JR Legaspi lays the foundation to bring Manila to the next eon.
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Manila—the mere name of the capital conveys an allure of bustling streets and charming alleyways that offer trinkets of surprise; a sun-kissed cityscape drenched with fiery passion. Once famed for its magnificent architectural structures, steady flow of businesses, and overflowing art, culture, fashion, and gastronomical innovations, the city once earned the monikers “Paris of Asia” and “Pearl of the Orient.” Many people, including many affluent foreigners, have flocked to the urban sprawl to witness it in all its splendor. However, significant wear and tear have inflicted themselves on each crevice of the metropolis through the years, dimming its glimmer from its erstwhile golden age. But the people of Manila have never lost hope for their beloved home.
To this day, the Manila of yesterday still lives in the hearts of its peoples, along with the yearning to bring back the city to its former glory. One visionary has the opportunity to turn this collective dream into a fulfilling reality through the modern use of land reclamation. “Reclamation is not new in the Philippines, and certainly not new in the world,” says JR Legaspi, president of the proponent of Horizon Manila, as he seeks to revive the image of Manila by creating a new semblance of Eden, just off the coast of Manila Bay. His new project, Horizon Manila, is the embodiment of creating a masterpiece out of nothing. On the waters of Manila Bay will soon rise a new contender for the title of “Paris of Asia,” and to make this possible, he and his team are working with renowned companies Van Oord, Jan De Nul Group, and WTA Architecture and Design Studio.
“We wanted there to be no doubt about Horizon Manila’s safety and viability, which is why we’re working only with the best in the industry. Both Van Oord and Jan De Nul are among the top reclamation contractors in the world who have undertaken some of the world’s biggest and most challenging reclamation projects. Meanwhile, WTA Architecture is a local award-winning firm with a proven track record in its design capabilities. We felt it necessary that the masterplanner be intimately familiar with Manila’s character so that Horizon Manila’s design will give justice and pay homage to Manila’s rich culture and history,” Legaspi reassures.
PAVING THE WAY TO NEW LAND
At the helm of Horizon Manila, JR Legaspi proves that the younger generation are now taking charge of how they see the future of Manila. As the youngest CEO to ever lead a reclamation project, he shares that he’s optimistic and excited about this momentous milestone.
“While it may be scary to be relatively young and inexperienced in the business, you have to remember that you do not have to reinvent the wheel. I am unburdened by the preferences and proclivities that usually come with personal experience. This allows me to be objective about which lessons to take from similar successful projects.”
JR LEGASPI
The project is just beginning, but already promises a treasure trove of neoteric architecture, lush public spaces, booming business hubs, and a cultural melting pot for Manileños. “Horizon Manila will bring back Manila’s status as the ‘Pearl of the Orient.’ One thing unique about Metro Manila is that its prime CBDs are landlocked, such as Makati and BGC, which is a stark contrast to what is seen throughout the world, such as those in Manhattan, Singapore, and Australia. Horizon Manila will give Manila its very own waterfront CBD with an emphasis on sustainability and personal mobility,” Legaspi promises.
Horizon Manila will offer 30 hectares of public green spaces within the centers of Horizon Manila’s three islands, while buildings line the island’s extremities. The entire project is designed to be walkable from end to end within the central park, and be sheltered from the sun and rain by the arcades of buildings along the main avenues. Other modes of transportation will also be available for its future residents and visitors: Bus Rapid Transits (BRTs), water taxis, water ferries, and land vehicles will take you where you need to go.
Horizon Manila keeps commuter convenience in mind as you will always be five minutes away from the closest transportation station. The reclaimed land will also mirror Manila’s character of having adjacent districts centered around a community space. Horizon Manila will have 28 distinct communities, each with their own community space. Amenities such as an art museum, open basketball courts, a sports stadium, waterpark, church, hospital, library, school, and much more will give every resident everything they need within a small radius. But the main attraction of all is the priceless view. Horizon Manila will allocate two “Sunset Parks” for Manileños. These parks will be located on the island’s westernmost edge, providing an unparalleled view of the world-famous Manila Bay sunset.
Read more about how JR Legaspi is reviving Manila in the new world in MEGA Man’s July 2021 issue available on Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio
Photography KIERAN PUNAY of STUDIO 100
Art direction MARC YELLOW and GARI RIVERA
Grooming ARJAY ZURITA
Styling PAUL SESE
Shoot Coordination ERICA LUNA and LOUIS ESGUERRA
Shot on location PASEO PALISOC, CCP
Special thanks to SOFITEL PHILIPPINE PLAZA MANILA
