The unrivaled appeal and privilege of living in CBDs
There are undeniable merits to living in the city.
Particularly in areas near or within the metro’s central business districts (CBDs), accessibility and convenience are downright incomparable, given the easy access to every imaginable comfort, amenity, and opportunity. As these economic hubs reclaim their fast paced rhythms once lost to the pandemic, they are now once again premier destinations for residential, office, and commercial opportunities.
A lifestyle of ease
Living within or near CBDs undoubtedly offers a lifestyle of ease.
For one, residences in such districts ensure proximity—at times, walking distance—to prime grade offices and co-working spaces, mall complexes, lifestyle hubs, and cultural centers. It’s a kind of accessibility that is proving to be an indispensable feature for today’s urban dweller.
After all, the time saved on commuting—one of Metro Manila’s most significant daily struggles—translates to better productivity, improved well-being, and more opportunities for leisure. It’s thus unsurprising that many are still on the lookout for their ideal space in CBDs.
This time, however, they are looking for well-integrated spaces that combine work, lifestyle, and leisure, offering a more holistic environment that caters to modern living. That’s why residential projects like The Sapphire Bloc in Ortigas Center, for example, continue to see a healthy demand as this four-tower complex encapsulates the urban advantage—accessibility, convenience and a lifestyle-centric experience.
Genuine social connections
Social clubs are back, too, as people have begun to crave genuine social connections. Run clubs—like the Rockwell Run Club, Tara G! Run Club in Ortigas, and Saucony Run Club in Bridgetowne, to name a few—gained popularity, particularly in communities where condominiums, offices and malls are within a sprint’s distance.
Even tennis has seen renewed interest, while its younger cousin, pickleball, has skyrocketed in popularity with malls and condominiums hosting tournaments and, in turn, creating new friendships and connections within the city.
Thus, despite the current slowdown in Metro Manila, experts anticipate that market conditions will stabilize and demand will rebound soon. It will only be a matter of time before take-up picks up amid a steadily growing economy, improving purchasing power, rising remittances from overseas workers and continued expansion of the business process outsourcing (BPO) sector.
Guaranteed appreciation
For investors, the potential of Metro Manila’s prime urban spaces remains strong.
Historical trends show that properties in CBDs experience steady capital appreciation due to their central locations, premium amenities, and increasing demand. Even as prices fluctuate amid crises, these assets tend to rebound over time.
Latest data from a Knight Frank report showed that Manila recorded an impressive 17.8 percent price growth for high-end properties in 2024, fueled by strong demand from both foreign and local high-net-worth investors. Knight Frank’s previous market reviews revealed that limited supply and resilient demand in CBDs help cushion short term volatility while driving sustained appreciation.
Additionally, rental yields in CBDs mostly outperform those in other areas in Metro Manila. With more professionals and expatriates returning to in-office setups and freelancers seeking residences near co-working spaces, rental demand in these hubs is poised to surge, providing investors with reliable passive income.
Suburban comforts in CBDs
What’s good is that developers today are increasingly integrating suburban elements into urban landscapes. Open spaces, wellness-oriented amenities, and pedestrian-friendly infrastructure are becoming a standard in new and existing CBDs.
BGC, for example, provides work, leisure, and wellness spaces, made accessible by its pedestrian-friendly streets and green zones, while Ortigas Center has pocket parks that offer breathing spaces in a bustling CBD. Emerging hubs like Bridgetowne, meanwhile, combine residential, commercial, leisure spaces and green zones to ensure urban convenience in a more refreshing environment.
In offices like Robinsons Cyber Omega, locators are designing workplaces that feel like a home away from home—where there are more spaces to commune, pantries are teeming with free snacks and vendos, meeting rooms are converted to meeting pods, and table tennis and billiards are becoming more of fixtures.
Co-working spaces, meanwhile, provide free ice cream, yoga classes, and even painting lessons—things one would never want to miss out on, especially when done among like-minded individuals.
Unrivaled appeal
Indeed, the CBDs’ appeal as a place where you live, work, play, learn and even unwind remains unrivaled. Urban living today is no longer about being “close to the action” but rather having an enriching, sophisticated and convenient lifestyle.
For residents, it means accessibility, reduced commuting stress, and access to high-end conveniences. For investors, the appreciation rates, stable rental yields, and increasing demand reaffirm that CBD properties remain among the most promising real estate assets in the country.
Even as suburban and vacation properties gain popularity, CBDs will always appeal to a huge chunk of the demographic, delivering a distinct mix of advantages and a vibrant urban vibe uniquely all their own.
