Property giant Megaworld, the country’s largest developer of integrated urban townships, is starting to build Bacolod’s new and modern ‘central business district’ this year.

The 34-hectare The Upper East in the eastern district of the city, just a few blocks away from the Bacolod City Government Center, will be home to residential condominiums, malls and commercial centers, mixed-use buildings, state-of-the-art office towers, and hotels, with facilities such as its own transport hub, church as well as green and open parks and a central plaza with creative urban art installations.

The township will be highlighted by a 30-meter wide, 6-lane Upper East Avenue, which stretches for around one kilometer, connecting Lopez Jaena Street to the Circumferential Road. Other roads inside the township will be at least 20 meter wide. 

Centuries-old Acacia Trees will adorn the various areas of the township, as Megaworld commits to preserve them to become part of the township’s unique character and design. 

The entire township is also designed to be flood-free, utilizing underground cabling system for power and utility lines, LED and solar-powered streetlights, fiber optic technology, drip irrigation system for landscaping and water re-use facilities. 

The Upper East will also have its own biking network facilities and free public WiFi will be made available in most parts of the township.

“The Upper East will be the city’s first masterplanned mixed-use community that integrates the live-work-play components of an integrated urban township, the concept that Megaworld pioneered in the Philippines. Around 35% of the township will be dedicated to parks and open spaces. We are excited to build Bacolod’s new and modern central business and lifestyle district,” says Rachelle Peñaflorida, vice president for sales and marketing, Megaworld Bacolod.

Another main highlight of the township will be the ‘iconic’ Casa de Emperador, a mixed-use structure featuring a unique architectural design.

The township also features its own New York-inspired lifestyle mall composed of several interconnected structures that will provide diverse retail, entertainment and leisure offerings. Part of the design of one of the mall’s buildings will be inspired by New York City’s Grand Central Station.

ONE REGIS, the township’s first condominium development

Among the first to be built in the township will be a 9-storey residential condominium development, the company’s first in Bacolod City.

To be called ONE REGIS, this mid-rise residential development offers units ranging from Studio (up to 37 square meters), one-bedroom (up to 58 square meters), and two-bedroom (up to 73 square meters). Some units will feature a ‘lanai’, an exclusive balcony that overlooks either the township’s landscape or the amenity deck’s pool and indoor park. 

At the second floor’s amenity deck, residents can enjoy its first-class facilities such as its own swimming pool and kiddie pool, pool lounge and seating areas, fitness center, events hall, male and female shower rooms and a walk park.

“ONE REGIS will be located right across the township plaza and beside the iconic Casa de Emperador. It will also be just a short walk away from the future mall development. Truly, it will be a perfect sanctuary for those wanting to live the township lifestyle that only Megaworld can offer in Bacolod City,” explains Peñaflorida. 

Located at the corner of Regis and Lexington Streets, One Regis will also have rows of commercial establishments at the ground floor, with their own separate access from the outside.

Megaworld is spending P28-billion to develop The Upper East in the next 10 years. This is part of the P35-billion investment that the company announced in 2015 for both Northill Gateway and The Upper East.