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Last Updated on December 21, 2021 by Lamudi
There is a saying that dreams do come true, and hundreds of millions of pesos make dream homes a reality in these subdivisions.
Note: UpdatedNovember 24, 2022
The general thinking is that properties in gated communities cost more than the usual residential real estate, which is often the case given the security, comfort, and convenience common to these very exclusive enclaves. Along with this is the capital appreciation of properties in these locations, driven mainly by the scarcity of supply and enviable location, which is always a major consideration for property buyers or investors.
Based on the average prices of over 152,000 property listings on Lamudi for the first half of 2023, we rounded up the most expensive subdivisions in Metro Manila. These are considered the crème de la crème and are almost synonymous with the word “expensive” given the lofty prices of the properties they offer.
Forbes Park, Makati
Price Range: PhP 433 million to PhP 1.8 billion
Forbes Park is often referred to as the“Beverly Hills of Manila,”given how it is the chosen residence of some of the country’s wealthiest. Among them are luminaries such as business tycoon Antonio “Tony Boy” Cojuangco and his partner, actress Gretchen Barretto; Bench clothing empire founder Ben Chan; and Filipino boxing icon and now-senator Manny Pacquiao. This posh and exclusive subdivision was established in 1940 and was named after William Cameron Forbes, a governor-general in the Philippines. Forbes Park sits between Makati City and Bonifacio Global City and occupies 250 hectares of land divided into north and south areas.
Inside the subdivision is the famous Santuario de San Antonio Church, which has become a popular landmark and top choice for Catholic weddings of rich and influential individuals. Behind the Forbes gates are establishments like the Manila Polo Club and the Manila Golf and Country Club.
Urdaneta Village, Makati
Price Range: PhP 250 million to PhP 520 million
Another of the most expensive subdivisions in Metro Manila, Urdaneta Village, is the subdivision closest to Makati’s central business district. The village is one of the smallest in Makati and strictly prohibits the operation of commercial institutions in its neighborhoods. Urdaneta Village features Urdaneta Park, a breathing space residents can go to without leaving their subdivision.
Across its Makati Avenue gate is the Ayala Triangle Park. At the same time, the entire length of Apartment Ridge on its northwestern and southwestern sides is lined by high-rise condos and by the Peninsula Manila Hotel. Another nearby business district in Urdaneta Village is Bonifacio Global City. Major roads like Kalayaan Flyover and Buendia Avenue allow residents to have easy access to traveling to and from their homes.
Dasmariñas Village, Makati
Price Range:PhP 110 million to PhP 1.3 billion
Popularly known as “Dasma,” Dasmariñas Village is another high-profile subdivision in Makati developed by Ayala Corporation in 1960. This high-end subdivision was initially planned to be part of the Forbes Park Village.
The village is now managed by the Dasmariñas Village Association (DVA). It is at the forefront of the air-conditioning revolution by being one of the country’s villages requiring all their residents to install air conditioning systems in their homes. The village is known for its tight security and well-maintained, tree-lined streets. It features two parks—Campanilla Park and Mahogany Park—and is also the location of the Colegio de San Agustin. Considered a prime location, Dasma is surrounded by EDSA to the northwest, Ecology Village and the South Luzon Expressway to the southwest, and McKinley Road and Forbes Park to the northeast.
Corinthian Gardens, Quezon City
Price Range:PhP 125 million to PhP 1.2 billion
Corinthian Gardens’ properties boast huge sizes, top-notch amenities, and an enviable address. These are some reasons why this is one of the most expensive subdivisions in Metro Manila, as evidenced by the small but costly inventory currently available on Lamudi. The subdivision is within convenient reach of Ortigas Center, Eastwood City, and Greenhills Shopping Center, furthering its place as a preferred address for wealthy residents and homebuyers who frequent the northern parts of the metropolis.
Residents of Corinthian Gardens enjoy having essential landmarks and establishments inside the subdivision. These include its own kindergarten, dental and derma clinics, a tutorial center, hair salons, a Village Mart, and several restaurants.
San Lorenzo Village, Makati
Price Range:PhP 95 million to PhP 380 million
Alternatively referred to as “San Lo,” Brgy. San Lorenzo, which has jurisdiction over San Lorenzo Village and Legaspi Village, is one of the wealthiest barangays in the Philippines. It is also home to one of the largest private leisure parks in Metro Manila. The subdivision has a total land area of 63 hectares and counts Assumption College as one of the well-known places within its premises. High demand keeps leaving the village with few available properties, but as evidenced by the handful of listings on Lamudi, all are quite pricey.
SanLo is one of Metro Manila’s first gated subdivisions, established in 1954. You will never be bored when you purchase one of the houses and lots for sale in this village, even if you stay within the village’s confines. San Lorenzo Village has well-kept, high-end lifestyle amenities, including a swimming pool, a clubhouse, function rooms, and a playground where you can stroll, play, and commune with your neighbors.
