Provinces north of Metro Manila are catching up to the south in terms of economic growth and infrastructure development. Bulacan in particular, once even considered too-remote a residential venue, is poised to hold its own global business district soon.
Known for being the home to some of the country’s expert craftsmen in the fields of jewelry making, furniture, leather crafts and garments, Bulacan is slowly but certainly metamorphosing into a modern, world-class business hub.
A hub for entrepreneurs looking to expand
Soon to rise and sprawl across the towns of Marilao and Bocaue is developer Megaworld 28th township, Northwin Global City. Within the 85-hectare community, 16 hectares will be devoted to its central business district, Northwin Main Street.
Masterplanned like New York’s Fifth Avenue with designs inspired by French architecture, Northwin Main Street is envisioned to be a sophisticated, walkable district that will serve as the link between the Metro Manila market and business owners from the north, and vice versa.
Northwin Main Street will offer 145 prime shophouses and commercial lots interspersed with well-curated green, open spaces. Shophouses range from 250 to 500sqm, while commercial lots range from 450 to 750sqm.
Ideal for business owners in Metro Manila who are looking to expand operations to Bulacan and offer products to more customers in the north, the business district is open to hosting retail, cafés, restaurants and bars, boutique hotels and outpatient clinics, among other establishments.
Each shophouse may be built up to three stories high, and the top-most floors may be used for office and residential purposes. Meanwhile, commercial buildings will be exclusive to commercial operations, such as offices or boutique hotels, and may be built up to five stories high.
Bridging businesses to customers
Northwin Global City and within it, Northwin Main Street, are developments that aim to bridge the geographical gap between businesses in Metro Manila and potential customers in Bulacan and neighboring cities in Pampanga. While we do live in an increasingly virtually connected society, many businesses still need a physical touchpoint where its customers can experience products and services fully.
Conveniently located along the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX), Northwin Global City will be the nearest business district outside of Metro Manila at only 20km away. Noli Hernandez, executive vice president for sales and marketing, also notes that the township will soon only be 20 minutes away from the New Manila International Airport in Bulacan, which is slated for completion in 2026.
The community will be carefully masterplanned with promenades and walking parks for connectivity and mobility. Forty-four percent will be allotted for green spaces. Megaworld has also anticipated increased traffic activity that comes with any thriving commercial space, and is building main roads and avenues as wide as 30 meters or eight lanes on both sides.
One of the main stations of the Manila-Clark Railway project, slated to be fully operational in 2024, will also be located inside the township providing a convenient commute for residents and business owners.
Bulacan’s Global Business District
The P98B township, due for turnover in 2026, will be designed to draw maximum foot traffic and opportunities for entrepreneurs, and will also host residential condominiums, malls, hotels, mixed-use commercial buildings, educational institutions and office buildings including BPOs.
Among its other features include green innovation and sustainable iTownship facilities, such as stormwater detention for flood prevention, fiber optic and underground cabling systems for utilities, LED and solar-powered street lights, a sewage treatment plant, central material recovery facility for waste recycling, and its own Intermodal Transport Terminal and biking network facilities.
As the famous proverb goes, good design is good business. For those looking to expand their operations and find new opportunities outside of Metro Manila, it may be worth checking out the north. With a much anticipated global business district soon to rise, as well as an international airport and a railway system underway, Northwin Global City seems to be a sound place to lay down new roots.