There are so many mixed-use developments going on in Metro Manila that it’s hard to keep track of them. And while the Urban Roamer strives to document each one of them as part of its mission to chronicle the metropolis, there is a sense of fatigue seeing these developments as they all seem to look generic.
As such, developers have the unenviable task of making their developments stand out somehow through various ways. For instance, Newport City boasts of its direct connection to Terminal 3 of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Aseana City has that unique-looking Parqal mall, and Arcovia has that Arc de Triomphe-inspired archway.
Then there is Bridgetowne, which is looking to transform the metropolis in its own way.
To understand how Bridgetowne is looking to accomplish this feat, we have to learn a bit about its location and its past.
Evolution
For one, Bridgetowne is a development that spans two different cities: Quezon City on the west and Pasig on the east. Now business districts that cross city boundaries are nothing new. Foremost among them is Ortigas Center which is divided among three cities: Pasig, Mandaluyong, and Quezon City. (Part of Robinsons Galleria mall is actually within Quezon City).
But what this development even more unique is that development crosses a major waterway as well, the Marikina River, which serves as the natural boundary between the two cities in that particular part of the metropolis. Hence, the name Bridgetowne which not only connects these areas as a single commercial and business district but also connects them logistically with a bridge named Bridgetowne Bridge (of course, though the name is not something to be fond of) which is one of the township’s landmarks.
Bridgetowne is also a huge development at almost 34 hectares, though the interesting about it is that it planned out in a gradual manner. First conceived in 2011, Bridgetowne was originally envisioned to only encompass a portion of the property between the Marikina River and E. Rodriguez Jr. Avenue/C5 which it acquired Republic Glass Holdings Corp. But then its developer Robinsons Land, decided to include as well its now idle properties on the other side of the river. These properties were former industrial plants owned by sister companies Universal Robina (which operated a food processing plant there) and the now-defunct Litton Mills (which operated a textile manufacturing plant in the area). The latest land acquisition for the township happened in 2019 when it acquired the site of the old commissary of Red Ribbon Bakeshop.
Landmarks
Owing to the river in between, Bridgetowne is divided into two halves, with each half having its own characteristics. Bridgetowne West which is the one located in Quezon City is the business and commercial area, with the business component comprised of the office buildings Zeta Tower, Exxa Tower, Tera Tower, Giga Tower, GBF Center, while the commercial component is made of the upscale Opus Mall with all its goldlike trimmings, the events place Blue Leaf, and the future Robinsons DoubleDragon Square which will have retail and hotel space.
The Bridgetowne Bridge is not much to write about, funky design aside. However, it does serve as viable alternate route for those navigating between Pasig and Quezon City without having to pass through the traffic-choked Ortigas Avenue Extension, if only as a temporary relief before getting out to another traffic-choked thoroughfare.
Crossing the Bridgetowne Bridge, you will be greeted with the most imposing landmark in all of Bridgetowne, the 55-meter high statue named the victor. Designed by by Filipino-American artist Jefrë, the statue depicts an abstract figure of a man with one arm raised as if it is celebrating a victory. It serves both as a tribute to the global Filipino as well as to the late John Gokongwei, the tycoon who built Robinsons, Universal Robina, Cebu Pacific, and other companies under the JG Summit umbrella.
The eastern half of Bridgetowne is the residential and civic area and is the Pasig side of the township though at the time of writing, it is not yet as developed as the western half. At the moment, most of the structures there are under construction, particularly the residential towers Velaris Residences, Haraya Residences, Le Pont Residences, and Cirrus. However there is already activity going on in this part of the township thanks to the football field (Atleta 63 Turf) and the open spaces where people go to unwind.
The eastern side is of significant importance at least for a foreseeable future as it will serve as the temporary site of the Pasig City Hall as the current city hall is being demolished due to safety concerns, thus necessitating the construction of a new city hall complex. At least for the next 2 to 3 years, Bridgetowne East will serve as the center of Pasig though owing to the space of the building the city hall will move into, not all city government offices will relocate there.
If anything, Bridgetowne is an interesting addition to the metropolis’ landscape though not by much if one has to be honest about it. Still for its first township development, Robinsons Land has done a decent job in trying to make it unique and more than just urbanizing a former industrial complex. Here’s hoping that the upcoming development would be more bold and unique in creating more conducive townships.
Acknowledgements as well to Wikipedia, Skyscrapercity, and Skyscrapercity
