EVO CITY: The next major CBD on the rise

Ayala Land’s latest mixed-use estate and central business district in Kawit, Cavite, is a rising powerhouse and another major milestone in the province’s rich history

This early, many are predicting that Evo City – Ayala Land’s newest central business district in Kawit, Cavite – will echo the achievements of Makati or BGC. However, given the pace and scale at which this mixed-use development is progressing, it may even have the potential to exceed the success of both estates.  

Evo City’s size, at over 200 hectares, is nearly as big as BGC. But its promise as the country’s next major CBD may be bigger. The estate’s location at the gateway of Metro Manila and at the juncture of big-ticket infrastructure projects in Cavite singles it out as a development to watch. Moreover, the historical and economic significance of Kawit imbues Evo City with both symbolic and strategic value, positioning it as an emerging center of future prosperity.

Gateway to Cavite’s Future

Launched in 2017, Evo City honors the forward-thinking spirit that made Kawit, Cavite, a historical landmark while forging a new path toward a sustainable future. 

Evo City’s residential lot development, The Residences at Evo City, is already sold out. Its first commercial lot development, Evo City West District, is similarly fully booked. Last year, the country’s most popular membership shopping store, S&R, also commenced operations. Meanwhile, the estate’s first Ayala Mall will soon open, as well as the 1,000-seater Catholic Church, set to be one of the largest in the region. These add another set of milestones to Evo City’s remarkable growth.

According to Ayala Land CEO and President Anna Maria Margarita B. Dy, there is only one way to describe Evo City – “It just keeps on getting better.”

Evo City Entrance Plaza, Artist’s Perspective 

Unparalleled Connectivity

“When we first saw this property, our original plan was to build a predominantly residential subdivision with some commercial developments,” Ms. Dy revealed. “But, as we were conceptualizing and laying the groundwork, a series of very fortunate events happened.”

These events were pivotal moments marked by the approval of three major infrastructure projects: the introduction of an Evo City Exit on the CALAX road, the forthcoming direct access to the C5 Southlink, and the extension of the LRT-1 line, which will bring the country’s first light railway near Evo City’s doorsteps.

All these three majors infra projects will give Kawit, Cavite, unprecedented access to Greater Metro Manila’s transport highways and a fantastic opportunity for sustainable urban growth. With these infrastructural enhancements, the estate’s location at the heart of Kawit is guaranteed to attract investors who are eager to be part of something this big.

“So now, we can go from the Calax Exit to Cavitex to C5. Plus, there’s a direct rail link to Manila,” MBD said. “The transportation connectivity is exceptional. Evo City is the hub connecting Cavite, Laguna and Metro Manila. With all this going on, Evo City has all the elements of a Central Business District. We knew we could again replicate our success in Makati and BGC here in Evo City.”

Evo City South District and Technohub 

Evo City South District and Technohub Groundbreaking. From left: Mike Jugo, Premium RBG Head and President of Alveo Land and Ayala Land Premier; Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Senior Vice President, Leasing and Hospitality of Ayala Land; Robert Lao, Group Head, Estates Business of Ayala Land; Engr. Rey Santos, Municipal Administrator of Kawit, Cavite; Coun. Armie Aguinaldo of Kawit, Cavite; Meean Dy, President and CEO of Ayala Land; Mr. Plaridel Abaya, Chairman and President of Kawit Prime Holdings, Inc; Peter Abaya, Director of Kawit Prime Holdings, Inc.; Carol Mills, President of Ayala Land Offices; Paul Birkett, Chief Operating Officer of Ayala Malls

Ayala Land also recently launched two more developments in the estate – the Evo City South District and the Evo City Technohub.

With Evo City West entirely sold, Evo City South District will open up an additional 25 hectares of the property for commercial development, this time in more compact cuts – from 1,000 to 1,400 square meters – to cater to a broader range of businesses. 

Meanwhile, Evo City Technohub is Ayala Land’s first office building in the CBD. This LEED-certified two-tower office complex is adjacent to the upcoming Ayala Mall and the Evo City transport terminal. Evo City’s proximity to colleges and universities will offer Cavite’s workers and new graduates with a “Work Near Home” solution, eliminating the need for lengthy commutes.

Overall, Evo City will build a highly integrated community, balancing residential communities, office buildings, entertainment destinations, schools, parks, and civic facilities. The estate reserves 18% of its total area for low-density residential communities and 82% for mid- to high-density mixed-use.

A Sustainable Integrated Mixed-use Development

Developed by Ayala Land in collaboration with the Abaya Family and the internationally acclaimed DPZ Co Design, Evo City is a testament to sustainable urbanization, promising an unmatched integrated lifestyle in Cavite. 

Since its first development in Makati in the 1960s, Ayala Land has continuously raised the bar in creating sustainable, integrated mixed-use estates. Like Makati, BGC, Cebu Business Park, and Nuvali, Evo City will offer a development master plan balancing real estate uses in well-defined zones that cater to a diverse market base. 

Evo City will also provide valuable community-centric facilities and engaging civic spaces, highlighted by a pedestrian-and-transit network that carefully facilitates traffic and ease of movement. The estate will also have intelligent city features that are technology-enabled and fiber-optic ready to meet the requirements of global locators. In addition, Evo City is building for the long term by rethinking property values in ways that simultaneously serve environmental causes.

All these will enable Evo City to mature into a high-value central business district that will bring immense profit potential and pride to its residents, workers, and business partners.

Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2024/05/07/evo-city-the-next-major-cbd-on-the-rise/