Property Report recently attended the ceremonial groundbreaking of Ascenda, Ayala Land’s largest estate development in Mindanao to date. Set in the Toril District of Davao City, the 204-hectare master-planned estate reflects a P 10.3 billion commitment—underscoring both the company’s confidence in Davao’s momentum and its continued estate legacy across the Philippines.
Davao’s moment of growth
Davao has long been recognized as one of the Philippines’ safest and most livable cities. Today, it is also one of the fastest-growing. Its economy has been outpacing the national average, strengthened by ongoing infrastructure projects such as the Samal-Davao Bridge, the Coastal Road, and the Davao Bypass Road. These developments are unlocking faster connections across the city, reducing travel time from downtown to Toril and creating new opportunities for growth in the south.
For Ayala Land President and CEO Meann Dy, the launch of Ascenda represents both continuity and bold new investment. “Davao has always been part of our long-term vision,” she said at the event, recalling earlier milestones in the city: Insular Village in 1976, Abreeza in 2007, and Azuela Cove in 2017. “Now, with Ascenda, we are going full blast with our largest estate development ever in the VisMin region.”
A landmark investment
At 204 hectares, Ascenda is Ayala Land’s 54th estate and its boldest undertaking in Mindanao. Its location in Toril balances access and retreat—close enough to the city center for connectivity, yet set within a landscape that preserves Davao’s natural character.
Market response has been strong. As of groundbreaking day, combined sales from Ascenda and its first residential enclave, Virendo, had already reached P2.4 billion, according to figures announced at the event.
The milestone underscores the confidence of families and investors in Davao’s future and in Ayala Land’s proven track record of delivering communities that appreciate.
Nature and community at the core
Ayala Land worked with internationally acclaimed design firm Henning Larsen in masterplanning Ascenda, drawing inspiration from their redevelopment of Singapore’s Bishan Park. The design integrates green corridors, waterways, and open spaces, ensuring that nature is not just preserved but celebrated within the estate.
The masterplan is divided into two key districts: a 65-hectare Town Center and a 139-hectare Residential District. At the heart of the Town Center will be the Eco Park, a first-of-its-kind landmark for Davao. Serving both as a community hub and a sustainable water feature, the Eco Park embodies the estate’s emphasis on livability and resilience. The Town Center will also feature shopping streets, commercial lots, and a community church along Ascenda Drive.
Meanwhile, the Residential District will bring together Ayala Land’s top residential brands. Virendo, the first Ayala Land Premier village in Davao, introduces exclusive suburban living that combines upscale design with Ayala Land’s hallmark focus on community and environment.
Carrying the legacy south
From Makati and Bonifacio Global City to Nuvali and Alviera, Ayala Land’s estates have transformed the landscapes around them, shaping new centers of growth and community. With Ascenda, that same vision now takes root in Davao, positioning the city’s southern corridor as a new frontier for development.
“Ascenda’s value as a residential enclave and commercial hub is expected to greatly appreciate in the coming years, much like Ayala Alabang and Nuvali in Luzon,” Dy noted. For investors, this means a long-term opportunity. For families, it means a future-ready community designed to nurture lives and aspirations.
A shared future
The groundbreaking was attended by Ayala Land executives and partners from the Anflo Group, alongside Davao City Vice Mayor Rigo Duterte II. Their presence emphasized that Ascenda is more than a property launch—it is a partnership with the city, grounded in heritage and looking ahead to the future.
More than a new estate, Ascenda represents a continuity of vision. It ties Ayala Land’s decades-long estate legacy to Davao’s own growth story—anchored in community, shaped by nature, and inspired by the families who will call it home. With Ascenda, Davao steps into its next chapter, where progress is measured not only in investments and infrastructure but also in the lives built upon its land.
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