Biñan there, done that — or have we? Living in the vicinity of central business districts teaches us that, everything there is to see, we already have seen. But this CBD girl, on her first trip to Southwoods City, discovered the joys of stepping away from the madding crowd and slowing down without giving up modern conveniences.
Every day is like a Sunday here, I am told. I went to visit the property on a Wednesday and, upon arriving, I immediately forgot that it was a workday. It’s far enough from the city to still enjoy a cool, breeze, yet close enough that you don’t feel like you’re detached from modern life. Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI), a Megaworld subsidiary brand, makes sure of this by applying its trademark mixed-use concept to the development.
At 561 hectares, Southwoods City is GERI’s largest fully-integrated township, in particular, Biñan, Laguna. Imbibing the Live-Work-Play-Learn lifestyle promoted by Megaworld properties. The development’s relaxed vibe is hard to miss — roads are wide, and paved with paths for joggers and bikers. A truly walkable city, it has a church, hospital and Southwoods Mall all within the community.
Enjoy the Live-Work-Play-Learn lifestyle in Southwoods City, a walkable city with three residential properties — Pahara at Southwoods City, Holland Park (above), and the soon-to-rise residential condominium project Tulip Gardens. The fully-integrated township is complete with all the necessities for an active, well-rounded and privileged lifestyle.
Southwoods Mall is Southwood City’s life force, bringing the community, as well as people from all over the metro, together. Three stories of the complex are devoted to commercial establishments, while the rest is leased as office space.
My personal favorite, the 24-hour Food Hall, is fashioned after the food hall at Megaworld’s Uptown Mall in Taguig. The spacious hall is filled with bright light, has an al fresco dining feel, and carries favorites as well as local finds. Around the mall are more restaurants, including the sought-after Macau Imperial Milk Tea, which Megaworld Global Estate, Inc. vice president for sales and marketing Rachelle Peñaflorida introduced to me with rave reviews.
The lifestyle mall lends a homey atmosphere, as if you can go grocery shopping straight out of bed. It’s a welcome addition to the township and the surrounding towns, because Southwoods Mall is the first lifestyle mall in the area, carrying not only essentials and necessities, such as a Robinsons Supermarket and 1,700-square-meter department store, it also offers leisure and entertainment.
On the third level of the mall is the cinema area, with two Dolby Atmos-equipped theaters.
Located at the heart of the 561-hectare Southwoods development of Global-Estate Resorts, Inc. (GERI), a subsidiary brand of Megaworld Corporation, is Megaworld's first full-scale lifestyle mall in the south.
Also opening soon is a rooftop bar, which will feature live music, drinks and food in a quiet spot overlooking the entire township.
Peñaflorida describes the township as “relaxing, enticing and rejuvenating,” and I have to agree. The pace of city life can take its toll, and coming to Southwoods even just for a day is good for the soul — imagine if you lived here!
Located within the township are three residential developments by Megaworld. Pahara at Southwoods City is a 26-hectare high-end residential community project located centrally at Southwoods City. It sold out in less than a year from launch date in 2014. It features larger units with areas ranging from 239 sqm. to 508 sqm. and high-grade finishes and fittings. Perched on the slopes and greens of the Manila Golf and Country Club, it offers a luxurious and leisurely lifestyle to residents. Soon, the development will be part of the Manila Southwoods Residential and Golf Estates.
A trademark dining concept, Southwoods Mall’s The Food Hall offers al fresco-style dining in a breezy, spacious location.
Holland Park is the second Megaworld development to be completely sold out in the township, and the first condomunium project in the area. Finished in 2016, Holland Park has become a landmark in the community, thanks to its beautifully colored façade. It is a cluster of eight-story condominium buildings inspired by Copenhagen street housing. All towers have retail shops on their first floors, offering convenience to residents — it is also right across Southwoods Mall.
The third residential development within Southwoods City is Tulip Gardens, a five-building mid-rise residential condominium project with units ranging from 24.50 sqm. to 39.50 sqm, in studio, studio with lanai, and one-bedroom with balcony cuts. It features a modern-contemporary design and lifestyle amenities including an adult pool, kiddie pool, jogging area, garden, pool deck and cabana, outdoor playground, a gym, play room and multi-purpose halls. The condominium will also have its own flower garden — yet another space that’s good for the soul in Southwoods City. The fully integrated community is due for turnover in May 2022.
Southwoods Mall has a state-of-the-art cinema with two theaters offering Dolby Atmos sound. All of them feature reclining chairs and lots of leg room for maximum comfort.
A 561-hectare prime property that is carefully masterplanned, complete with all the necessities for an active, well-rounded and privileged lifestyle. It is envisioned as a globally competitive business district equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for its offices to cater to BPO industry, its top-tier residences such as its condominiums Holland Park and Tulip Gardens, and its high end village Pahara, its very own Southwoods Mall, and ultimate lifestyle and shopping destination, and other basic city components within reach, completing its live-work-play-learn concept. It is the best investment down south considering its accessibility, less congestion compared to the metro, and the scale of development it has to offer for business, commerce and entertainment. Definitely Southwoods City ofers the perfect southern lifestyle,” says Peñaflorida.
As part of Megaworld’s thrust of retaining wide open spaces and providing a suitable environment for its Live-Work-Play-Learn lifestyle, it brings the outdoors in by adding large doses of green to its mall interiors.
The south of Manila is known for being laid-back, but Southwoods City, having been born into this lifestyle, has refined it, added the finest amenities, and made it a lot more exciting. There must be something in the air that makes it feel almost like a different world. I return to the city rejuvenated. It may be milk tea sugar rush, or the Southwoods breeze, or the large open spaces they have that I envy so. What ever it is, it’s worth returning to — a quick getaway for the weekend that some are already lucky to call home.