Living in Luxury: How Much It Costs to Live in Forbes Park Makati

Modern lifestyle, privacy, and highly secured community are some of the exclusive privileges you can enjoy when living in a high-end subdivision. In the Philippines, one of the first and leading gated communities is Forbes Park, which was developed by the prominent clan of Roxas, Zobel, and Ayala.

Named after the American investment banker-turned-governor-general in the Philippines, William Cameron Forbes, Forbes Park was established in 1940 and is the most expensive and luxurious village in the country. It houses premier amenities such as the Manila Polo Club, Manila Golf and Country Club, and the 19th-century Santuario de San Antonio church.

Located between the wealthy enclaves of Makati City and Bonifacio Global City, the residential community occupies 250 hectares divided into north and south areas. As of May 2020, the total population of Forbes Park reached 3,715 which accounted for 0.59% of the overall Makati residents.

How Much is a Luxury Property in Forbes Park?

Wondering how it is like to invest in a luxury home? According to a report, Forbes Park sold a property worth P388 million to a celebrity in 2012. The same property was put on the market for P1.5 billion in 2020, shrugging off business disruptions caused by the pandemic at the time. That amount was further raised to P2.3 billion in 2021!

Even before the pandemic started, the selling price of Forbes Park land properties ranged from P450,000 to P500,000 per square meter, which means that a 2,000-square-meter lot area may cost up to P1 billion. Meanwhile, the price for monthly rentals starts at P600,000 based on local listing websites.

Aside from celebrities, Forbes Park is also the top choice of many Filipino moguls, expatriates, and foreign diplomats. According to an article from The Beat Asia, “The combined net worth of the 50 richest people in the country surged 30% to US$79 billion…That's more than the size of Ghana's entire economy as of 2019 figures.”

Hence, these rich people in the Philippines keep getting richer amidst the pandemic as their wealth doubled in 2021.

Lifestyle and Experiences

As a true elite private village, Forbes Park is brimming with trees to provide its residents with a laid-back environment and quiet neighborhood.

Aside from the golf and country club, the village is also home to a few cafés and high-end restaurants around San Antonio Plaza. These include Maple (all-day breakfast place), Isogi (for your Japanese food cravings), and La Nuova Pasteleria (serves Italian cuisines).

The decade-old Santuario de San Antonio Church that rests inside the village has become a popular landmark. Aside from Sunday masses, the church is the top choice for Catholic weddings among influential and rich families.