Bel-Air Village, Makati
Price Range:PhP 185 million to PhP 424 million
Bel-Air Village is a 171.21-hectare subdivision located on the northern side of the Makati central business district. It comprises three phases (with Makati Avenue separating Phase II from Phase I and III), comprising 32 streets and 950 lots. Occupying part of the former Neilson Airport, the country’s only airport during the American period, Bel-Air’s first residents were Philippine Airlines Pilots Union members. They wanted to have the word “Air” in their enclave.
Barangay Bel-Air, where the high-end village of the same name is located, has been awarded the cleanest and greenest barangay in Makati for eight consecutive years. It was also inducted into the Makati Clean and Green Hall of Fame in 2005.
Valle Verde, Pasig
Price Range:PhP 35 million to PhP 756 million
The only subdivision in Pasig that can be considered upscale and exclusive, Valle Verde comprises six mini-villages, all of which sit very close to Ortigas Center, Capitol Commons, and Eastwood City. Amenities commonly seen in Valle Verde include a clubhouse and tennis, squash, badminton, and basketball courts. Many prominent personalities in the Philippines reside in Valle Verde, including celebrities, professional athletes, and some of the country’s wealthiest business people.
Ayala Alabang Village, Muntinlupa
Price Range:PhP 62 million to PhP 448 million
At approximately 700 hectares, Ayala Alabang Village, developed by Ayala Property Inc., is larger than all of Makati’s primary subdivisions combined. Truly self-contained, this upscale community is divided into seven districts and features as many as 13 parks and children’s playgrounds. The subdivision’s sports facilities include swimming pools, basketball courts, tennis courts, and football fields. It is most known for being the location of Alabang Town Center and Madrigal Business Park, a retail and lifestyle facility owned and operated by Ayala Corporation.
White Plains, Quezon City
Price Range:PhP 46 million to PhP 403 million
One of the most well-known expensive subdivisions in Metro Manila, Barangay White Plains, has some of the costliest homes in Quezon City. This private subdivision is accessible via Katipunan Avenue and C-5.
One of the first subdivisions established in the city, it is the residence of many celebrities, politicians, and other prominent personalities in the Philippines. They include Gutierrez patriarch Eddie Gutierrez and wife Annabelle Rama, actress Helen Gamboa and her senator-husband Vicente Sotto III.
McKinley Hill Village, Taguig
Price Range:PhP 54 million to PhP 128 million
While McKinley Hill is most recognized for being a mixed-use development with many notable commercial and lifestyle facilities, it also features a gated village that boasts some of the priciest homes in Metro Manila. This exclusive subdivision is called McKinley Hill Village, which is a 10-hectare community with 459 residential lots, and features amenities like a private clubhouse, kiddie and adult swimming pools, and children’s playground, among others.
The European charm of McKinley Hill Village makes it one of the best private subdivisions to live in. This subdivision is also perfect for raising a family as the village is close to numerous international and reputable schools. These educational institutions include Korean International School Philippines, Chinese International School, MINT College, Treston International College, and Enderun Colleges.
Magallanes Village, Makati
Price Range:PhP 62.4 million to PhP 237 million
While smaller compared to other major subdivisions, Magallanes Village arguably still offers some of the priciest real estates in Makati. It has a land area of 119.95 hectares and is home to about 6,000 residents, many of which are expatriates. One perk to living in Magallanes is access to the village’s town center, Paseo de Magallanes, which provides residents and visitors a good selection of restaurants and services at a most convenient location. It is also highly accessible from the Mall of Asia Complex and Entertainment City via EDSA and to the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) via Skyway and the newly opened NAIA Expressway.
Greenhills Village, San Juan
Price Range:PhP 150 million to PhP 467.5 million
Often associated with the shopping complex bearing the same name, Greenhills Village is also commonly regarded as the most upscale place to live in the city of San Juan (and is home to a sizable Chinese-Filipino community). It is known to have been the long-time residence of former president Joseph Estrada and the location of Club Filipino, where democracy leader Corazon C. Aquino was sworn in as the country’s new leader in 1986 after the People Power Revolution.
Loyola Heights
Price Range:PhP 6 million to PhP 250 million
Technically not a single gated community or subdivision, Loyola Heights is situated on the borders of Quezon City and Marikina and is one of the most expensive subdivisions in Metro Manila. Considered a laid-back location, it sits close to good schools, such as Ateneo de Manila University and the University of the Philippines Diliman, important government offices, and some of Quezon City’s business districts. Some of the most well-known—and expensive—villages in Loyola Heights include Loyola Grand Villas, Xavierville, and Varsity Hills Subdivision.
This post is by no means complete. As Lamudi generates more listings from licensed real estate brokers and private sellers, more subdivisions and gated villages will be included, such as Alabang Hills, Hillsborough, Ayala Heights, Philam Village, Merville Park, Multinational Village, and more.
Main image via Deposit Photos
