More access points to Silang, Cavite offer better accessibility to this world-class boutique community.
One of the best draws of Cathay Land’s South Forbes development is that the air is much fresher there. You can feel it at the South Forbes Golf Club as you practice at the driving range or tee off through the challenging course that offers a breathtaking vista framed by a lush natural forest.
The hilly heights at the course that is located in Silang, Cavite, give golfers great views of the Makati skyline and Laguna de Bay, and because of the rich foliage, one plays among birds and other forms of wildlife. “It is the ideal location for a golf course because of the high elevation, people can enjoy the cool mountain weather coming from Tagaytay. In fact, golfers complain that from December to January, they are actually freezing. They did not expect to feel that cold so close to Manila,” chuckles Jeffrey Ng, president of Cathay Land.
The golf course is a main attraction for Cathay Land’s major property development in the Silang-Tagaytay corridor, where lot and house and lot buyers in their different themed subdivisions can avail of free golf membership. “This is part of our value proposition. At other exclusive golf courses in the area, you have to spend several million pesos just to have playing privileges as a member of the exclusive club. With us, our buyers only have to pay yearly or monthly dues of P2,500 a month and they can already play all year round, even twice a day for 365 days in an all-weather terrain that allows them to play immediately after a heavy downpour,” Ng explains. He proudly adds that their course is unlike the others that are flat and wide, as they follow the natural curves of the hillside in the design to give it a more challenging feel, one that is very much appreciated by their expat players, many of whom plan to retire at South Forbes just so they can play more frequently.
Global Villages
There are 500 hectares of real estate, and these have been divided into several enclaves, each reflecting a different architectural style. “We wanted our project different from the others where you have large land areas and everyone was free to build their house in whatever way they want. We also did not stick to one architectural style because we wanted to offer choices depending on our customers’ preferences,” Ng explains. What they have achieved are unique boutique-themed communities for each subdivision. “People found it quite refreshing, and it is like going home to a different country within South Forbes.”
Their first Horizon project was the Mediterranean Villas, with its tiled roofs and warm feel that is parlayed even in its clubhouse and village entrance. The Chateax de Paris channels charming French details with its shingled rooftops and manicured gardens at the clubhouse. The Miami village goes ultra-modern with art deco designs in predominantly white structures and a clubhouse pool that is shaded by palm trees.
The Asian aesthetic is translated in the Mansions’ locations, with Bali, Tokyo, and Phuket each offering a distinct feel that evokes the essence of each of these exotic locations in the homes, landscaped gardens, and in their clubhouses. The Asian concept has proven so popular that they have launched two other phases with similar themes: the Thai-inspired The Racha Mansions and Nirwana Bali.
They are also meeting the needs of another market segment with their condominium developments. These are perfect for the students from the nearby campuses of Don Bosco School, St. Scholastica’s Westgrove, Learning Links, and the soon to be opened Chang Kai Shek College which will be built on 10 hectares of land donated by Cathay Land to build the biggest Chinese school in the country. Other residents enjoying the convenience of condo living at South Forbes are expats working at the nearby industrial parks and empty nesters who don’t wish to maintain a house.
Value Proposition, Capital Appreciation
With the themed residences, Ng says they have created a bigger demand for the properties. “When we launched our Mediterranean Villas about 10 or 12 years ago, it was at P6,250 per sqm. Now it is almost at P30,000 per sqm. The value has gone up tremendously,” he says. “We are very happy for our buyers because their investment has quadrupled or quintupled already. Not only do they have a good home to come home to, they have made a good investment on their purchase price.”
The Cathay Land vision for South Forbes is to make sure that their homeowners receive a good quality real estate product that offers capital appreciation. “For many of our homeowners, their house and lot is the biggest investment that they will make. Our buyers are those who have already established themselves by working hard and are looking forward to a place they can call their own. What we offer is a nice place for them to come home to every day, one that can make a good profit when they decide to sell their property and upgrade to a larger house and lot also located within South Forbes.”
The current value is projected to become much higher with the opening of the CALAX or Cavite-Laguna Expressway, which will have South Forbes bounded by three or four exits that will make it possible to arrive at the airport in 30 to 40 minutes and will make Makati and the Mall of Asia area accessible with no fear of traffic from the Sta. Rosa, Laguna side.
“As a real estate developer, this is the place I want to be,” Ng says. “This is where I think the biggest land appreciation will be in the next five to 20 years, with the biggest potential for growth of investment. I can’t think of anywhere else in the Philippines where the location is better because of all the infrastructure projects that are being undertaken.”
Community Spirit
Each clubhouse is designed to be the center of attraction for the subdivisions, so they are easily walkable from the homes by about a few hundred meters. Aside from the glittering swimming pools, they also have function rooms where residents can congregate to play social games like mah jong and gardens where they can walk about or practice tai chi. “What we want to build is a strong sense of community, where the neighbors know each other unlike in the big cities. Even our fences between houses are deliberately lower so you can see the façade of the house and neighbors can chat while they are tending to their gardens.”
Everything is conveniently close too, where they have a small shopping center with a grocery, fitness gym, and coffee shop at the center, plus smaller boutiques such as salons and laundry shops and convenience stores located at the ground floor of the condo developments. More workplaces are also coming up soon, as Ng shares they are developing sites for BPOs and call centers, along with business offices, and a light industrial park for light manufacturing and warehousing.
Ng envisions a bustling small city with the residences of South Forbes at its heart. “Our homeowners will enjoy the cool breezes coming from the Tagaytay area, with no traffic, and living in a master-planned community that includes a spectacular golf course. With our developments that range from condominiums to our house and lots, we will cater to everyone. It feels like coming home to a vacation at your permanent residence. Whatever their lifestyle is, there is something for them at South Forbes.”
* * *
For more information about South Forbes World Class Boutique Communities, visit www.southforbes.com
