The future is rising in Metro South
Property development nowadays has evolved beyond roads and structures.
It is no longer a race to pour concrete or stack towers against the skyline, but a more deliberate effort to design and build environments that can sustain lifestyles and economic momentum in the long run.
Developers now recognize that real growth is achieved through scale with structure, shaping districts layer by layer into something that goes far beyond the shell of a building.
This time, it’s all about laying the groundwork for a future city, replete with residential, commercial, institutional and lifestyle components, all working in concert to create a self-sustaining, resilient community.
In Metro South, the 3,500-hectare Villar City is clearly in that phase.
Infrastructure is advancing. Institutional anchors are rising. Commercial nodes are expanding. Residential enclaves are multiplying. Taken together, all these ongoing developments signal a district steadily moving along the road to becoming a modern megacity.
Expanding the retail core
In Villar City’s Emporia district, for instance, ongoing projects continue to reinforce the megacity’s lifestyle-centered commercial strategy.
One of these projects is the Emporia Active Park, an emerging destination that features curated food carts, walkable paths and upcoming street courts for pickleball and badminton. Anchored on a mall-to-market concept, it delivers a modern retail experience designed for interaction amid expansive open spaces.
The adjacent Crescent Commercial Center is further strengthening everyday accessibility. A gasoline station is set to open, alongside popular fast-food outlets and other quick-service restaurants, adding essential services to the expanding grid.
The SOMO Market, meanwhile, continues to attract steady foot traffic with extended weekend operations.
Crucially, construction is also underway for Unihealth Hospital, a 200-bed facility that will significantly expand healthcare access within Villar City.
Scaling for sports and innovation
In the University Town district, land development is actively progressing with The Stadium at Villar City set to be inaugurated by March this year, further expanding the megacity’s sports infrastructure.
Developed in collaboration with All-Star Properties, The Stadium at Villar City is a state-of-the-art sports complex spanning 30,000 sqm. It will feature a 3,000-seat FIFA-standard football arena and dedicated courts for basketball, volleyball, padel, pickleball and badminton.
Alongside it, the University of the Philippines Technology and Innovation Campus is under construction. Envisioned as a future-forward academic hub, it aims to drive research, collaboration and innovation within the University Town district of Villar City.
Strengthening the arteries
Villar City’s crossings are likewise evolving into strategic commercial gateways.
At the West Crossing, Petron is set to open, complemented by fast casual dining options.
At the North Crossing along Daang Hari Road-Villar Avenue, new dining destinations are scheduled to open by the third quarter of 2026. Starbucks and select concepts from The Bistro Group such as Fogo de Chao, Denny’s and Krazy Garlik are joining the district, signaling commercial confidence and expanding the culinary footprint of Villar City.
Lifestyle infrastructure
As physical construction continues, Villar City is also layering in lifestyle anchors.
Hari’s Filipino Restaurant, newly opened along Daang Hari Road, offers a modern Filipino dining experience. Celebrating beloved local flavors in a warm setting, it is where comfort, culture, and community come together at the table.
Heritage Tree Nature Park provides a complementary dimension. Featuring glamping areas, food kiosks and jogging and walking trails, the park offers structured open space within the urban grid, supporting wellness and a growing night time economy.
The demand multiplier
Meanwhile, residential expansion remains a core driver of Villar City’s long-term growth.
Portofino continues to anchor the premium segment, exemplifying masterplanned living at scale. Upcoming enclaves—including Brittany’s Elara and Ardenne, Crown Asia’s Pontello and Novus Prime Residences—are poised to further diversify the residential mix.
At the high-end front, land development and activations are advancing in Forresta, Brittany’s ultra-luxury enclave.
Indeed, Villar City is still unfolding, but it draws strength from the steady progress shaping it, a clear sign that a new center of gravity is fast emerging in Metro South.
