Manhattan Garden City: Only a dream

I once lived in Cubao, a district of Metro Manila component Quezon City, with my wife and daughter from mid 2006 to early 2007. Why Cubao? Well, for starters, Cubao is familiar territory since I spent most of my young adult life in neighboring districts. And then, of course, there's proximity to relatives. My father also lives in Quezon City and almost all members of my expanded family. Finally, Cubao is—I felt and still feel—the center of the metropolis, not geographically but in terms of public transport.

It is probably on this premise that Megaworld Corporation, one of the largest property developers in the Philippines, joined hands with the Araneta Group, a group of companies that practically owns majority of land in the Cubao district, to develop and build the Manhattan Garden City.

What is Manhattan Garden City? Let's lift a description directly from the developers:

Manhattan Garden City is the best place to nurture your family and your dreams. It’s a complete community that provides for both your work and play needs and offers a highly mobile lifestyle, that the only way for the family to go is up.

Manhattan Garden City is actually several condominium towers that are being built in a section of the Araneta Center in Cubao District. Its biggest come-on is the fact that it is—or will be—connected to two light rail transit lines that services a majority of the metropolis. Manhattan Garden City's second best attraction is its proximity to Gateway Mall and the Araneta Coliseum, which has seen a resurgence of food and events-loving people.

Sigh. For me, living at the Manhattan Garden City is just a pipe dream. For those who can afford it, though, you may want to check it out.