MUNTINLUPA CITY — SM Prime Holdings is repositioning the historic Susana Heights estate as a cornerstone of its push into the premium residential market. Vice President for Design, Innovation, and Strategy Jessica Sy shared this vision in a June 16, 2026 interview, describing the property as a rare blend of growth, maturity, and heritage.
A Rare Blend of Heritage and Nature
The 284‑hectare estate in southern Metro Manila has remained largely underutilized for decades. Originally owned by Doña Susana Madrigal, the property is filled with mature trees and rolling greenery that have become increasingly scarce in the metropolis.
Sy emphasized that the land’s natural character and legacy are not obstacles to development but its greatest assets. The canopy of old trees and the quiet, established atmosphere give future residents something that cannot be replicated elsewhere.
Sustainability Woven into the Blueprint
Sy was clear that sustainability at Susana Heights is not a checklist added after the design phase. The development integrates environmental considerations from the earliest planning stages, treating them as essential as the foundation itself.
She described sustainability as the act of sustaining life, looking beyond individual homeowners to the interconnected community that will grow around the estate. Energy efficiency, water management, and green spaces are built into the master plan, not bolted on later.
This approach reflects Sy’s architectural background and her commitment to creating spaces that endure. The goal is a development that respects the land’s past while preparing it for a climate‑conscious future.
A Legacy Estate Reimagined
Parts of Susana Heights were developed in earlier decades, but current market conditions and infrastructure now support a far more comprehensive vision. Direct access to the South Luzon Expressway and the Muntinlupa‑Cavite Expressway places the estate within easy reach of key business districts.
The estate’s adjacency to established upscale communities further strengthens its appeal. Sy noted that the convergence of improved connectivity, southern expansion, and demand for low‑density living makes this the right moment to unlock the property’s full potential.
Phase one improvements, beginning in the third quarter of 2026, will upgrade the main clubhouse, add covered tennis courts, an indoor basketball facility, a gym, a social hall, and a chapel. A neighborhood retail hub with a supermarket, clinic, dining options, and a multipurpose park will follow.
Premium Living with Inclusive Aspirations
While Susana Heights caters to the high‑end market, Sy’s philosophy insists on inclusivity. She believes that premium living should inspire aspiration, not exclusion, allowing more Filipinos to envision themselves in a better quality of life.
The Signature Series brand, under which Susana Heights is being developed, represents SM Prime’s commitment to walk with buyers beyond their first homes. The product line spans entry‑level premium to ultra‑luxury, ensuring a range of options for growing careers and families.
This deliberate breadth reflects a strategy to elevate the entire residential market. Sy pointed out that the company is creating communities where people can be proud, regardless of which segment they enter.
Designing for Future Value
Sy’s design philosophy extends well beyond current trends. She described a process that anticipates how families evolve, how lifestyles shift, and how investments must hold value over decades.
The team engaged both Filipino and international designers to craft a distinctive aesthetic that appeals to local and global buyers. The result is a visually refined environment that feels intentional and enduring.
This long‑term perspective also guides the estate’s disaster resilience measures. Sy, a board member of ARISE Philippines, advocates for stronger coordination between private and public sectors in disaster preparedness. She brings that same mindset to Susana Heights, ensuring that safety and resilience are part of the development’s DNA.
