Ayala Land’s Parklinks makes room for green, sustainable third spaces
As Metro Manila continues to grapple with a shortage of accessible green spaces, Parklinks is positioning itself as an urban estate where parks and open areas are as integral as its residential and commercial developments.
Rising along the C5 corridor, the 35-ha joint venture between Ayala Land Inc. (ALI) and Eton Properties aims to offer families and future homeowners a place where everyday conveniences coexist with nature.
Green estate
Straddling the boundaries of Pasig and Quezon City, Parklinks dedicates 50 percent of its estate to open spaces and parks, reflecting its vision of becoming one of Metro Manila’s “greenest estates.”
“[Ayala Land and Eton’s] shared commitment to sustainability and high quality of living becomes even more important in the context of C5. Once upon a time, C5 used to be a peaceful area. Now, it really is an urban jungle. I think people deserve something like Parklinks, which is like a respite in the middle of the city,” said Hans Lopez-Vito, vice president and head of Brand Experience and Strategy for Ayala Land Inc.
The estate brings together residential, retail, educational, and lifestyle components.
Ayala Land’s Parklinks North and South Towers offer riverfront residences surrounded by greenery and views of the city skyline and nearby mountain ranges. The upcoming Parklinks Mall, expected to open next year, will directly connect to both towers and is envisioned around a “quiet luxury” concept. Meanwhile, The Lattice by Alveo Land expands the residential options within the estate.
Community offerings
Parklinks is also strengthening its community offerings. Multiple Intelligence International School (MIIS) will open its new campus in August, while Casa Ibarra Parklinks is set to welcome celebrations and events later this year.
Beyond its buildings, Parklinks is also banking on one idea that has become increasingly relevant in Metro Manila: the need for more accessible “third spaces” where people can gather, exercise, or spend time outdoors.
Data from the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) showed that green spaces make up only 12 percent of Metro Manila, with many remaining inaccessible to the public. Against this backdrop, Parklinks seeks to integrate parks and open spaces into the everyday experience of residents and visitors alike.
“Unwittingly, we locked in to the Gen Zs who are looking for this kind of setup. They’re more attuned to condo living, and (would) like to have a mall next door and parks. There’s so much walkability and greenery in Parklinks,” said Ar. Adrian Chua, chief operating officer of Eton Properties.
The estate’s open spaces have also become a draw for pet owners, while its growing events calendar has introduced more visitors to the development. On July 19 for example, Parklinks hosted the Parklinks Run, giving participants a first look at the estate through various race routes. The property has likewise served as the venue for concerts and other community events.
Bridging communities
Despite its location along C5, Parklinks has been perceived as somewhat isolated. The developers hope to change that through a network of five entry and exit points connecting the estate to different parts of the metro.
A key piece of that plan is a 110-meter-long, 25-meter-wide bridge spanning the Marikina River, linking Quezon City and Pasig City while accommodating both vehicles and pedestrians.
The developers also plan to establish additional connections to neighboring developments such as Circulo Verde and Bridgetowne over the next 18 months.
“We identified Parklinks as a possible central location that people all over Metro Manila can visit. Once they experience the events we have planned for Parklinks, we hope to be on the map,” Chua said.
More than a showroom
One of the estate’s highlights is the Parklinks Experience Center, designed by interior designer JJ Acuña. Beyond showcasing the masterplan and model units for Parklinks North and South Towers, the space was conceived as a venue where people could gather and experience the development’s design philosophy.
“He really sees this as a venue where you build a community. He wanted this to be a place where people can come, relax, and meet up with friends. It’s more than just a showroom in a traditional sense,” Lopez-Vito said.
The Experience Center features Acuña’s interpretation of contemporary Filipino design, incorporating furniture and décor crafted from locally sourced materials. The building maximizes natural light through expansive windows overlooking the estate, giving the interiors a warm glow that’s present in many Filipino homes.
“It’s an elevation of Filipino craft, a celebration of Philippine design and ingenuity that has entered world-class levels. JJ wanted to champion Filipino craftsmen and artisans by using local materials,” Lopez-Vito said, adding that Acuña also designed portions of the upcoming Parklinks Mall to create continuity between the spaces.
As Metro Manila continues to urbanize, accessible green spaces remain in short supply. Parklinks is betting that a development built around parks, walkability, and connectivity can offer residents a different way of experiencing city life.
“There’s a French philosopher that once said that the only way to survive a city is to leave the city once in a while. With Parklinks, you don’t have to go too far to find a community here,” Lopez-Vito concluded.
