as published in parklinks.ph by The Philippine Star

Living in the city can be tiring sometimes with all the hustle and bustle normally associated with it — mind-numbing traffic, smog, and the like. It seems that healthy city living amid greenery and wide, open spaces is impossible for many working Filipinos. Especially when they are left with only two options — either they live in a congested but practical life in the city or live in the more spacious suburbs but endure long daily commutes.

Developers such as Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) and Eton Properties Philippines, Inc. (EPPI) are aware of the city dwellers’ plight, and have focused on creating solutions that provide people with a more balanced and improved way of life. One such solution is Parklinks, their greenest urban development to date which puts a premium on open space, healthy and active living, connectivity, and accessibility.

A BALANCED AND HEALTHY URBAN LIFESTYLE

Located within Pasig and Quezon City, the 35-hectare joint venture between ALI and EPPI is master planned to maximize access to parks and open spaces. Once completed, these green spaces will provide a much-needed breathing room to the residences, offices and commercial areas within the mixed-use development. The parks will be easily accessible — a mere five-minute walk in between the residential and commercial buildings — through a well-designed and managed walkway system.

Parklinks Bridge, which opens in 2021, will offer a safe and convenient route connecting Pasig City and Quezon City.

“What sets Parklinks apart is that 50 percent of its 35 hectares is devoted to open spaces,” said Mel Ignacio, ALI head of project development, adding that the C5 area will surely benefit from an increase in parks and recreation space. The estate’s master plan includes a three-hectare central park located at the heart of the estate and will highlight the natural features of the Marikina River through an esplanade, river park terraces, running and bike trails, and riparian gardens. Not only will these accentuate the natural topography of the land, these facilities will also encourage the community to appreciate the river system surrounding the development.

“We want to offer something innovative to the market, and Parklinks’ features and amenities will provide opportunities for a different kind of lifestyle,” said

Juan Antonio Gatuslao, EPPI deputy chief operating officer. “We enhanced the whole development with various zones where residents and visitors can relax and engage in recreational activities.”

Aside from the aforementioned spaces, Parklinks will also feature zones that are complete with gardens, waterfront entertainment, and an outdoor amphitheater. Parks lined with restaurants, multipurpose lawns, eco-walks and view decks along the Marikina River are also included in the estate’s design.

Parklinks Mall, which is set to open in 2023, will give future residents a dynamic experience and utmost convenience with a location directly accessible from C-5.

A FOCUS ON CONNECTIVITY AND ACCESSIBILITY

Perhaps the most awaited feature of Parklinks is an iconic 110-meter-long and 25-meter-wide bridge that will link Quezon City and Pasig over the Marikina River. This new route will help ease vehicular traffic in the northeast and eastern portions of Metro Manila. The bridge will have dedicated lanes for bikers and pedestrians that will allow for a safe and convenient commute around the development.

Parklinks will be accessible via C5, Amang Rodriguez Avenue and Ortigas Avenue, so access to major central business districts such as Makati, Bonifacio Global City, Ortigas Center and Triangle Park Quezon City will be a breeze for residents of the estate.

Furthermore, the development will benefit from a multi-lane elevated flyover to be built in the area as part of the government’s Metro Manila interchanges construction drive.

A SUSTAINABLE ESTATE’S ‘ALL-IN-ONE’ ADVANTAGE

Parklinks offers all the benefits of estate living with its well-designed fusion of residential, office, and commercial developments. It distinguishes itself by setting new standards in sustainable waterfront living.

“Parklinks will feature Ayala Land Premier ’s (ALP) Parklinks North Tower, the first luxury residential development along the C5 corridor. Residential towers by Alveo and Avida will also be developed within the estate,” said Ignacio.

Anchoring the development will be Parklinks’ lifestyle mall, targeted to open in 2023. The mall will be situated along the estate’s C5 frontage and will have five floors of premium shopping. Above the mall will be a 3,500-sqm. sports complex that will allow residents to enjoy an active lifestyle. The sports complex will house basketball, volleyball, badminton, gym, and dance facilities.

In addition, three office towers are already in the pipeline under phase one of Parklinks’ development. The first of these will be situated above the Parklinks Mall, providing office workers and visitors with seamless access to and from commercial and office areas.

“We’re transforming this development into a community that balances leisure and business, an urban hub that maximizes access to parks and open spaces,” added Ignacio. “It is a reflection of our purpose to enrich lives and make things better than before for everyone’s benefit.”