Inside Inara
Natalia Zobel invites us to discover the wonders of Siargao through her latest venture, the luxury boutique resort Inara
The best thing here is that development’s unique offering is to allow residents to live and work just five minutes away from the nearest water frontage—water, after all, provides life, as well as a sense of serenity and bliss. There’s nothing like the sight and sound of water to achieve that calming effect, a big help for mental health and overall well-being. The channels in between the island would not only provide water frontage but would also serve as reservoirs. The proponents are looking for various ways to utilise renewable energy and minimise carbon footprint in this project.
The development in Horizon Manila would be a balanced mix of contemporary structures surrounded by channels with azure waters and public parks with patches of greenery. Without the typical noise and pollution from the usual urban jungle, this new locale would provide healthy environment for its people. Aside from reinvigorating people’s minds and souls, it would also help the local economy recover since it was hardhit by Covid-19. This mega project would generate around 400,000 jobs with preferential employment to Manileños—a much-needed boost to the local economy.
There will also be a big emphasis on personal mobility in Horizon Manila with its proposed interconnected transportation network—from bike routes to pedestrian priority zones, and also BRTs (Bus Rapid Transit) and water ferries. Imagine conveniently getting from one spot to another sans traffic and stress … With such trouble-free mobility, you could establish a routine without any extra effort and spend some time for leisure, as you relax and recharge while enjoying the your environs and the view.
SMART CITY OF THE FUTURE
Architect William Ti of WTA Architecture, a local award-winning firm, developed the master plan for this “smart city” that integrates Manila’s character and all its nuances with modern master-planning concepts. Horizon Manila will have 28 compact communities and all over would be various attractions such as an art museum, sports stadium, e-sports arena and public skate park, among others. Those living here or those simply visiting would find it easy to explore and experience all the islands’ offerings.
Reclamation is nothing new to the city since it has successfully done so from the boulevard area to the university belt. For this particular mega development, the proponents are in the process of negotiation choosing between Van Oord, a 153-year-old Dutch reclamation company, and Jan
De Nul, an 83-year-old Belgian reclamation company. Both have undertaken some of the world’s biggest and most complicated reclamation projects and both have sterling track records to boot.
“The completion of the reclamation works and the horizontal development for all the three islands will be in the third quarter of 2027. At this point, lot owners and tourists will be able to step on new land. However, onlookers from the shore at Roxas Boulevard should be able to see land rise as early as the second quarter of 2023,” discloses Legaspi.
Horizon Manila will be entirely funded by the private sector. Not only will there be no cost to the government but 51 per cent of the property goes to the government, which includes over 30 hectares of public green spaces and 88 hectares of prime, developable land. Horizon Manila projects that it would be able to accommodate at least 200,000 residents, which would greatly relieve the city’s congestion problem. This new addition to Manila’s map will symbolise a new beginning—not only for the city but also for the country—a resurgence from the pandemic.
Indeed, the City of Tomorrow looks especially bright, especially with the promise of the best view of the world-famous sunset of Manila Bay.
“The master plan for the Horizon Manila reclamation project is aptly named Manileño, as it seeks to focus on the people of Manila and its community”
—JESUSITO “JR” B LEGASPI, JR