CEBU CITY — On a ridge in Lower Tac-an where the air cools noticeably from the coastal plain below, Starkwood Properties Inc. has cleared a regulatory threshold that converts a long-planned expansion into an imminent construction site. The Cebu City Planning and Development Office has formally issued a development permit for Estelle Woods Residences Phase 2, a 24,906-square-meter subdivision that will deliver 165 new homes to one of the city's most sought-after residential corridors. The approval, reinforced by City Council authorization, confirms the project's consistency with Cebu City's development plans, zoning regulations, and land use framework. For a developer whose name has quietly become synonymous with American country-style suburban living in Cebu, the permit is both a validation and a starting gun.
The 165-unit expansion arrives as Cebu's residential market continues to tighten. Colliers Philippines projects that by 2026, Metro Cebu's condominium stock will reach approximately 93,100 units, with average annual completions of 5,000 new units from 2024 to 2026. Yet horizontal developments inside Cebu City limits remain rare, making Estelle Woods Phase 2 one of the few remaining subdivision opportunities within the city proper. The project site sits along Budlaan-Talamban Road, placing residents within five to ten minutes of Talamban's main thoroughfare and the established Sunny Hills Subdivision.
Two Home Models, One Design Philosophy
Phase 2 introduces two premium home types, each a three-storey structure built with 100 percent cast-in-place concrete. The Matteo Inigo Townhouse spans 136.6 square meters of floor area on a 62-square-meter lot, offering four bedrooms, three toilet-and-bath configurations, a master bedroom with walk-in closet and balcony, and a family den convertible to a home cinema or office. Introductory pricing ranges from ₱7.4 million to ₱7.7 million, with increases scheduled after the first 40 units sell.
The Jose Antonio Single Attached model delivers 213.3 square meters of floor area on a 96-square-meter lot, with five bedrooms, three toilet-and-bath configurations, two family dens, and a two-car garage. Introductory pricing falls between ₱12.5 million and ₱13.5 million. Both models feature granite kitchen countertops, noise-and-heat-resistant wall systems, insulated roofing, rainwater tank provisions, and energy-efficient design throughout.
An American Country Enclave Minutes From the City
The community amenities read like a deliberate argument for suburban permanence. A resort-style swimming pool with adult and kiddie sections anchors the recreational core, alongside a basketball court, a clubhouse pavilion for events and gatherings, landscaped gardens with pocket parks, a children's playground, and a community café with outdoor seating. The streets, spanning 8, 10, and 12 meters wide, are lined with over 400 trees and lit by a hybrid solar-and-electric streetlight system.
A centralized water supply, a guardhouse with 24-hour security, and a fully fenced perimeter complete the infrastructure package. The hybrid overhead-and-underground utility system for electric, telephone, and internet wiring preserves the visual integrity of the streetscape. The architecture itself draws from American country vernacular, with elevated entry porches, shingle-type roofing, and imported New Zealand stone-covered roofing that lend each home a distinctive, grounded presence.
A Rare Cebu City Address
What distinguishes Estelle Woods from competitors is its location inside Cebu City proper at a moment when most new subdivisions have migrated to the province's second- and third-class municipalities. The project sits within 5 to 15 minutes of the University of San Carlos–Talamban Campus, Gaisano Grand Talamban, Cebu North General Hospital, and Sacred Heart School–Ateneo de Cebu. Within 15 to 30 minutes are Cebu IT Park, Banilad Town Centre, Gaisano Country Mall, and Cebu Business Park—the economic engines that employ the professionals most likely to buy into the development.
For OFWs preparing a future home, growing families upgrading to larger spaces, and investors seeking appreciation inside Cebu City, Phase 2 offers a product category that is increasingly scarce: a brand-new, amenity-rich house-and-lot package within city limits, built to modern construction standards, and priced at introductory levels that will not last. The development permit is now in hand. The 165 homes are next.
