One man’s vision starts to come to life

Written by: Amy R. Remo

Tycoon Manny B. Villar is a man of passion and mission.

For decades now, this urban visionary has been constantly, tirelessly finding ways to make things better, more inclusive, and more beautiful for his country, bringing the world’s finest lifestyles and aesthetics closer to home.

Yet, even after decades of remarkable work, he is raring to do more. This time, he is on a bold and lofty mission to create a new “megalopolis” that could address the challenges that often come with rapid urbanization. Thus, in 2023, the country’s richest man unveiled the 3,500-hectare Villar City, his most ambitious project to date, rightfully proving that he is indeed an architect of tomorrow’s metropolis.

Next phase

And after only a year, Villar is already unveiling the next phase of development for Villar City. This massive development, spanning 15 cities and towns in Metro Manila and Cavite, presents a refreshing vision for urban living—one that is poised to surpass expectations with its healthy mix of modernity with nature, sustainability with luxury, and inclusivity with excellence.

According to Villar, the next phase includes two golf courses, a church, an events arena, a prestigious university, an integrated entertainment complex with a casino, a renowned hospital, and expanded road networks to further enhance connectivity across Cavite and Metro Manila. These will be thoughtfully distributed throughout the city to meet the needs of both existing residents and future generations.

With these new developments, Villar City will go beyond being a hub of economic activity.

“We carefully selected the different components that will be included in Villar City to ensure that future residents and workers will get to live in a safe and healthy, yet modern and complete environment, where they can be near nature, have access to lush open spaces, walk around the community freely, while still enjoying top tier facilities, leisure hubs and other recreational options, all in an interconnected area,” Villar said.

Vibrant ecosystem

The latest phase of development in Villar City forms part of the real estate magnate’s vision of creating a healthy and vibrant urban ecosystem, as these anticipate the institutional and recreational needs of future communities in Villar City.

The golf courses, arena, and integrated entertainment complex with a casino will provide avenues for residents and guests to relax, unwind, or stay active. The university and hospital will meanwhile ensure convenient access to premier education and topnotch medical facilities, respectively, without needing to go out of this expansive community. The new road networks will further enhance accessibility and connectivity across Villar City.

All these are expected to complement the projects that were previously unveiled and completed in this mega city.

Launches, completions, acquisitions

Last year, the Villar Group opened the first phase of the 10-lane Villar Avenue, which connects Las Piñas, Bacoor and the university district of Dasmariñas City in Cavite, and had completed the P3.8-billion acquisition of the 4-kilometer Muntinlupa-Cavite Expressway (MCX).

It also launched in Villar City the 119-ha Forresta—a “city in the forest” that will soon be home to premium grade, high-rise office towers in a central business district (CBD), upscale residential condominiums, ultra-exclusive residential lots and leisure hubs.

The first phase of development in Forresta is a 19-ha ultra luxury residential community being developed by Brittany. Its initial offering was for premium lots with sizes ranging from 857 sqm to 1,461 sqm. Complementing it is the Forresta Cafe, which opened in December 2023.

Brittany Hotel, meanwhile, stands as the newest crown jewel of Villar City. Opened in March this year, this upscale boutique hotel enables guests to luxuriate in indulgences—from well-appointed rooms, luxurious facilities to exquisite dining experiences. It reimagines the warmth and luxurious comfort of feeling “at home” away from home.

“We’ve only just begun our work. This will take many years—even decades—to complete. But we’re already laying the groundwork, filling up this beautiful blank canvas to create the new center of gravity of Metro Manila,” Villar added.

As the groundwork continues to be laid and new phases of development launched, it will only be a matter of time before Villar City cements its place as the new center of gravity in Metro Manila.

The journey has just begun, and Villar’s passion to create a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable urban ecosystem for the future will no doubt shape and influence the way cities will be built in the years to come.

This article is brought to you by Brittany Corporation.

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