CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY — A significant transformation is on the horizon for the city’s upland district as Gedah Holdings Inc. prepares to break ground on Terrazas de Oro, a sprawling 37-hectare mixed-use development in Indahag. Masterplanned by the globally recognized urban design firm Palafox Associates, the project represents a ₱27‑billion investment that signals surging confidence in Cagayan de Oro’s real estate market and its expanding growth frontiers beyond the traditional downtown core.
A Golden Terrace Emerges from the Highlands
Originally introduced during an investment forum at Shangri-La Plaza in 2023 under the working name Paraiso Hill, the development has since evolved into what is now called Terrazas de Oro—a name that captures its signature terraced, mountainside design. The project is set to rise along Dahino Drive, a strategic corridor offering sweeping panoramic views of the city and nearby river systems. Its elevated location places it within easy reach of key city landmarks, including the Cagayan de Oro Convention Center and the emerging Lumbia Airfield redevelopment zone, positioning Terrazas de Oro as a natural extension of the city’s northward expansion.
A Fully Integrated Live-Work-Play Community
Unlike fragmented subdivisions that develop in isolation, Terrazas de Oro is envisioned as a fully integrated environment where residents, workers, and visitors can coexist within a single, walkable district. The master plan includes a diverse mix of uses:
Commercial and retail districts to serve daily needs and attract outside shoppers
Residential communities designed for modern urban living
Hotels and hospitality spaces catering to business and leisure travelers
Leisure and lifestyle destinations including cafes, restaurants, and entertainment venues
Walkable streets and public spaces that prioritize pedestrians over vehicles
Open areas thoughtfully integrated into the mountainside terrain
This live‑work‑play approach has become the global standard for modern urban development, and Terrazas de Oro is bringing that standard to one of Cagayan de Oro’s most promising—yet historically underdeveloped—uplands.
Why Indahag? A Strategic Bet on the Uplands
For years, real estate growth in Cagayan de Oro has largely expanded westward and southward, with malls, business parks, and residential communities transforming those corridors. Indahag and its surrounding upland districts, however, have remained relatively untapped, despite being identified by business leaders as having “strong potential for expansion”. The Terrazas de Oro project directly addresses this gap by expanding urban growth toward the elevated eastern flank of the city, helping to distribute development more evenly and relieve congestion in the traditional commercial hubs.
The timing is strategic. Megaworld is already moving forward with its own 117‑hectare Upper Central township across the Gusa‑Indahag area, signaling that major developers see the uplands as the next frontier for Cagayan de Oro’s real estate market. Together, these projects are transforming a once‑quiet district into a burgeoning growth corridor.
Sustainability at the Core
One of the defining principles behind the Terrazas de Oro master plan is working with nature rather than against it. The development is designed to harmonize with its mountainside and riverfront setting, incorporating open spaces and green areas that integrate seamlessly with the natural terrain. Renderings shared by Palafox Associates depict a development where commercial, leisure, hotel, and residential zones are connected by walkable streets, with the natural landscape preserved wherever possible.
A Real Estate Multiplier Effect
The economic impact of a ₱27‑billion investment cannot be overstated. Large‑scale developments like Terrazas de Oro attract businesses, hospitality brands, and service industries, generating thousands of construction jobs during the build phase and permanent employment once operational. The project also opens the door for tourism‑oriented establishments—boutique hotels, cafes, view decks, and recreational spaces—capitalizing on the area’s elevated location and scenic vistas.
For property investors, the message is clear: early positioning in emerging corridors like Indahag offers the potential for significant appreciation as infrastructure and amenities take shape.
A Vision for the Future
As the city center becomes denser, masterplanned communities like Terrazas de Oro offer a more livable alternative to fragmented urban sprawl. Organized road networks, balanced land use, and dedicated public spaces create an environment where quality of life is deliberately designed rather than left to chance. With its terraced hillside concept and commitment to sustainable growth, Terrazas de Oro is poised to become one of Northern Mindanao’s most significant business and lifestyle destinations in the years ahead.
