Metro Nuvali rises as the next premier business capital of the South
Ayala Land Inc. is raising its stakes in the South with the unveiling of Metro Nuvali, the 200-hectare central business district (CBD) rising within its pioneering eco-community in Santa. Rosa, Laguna.
This move to carve out the next Makati CBD and Bonifacio Global City in the “Rising South”, particularly within the 2,400-ha Nuvali estate, indicates the property giant’s continued confidence in a region that has been seeing sustained economic growth over the last decade.
Next wave of progress
In her speech during the launch of Metro Nuvali last week, Ayala Land president and CEO Anna Ma. Margarita Bautista Dy noted that Nuvali stands ready to lead its next wave of progress as Calabarzon continues to be one of the country’s most important economic regions.
“Ayala Land is defining the next chapter of growth in the South, and Metro Nuvali is our clearest expression of that vision. Here, we are building South’s next major business capital purposely designed for a new era of opportunity,” she said.
Dy, explained that Metro Nuvali—a CBD shaped around a greener, smarter and more connected future—represents Ayala Land’s next ambitious step for Calabarzon. It is structured to meet the demands of a strengthening regional economy, a growing talent base, and rising need for more modern urban centers outside Metro Manila.
“Metro Nuvali marks the beginnings of the next Makati, a new BGC—the ‘Rising South’. (It’s) a district designed for ambition but grounded in responsibility; a place built for opportunity but shaped with care for the land and the people who will call it home; and a center of gravity for the region’s growth,” said Mariana Zobel de Ayala, SVP for Leasing and Hospitality at Ayala Land.
Three main districts
Metro Nuvali—said to represent the culmination of Ayala Land’s long-term vision for a sustainable southern metropolis—will have three main districts that will be connected by green corridors, walkways, and civic spaces.
The 100-ha Lakeside District will be the CBD’s vibrant shopping and dining district, anchored by Ayala Malls Nuvali, Seda Hotel, and the iconic Nuvali Lake. Serving as the institutional and cultural heart of Metro Nuvali is the 60-ha Civic District, which will house the Santa Rosa Civic Complex, comprising a satellite city hall, convention center, command center, and hotel, as well as the upcoming Nuvali Parish Church and a retail hub. Meanwhile, the 40-ha Central District stands as the business and cultural link of the estate, anchored by a future 3-ha Central Park.
“Metro Nuvali isn’t just the next phase of development. It’s the South stepping confidently into its future—a future where enterprise, community and the environment grow hand in hand. What begins here will ripple outward, shaping how the next generation will live, work and thrive,” Zobel de Ayala said.
“Ayala Malls Nuvali and Seda Nuvali have long been part of Nuvali’s story, and now they play a new role, not just as destinations, but as early anchors of the vibrant district that will rise around them. Their presence signals what is possible once this vision fully comes to life,” she added.
Redefining opportunities in the South
For her part, Santa Rosa City Mayor Arlene Arcillas, whose tenure has coincided with Nuvali’s growth since 2007, described the local government’s partnership with Ayala Land as instrumental in Santa Rosa’s continued growth.
“Santa Rosa would not have become the thriving urban center it is today without the vision of Ayala’s leaders, who took a chance on what was once a humble agricultural land,” Arcillas said in her speech. “As a city mayor… I assure you our unwavering support. We will continue to nurture our harmonious relationship and maintain a business-friendly environment that welcomes sustainable growth and innovation.”
“As we unveil Metro Nuvali, I invite you to see it, not just as a development, but as a destination that will redefine opportunities in the region—a place where ideas, communities and new industries will take shape, a place designed to stand alongside the great districts of the Philippines and to lead on its own distinct way,” Dy concluded.
