Nature as centerpiece of development
Tagaytay Highlands, an exclusive mountain resort community south of Metro Manila, has introduced the integrated township concept and is now synonymous with luxury, sustainability and modern living.
The pioneering community, a model of how a luxurious lifestyle can promote and complement the protection and preservation of nature, allows its residents to enjoy unparalleled ease and sophistication amid a curated collection of world-class amenities.
Shirley Chua Ong, executive vice president and business unit head of SM Leisure Resort Residences, says, “The plan is to turn Tagaytay Highlands into a self-sustaining township where luxury and sustainability intersect.”
Tagaytay Highlands founder and chair Willy N. Ocier best describes the signature features of the estate.
“At Tagaytay Highlands, you experience breathtaking nature scenes at every angle, all at once—the placid Taal Lake to its south, the majestic Mount Makiling to the east, and the serene Laguna de Bay to the west. Enriching this dreamlike experience are five-star amenities and facilities like no other,” he adds.
With Tagaytay Highlands steeped in natural beauty, the challenging task for developer Highlands Prime Inc. (HPI), a subsidiary of SM Prime Holdings, was to keep the scenery as pristine as possible while ensuring that residents are provided all the amenities and facilities to enjoy a truly luxurious and comfortable lifestyle.
Building on Ocier’s vision, Ong’s strategic direction was to establish a cohesive mixed-use estate that harmoniously unites existing and future components of the community, from the original Highlands to Midlands, Greenlands and, the latest addition, Midlands West.
“The vision is to seamlessly integrate luxury, nature, and sustainability across all key districts,” Ong stresses. This ensures that the country’s most exclusive leisure-residential mountain resort will make commercial, service, and recreational amenities available to residents and their guests for a well-rounded lifestyle that promotes wellness and environmental stewardship.
Call of the ‘West’
A recognized name in premium resort living, Tagaytay Highlands remains committed to creating thoughtfully designed communities rooted in nature. With the towering trees and scenic nature trails of the Highlands District, the thoughtfully designed green spaces matching the panoramic views of Taal Lake and Mt. Makiling of the Midlands, and the charm of leisure farming embraced at the Greenlands, Tagaytay Highlands continues to align luxury living with a nature-conscious life.
Now Tagaytay Highlands aspires for even greater heights with the introduction of its newest district devoted in promoting a truly holistic way of life centered on sustainability – Midlands West.
The new Midlands West is designed to complement and amplify the Midlands’ characteristically fun lifestyle. The 320-hectare mixed-use enclave will provide amenities, facilities, parks and open spaces carefully planned to sustain and maintain the mountain resort’s inherent values of eco-centrism, sustainability, health and wellness, and luxury mountain living.
These distinct design pillars are Midlands West’s answer to the changing demands of the times, particularly Filipinos’ growing eco-consciousness and demand for responsibly progressive developments that ensure quality of life for present and future generations.
With the professional guidance of 10 Design, an architecture and master-planning firm with regional headquarters in London, Hong Kong, and San Francisco, “This vision promises not only to enhance the estate’s breathtaking vistas and serene beauty but also to create a cohesive, sustainable community that harmonizes with its natural surroundings,” says Ong. She adds, “We want Tagaytay Highlands to remain a sought-after sanctuary, delivering both modern comforts and timeless natural charm.”
Midlands West will integrate sustainable features as part of the lifestyle to promote green living. It aims to promote efficient solid waste management and water conservation practices and set up rain gardens and plant drought-tolerant plants across all future residential projects.
Inspired by its values of simplicity, functionality and comfort, Midlands West’s architecture will be organic, fostering a strong connection with nature by using natural light and ventilation and encouraging innovative use of repurposed and eco-friendly materials.
At the forefront of its mission is the welfare of individuals. Its prime location will allow residents and their families to be enveloped in nature’s splendor while enjoying a variety of outdoor experiences – from passive and active activities to extreme adventures.
Showcasing nature
Midlands West’s commitment to sustainability while providing comfort and luxury is evident in the district’s very first residential community to break ground—Trealva, a 19.9-hectare property. A showcase of eco-centrism and eco-conscious living, Trealva embodies HPI’s respect for nature and commitment to green design.
The name Trealva, which has Scandinavian and Latin roots, is meant to convey the property’s promise of a “bright, exalted land” where residents can experience the transformative power of living in spaces that breathe.
Through thoughtful and minimalist architecture, Trealva not only complements its surroundings but actively enhances them, inspiring a deep connection and a sense of belonging among health, wellness and nature advocates that will call it home.
“In Trealva, future residents can design and build their dream homes as breathable spaces, with organic themes that foster a greater love for nature and its preservation,” says HPI senior vice president Lennie Mendoza. “Natural light will flood through expansive windows, while the innovative use of natural resources will bring elements of the outdoors into the residence, creating an environment that feels alive and rejuvenating.”
The centerpiece of Trealva’s recreational offerings is its exclusive clubhouse, boasting unparalleled views of picturesque Taal Lake and Volcano, as well as the mountains around it. Residents enjoy exclusive access to a host of other amenities, including adult and children pools, and an expansive event lawn perfect for hosting social functions and celebrations.
With 40 percent of the project dedicated to open spaces and stunning greenery, would-be residents can enjoy clear, sweeping views of their natural surroundings. Serving as havens of tranquility where wellness and nature converge are Trealva’s immaculate rain gardens, verdant nature trails, and activity lawns.
Families at Trealva may immerse themselves in a wide array of outdoor activities, ranging from passive relaxation to immersive outdoor experiences. Sustainable parks, with lush greenery, will serve as communal spaces where residents may gather to unwind, socialize and recharge amid the beauty of the outdoors.
Tree lovers
Tagaytay Highlands has made tree-planting and nurturing a mainstay of its various initiatives to preserve its slice of nature. One of its standout programs is the One Tree at a Time reforestation initiative, which aims to plant one million trees by 2044.
After ten years, it has planted nearly 500,000 trees within the Tagaytay Highlands complex. The estate continues to pursue the program to build a verdant, eco-responsible community and to future-proof the development for generations to come.
The estate has also taken steps to make its residents active participants in the task of environment protection and conservation. Community members need not be just passive nature lovers, content in simply relishing the green environment the estate has carefully planned and worked hard to provide for them.
Through its Adopt a Tree program, Tagaytay Highlands extends the privilege of becoming environmental stewards to valued partners and homeowners. Moreover, aside from adopters’ getting a tree under their names, proceeds from the initiative will help support student beneficiaries of the SM Foundation scholarship program.
Tagaytay Highlands’ efforts at building a model residential community have earned it the Safety Seal of the City Government of Tagaytay. It was recognized for providing safety and security to residents, guests, and staff.
The Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development has also named one of Tagaytay Highlands’ developers, SM Prime Holdings subsidiary Highlands Prime, Inc. as one of CALABARZON’s (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) 2021 Outstanding Developers for Open Market Projects.
