are the city’s well-known barangays now.
Fast forward to the present, since Muntinlupa’s cityhood in 1995, it has been developed relentlessly by investors and real estate developers into what it is now. Its development boom in the 1990s changed the entire Muntinlupa landscape when Filinvest Corporate City and Madrigal Business Park were developed by Filinvest and Ayala Land, respectively.
Madrigal Business Park. Photo by Jojo Nicdao via Flickr
Muntinlupa also houses a few famous landmarks, such as the burial place of the famous General Yamashita (the general whom they attribute the famous Yamashita treasure with), the Jamboree Lake, which is the smallest man-made lake in the country, and the Memorial Hill among many. Another Muntinlupa landmark is the prestigious Ayala Alabang Village, considered one of the priciest in the Philippines.
Living in Muntinlupa
Muntinlupa envisions itself to be a premier industrial hub of the Philippines; and by the rate Muntinlupa’s economy is going now, it may well be on the way to be one of the country’s most important business district.
A number of major corporations and businesses now hold offices in the Muntinlupa, a few of which are the Northgate Cyberzone, home to companies that mostly specialize in IT and BPO, the Insular Life Towers, which is also one of the city’s famous landmarks, the Asian Star Building, which is yet another city landmark that is also home to several big corporations, and other satellite offices for local and multinational corporations like Verizon Wireless, Maynilad Water, Convergys, Unilever, The Hershey Company Philippines, and so on.
Alabang Zapote Road. Photo by Bryan Montecillo via Flickr
Shopping centers dot the streets of Muntinlupa and play a big role in the city’s economy. Two popular choices among shoppers in the south are the Ayala Town Center and Festival Supermall.
Real Estate Market Overview
Muntinlupa’s real estate market can be described as buoyant. The city is home to a number of top gated communities, a central business district, and new condo estates. It is also Metro Manila’s gateway to the south, and is dubbed as a growth area. Planned and in-the-works transport infrastructure projects (such as the Cavite–Laguna Expressway, Daang Reyna–SLEX Link Road, and Laguna Lakeshore Expressway Dike) are also expected to push property prices in Muntinlupa over the next 10 to 15 years.
Muntinlupa is quite well known for its high-end gated communities, such as Ayala Alabang Village, Alabang Hills Village, and Hillsborough Village, but new developments, especially condo and townhouse estates, are also a constant in the city. Among the well known include TriBeca by Landco, Rhapsody Residences by DMCI, Escalades by Robinsons Communities.
Notable Projects
Rhapsody Residences
DMCI Homes
Price range: Php2.09–4.51 million
Photo courtesy of DMCI Homes
Just 500 meters away from the Skyway and the South Luzon Expressway, Rhapsody Residences is accessible to both Makati and Taguig to the north and the growth centers in Laguna and Cavite to the south (specifically Tagaytay and Nuvali). All units have two bedrooms, ranging in size from 54 to 77 sqm.
Escalades South Metro
Robinsons Communities
Price range: Php1.574–3.231 million
Photo courtesy of Robinsons Communities
This low- to mid-rise residential enclave is great for starting families who wish to have good access to the surrounding commercial areas but live in a verdant and secured community. Units here range from 23.5–25.87 sqm for studios to 41.98–57.60 sqm to two-bedroom units.
