Eton City to offer quality life away from congestion
By Charles E. Buban
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 00:26:00 09/06/2008
MANILA, Philippines—Real estate in Sta. Rosa, Laguna is reaching sky high, quite evident by the hectic construction activities undertaken in the city by almost every major property developer.
Latest among these is the Lucio Tan-led Eton Properties Philippines Inc., which is now working on the first phase of Eton City.
Located on both sides of the South Luzon Expressway (right at the entrance of the existing Eton City Greenfield interchange) this 1,000-hectare development is Eton Properties’ first and biggest horizontal project, providing residential enclaves, world-class business district, a championship-caliber golf course and a broad range of commercial and resort-style recreation facilities.
“With all the high-profile projects rising around Laguna, we decided to conceive something that is not only unique but also grand in its vision,” described Eton Properties AVP and project GM Alex Jazmines.
One-hectare islands
First to rise would be the 150-hectare South Lake Village that features 18 one-hectare “islands” scattered across a 35-hectare man-made lake.
“It is the first-of-its-kind residential development in the Philippines. While other developers would choose to develop a project around certain topographical or natural features, we decided to create one,” Jazmines informed.
The South Lake Village’s islands will offer a total of 100 lots with sizes ranging from 900 sq m to 1,500 sq m. A package would cost between P12 million and P22 million (at an initial cost of P100 million, prospective buyers may also buy whole islands and have the option of naming them).
While South Lake Village takes shape, Jazmines informed that another development is set to rise on the northwest side of the development.
River Grove
This second phase will be called River Grove since the project will rise along the banks of an existing river, offering 500-sq-m to 800-sq-m residential lots as well as linear parks.
“Plans are also under way in the construction of the golf course located on the other side of the SLEX (east side). Another subdivision, called Golf Village, would surround the golf course to give homeowners a view of the greens. A medium-rise building for residential condominiums and a resort-hotel within the golf course are also in the pipeline,” Jazmines informed.
With plans to make Eton City, the next Makati, Jazmines said Eton Properties is set to build a 100-hectare central business district.
Attract BPO companies
“This will be located in the middle of Eton City and will feature several medium-rise, ‘campus type’ office buildings that should attract business process outsourcing companies as well as retail establishments,” he said.
This new concept in city living promises a quality life away from the congestion and monotony of today’s high-rise jungle.
And while these developments happening at Eton City would seem to compete with other existing and upcoming developments in the area, Jazmines believes otherwise.
“What will eventually rise within Eton City should complement existing and even upcoming communities and establishment in the area. Eton City’s complete city lifestyle in a nature-rich setting will have an immediate and positive impact on its local environs. For example, there will be few reasons for the residents to go outside the province as Eton City will offer them a place to live, work, learn, play and shop,” he said.
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