as published in wheninmanila.com

Prices for BGC and Makati real estate (condos and office spaces) can go for 600,000 per square meter today. That’s about 36 MILLION for a tiny 60 square meter studio. Back in 2010, high end condos in Makati and BGC were barely reaching 150,000/sqm, but now the high end condo developments are now going for up to 600,000/sqm. Back then, when people were asked about getting a unit at 150,000/sqm, they would have freaked out and said that it is too expensive; but today, offer that to anyone and they would hand over the payment right away.

Property investment has been, and is, one of the safer investments as you have a tangible “home” that you can use, lease, or resell. The prices and values go up with time as more infrastructure is built, like subways, roads, schools, malls and more.

With the property values in Makati and Bonifacio Global City soaring to as much as Php600,000 per square meter for a luxury condo, a lot of people have regretted passing on investments; but don’t worry, here are 5 other developing areas that is worth looking at today, according to our real estate advisors.

Sta. Rosa, Laguna

Big developers have been banking on unlocking the potential of this area for more than 20 years now.

With the steep increase of property values in Metro Manila, the idea to own a house in Manila has been getting more and more unrealistic. Given the speed and magnitude of the developments in the Sta Rosa area, people have started to move there.

Masterplanned communities such as South Forbes Golf City, Sta Elena City, Nuvali, Greenfield City provides all the component of a business district one will need. Residents in the area can now live and work in that area, as well.

E Rodriguez Avenue Jr (C-5 Road)

With Makati and Bonifacio Global City getting all the hype over the past 20 years, the E Rodriguez (C-5 Road) corridor is now set to take the stage.

What used to be a row of warehouses will get a major upgrade with over 120 hectares of new developments by the property giants popping up along the E Rodriguez Jr (C-5 Road). This side of the city will be ready to share the stage as the Philippines’ preferred business hub.

Ortigas & Co, Inc, Ayala Land, Robinsons Land, Megaworld are all doing business hubs pretty much right next to each other in this area ranging from 11 to 35 hectares.

Cavite

Cavite will be a major benefactor from the infrastructure developments coming up: the Cavite Laguna Expressway, the extension of the LRT Station to NAIC Cavite, and the Cavite Tagaytay Batanggas Expressway, to name a few.

The Kawit and General Trias area will be very promising because of its proximity to the Entertainment City and the POGO hub that is being planned. Ayala Land (Evo City 230 hectares) and Megaworld (Maple Grove 130 hectares) are both developing business hubs in that area.

Arca South, Taguig

The 74 hectare development in Taguig will be a major benefactor of the government’s aggressive development of infrastructure program. Skyway access, a subway station and the North-South Commuter Rail that will run from Clark to Calamba, Laguna and will have a stop right in front of Arca South.

It is perfectly situated between Makati and Alabang, where most of the foreigners in the Philippines are based. Just like in any other business district, expats will be an integral part of the success of any business hub.

Circuit Makati

Circuit will have all the components of the usual business hub, offices, mall, residential buildings, hotels. It will also soon have its own performing arts theatre, S&R Membership Shopping, and Seda Hotel.

Circuit, the current Makati Business District and Bonifacio Global City, is connected via one straight road via South Avenue, which becomes Ayala Avenue Extension, Ayala Avenue, and Mckinley Road. Its proximity and connectivity to these major business hubs will make it easy for expats and businesses to move here in a few years.

Investors have always asked how close a development is in Makati. Well, Circuit is in Makati.