Where city life slows down: Arca South Estate offers the best of both worlds

Source: "Where city life slows down: Arca South Estate offers the best of both worlds", Jasmine Tuaño, Manila Bulletin, July 20, 2025

What makes a good place to live? At what point does a city turn into a community, and urban dwelling shape into a thriving home life? Different people will have different answers. Some small families may want easy access to spots that put them in the heart of things, while career mavericks will prioritize accessibility the most.

Regardless of differing preferences, there are certain things that will remain the same for many - the need for a place that feels comfortable, while still enjoying the convenience and culture the metro has to offer.

It is this premise that Arca South Estate was created around. Developed by Ayala Land Inc., this 74-hectare master-planned community in Taguig City was built to provide urban synchronicity. Built to provide urban synchronicity, it is a place where one can find green spaces merging seamlessly with lifestyle hubs and business centers. Here is a closer look at some of its prime districts:

The commercial and residential district

One of the biggest woes of the working population nowadays is just how much time they waste traveling to work. Arca South Estate addresses this by placing residents within close reach of key corporate buildings. With 20 residential towers and five office buildings within its vicinity, three of which are already operational, it offers a strategic location for those who want to stay connected to one of the city’s most dynamic business hubs.

More than this, Arca South Estate in general is also accessible via the C5 service road. Its operational corporate establishments are less than a 15-minute drive via this route, such as the Tryne Enterprise Plaza by Alveo Land - one of the first commercial landmarks to rise in the area. Manta Corporate Plaza and MDC Corporate Center are both nine minutes by car (3.5km), while Savya Financial Center and Bamberton Center are only a seven-minute drive from C5 (2.7km).

Several residential projects are close to these office blocks, such as Park Cascades, Avida Towers One Union Place, and Avida Towers Vireo, towers that also combine comfort and convenience for their residents.

A neighborhood for families

It takes more than just a structure to build a home. It takes a family, a neighborhood that meets everyday needs, and a community where one can truly belong for the long haul.

At Arca South, these essentials come together seamlessly. Its residential developments are thoughtfully situated near key establishments that cater to families, big or small. Landers Superstore is just a 10-minute drive via the SLEX C5 Toll Plaza (4.4 km), making weekly grocery runs effortlessly convenient. Recreational spaces like the Arca South Pitch—a FIFA-certified football field with top-tier artificial turf—are also set to open soon. With green parks and lifestyle malls in the pipeline, the neighborhood is clearly designed with family life in mind.

Perhaps most appealing of all, Arca South Estate offers the rare luxury of low-density living in the city. Gardencourt Residences, in particular, stands out with its expansive 6,000-square-meter courtyard and walkable access to the estate’s prime destinations. It's a place where space, convenience, and community grow together.

The retiree-friendly district

When it comes to retirees, urban living might not always be their first choice because of the daily overwhelm of a busy, crowded, and noisy city. Fortunately, times are now changing, thanks to developers who acknowledge the need for spaces that encourage slow living without entirely cutting off their residents from the convenience of the city.

Arca South Estate is the idealized area for synchronicity even for those who prefer greener, calmer grounds. Estate and Main Street Parks are part of its upcoming developments and it also has residential options like Arbor Lanes especially built for those who want to bring nature closer to them.

In terms of access, Arca South Estate houses the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital (4.7km from SLEX C5), a comprehensive cancer care hospital in the Philippines that offers end-to-end services to its patients.

The lifestyle hub

Taguig continues to thrive as one of the ‘places to be’ for anyone and anything hip, cool, and current. For the social butterflies, being a stone’s throw from city hotspots can be a dream, especially if it gives them the choice to switch back to calmer vibes with just a few steps down the road.

This is a life that can be experienced in Arca South. With lifestyle developments continuing to rise, along with Landers that is already open to serve shoppers. By December 2025, Ayala Malls will open its Phase 1, bringing in a curated mix of local and international brands and bites. In terms of bigger venues, the Blue Leaf Event Spaces which will open in 2026, can host up to 250 people for parties and celebrations is also within the area. As for choice of residence, The Veranda is a residential property that is just a 13-minute walk from the mall area.

Being in the heart of the city

Beyond convenience and comfort, Arca South Estate is poised to become even more connected through major infrastructure projects linking it to both North and South Luzon. The North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) will stretch from Clark to Calamba, while the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) will run from East Valenzuela to Bicutan. These two will integrate with the future Taguig City Integrated Terminal Exchange (TCITX), which will serve as a major hub for seamless travel across the metro.

Add to that the Southeast Metro Manila Expressway (SEMME), and Arca South Estate emerges as a key gateway for both public and private transport.

City, community, convenience, and comfort, it’s rare to find a place that offers all four. In Arca South, these are part of everyday life.

For those seeking the best of urban living without losing sight of balance, this is a place built not just for today, but for what’s next. A place where both possibilities and peace are within reach.