Where is NOMA in Manila and why would you want to live there?

Are you looking for a new place to call home or planning to relocate in Manila, Philippines? There’s a new area close to the Makati Central Business District that boasts of being the city’s vibrant art and creative center, called North Makati or simply NOMA. 

This dynamic community is known for its interesting mix of galleries, dining spots, watering holes, indie music venues, and novel retail finds. The artistic melting pot of the metro enjoys a dynamic environment where unique food, music, and art come alive at every turn—perfect for the young urbanites’ lifestyle.

Here are the numbers that would make you want to move to NOMA, stat:

1. NOMA has at least 78 restaurants, cafes, and take out options, including Carpaccio Ristorante Italiano, I’m Angus Steak House, Santi’s Delicatessen, Rustan’s Supermarket, New Bombay, Starbucks Coffee, Earle’s Delicatessen, Petra And Pilar Restaurant, and Stockton Place by Chef Celine. You’ll never run out of dining choices.

One of the first ones you should try is Chesa Bianca Swiss Restaurant along Yakal Street in San Antonio Village, a quaint restaurant featuring Swiss home style cooking. 

For dessert, you’ll love Patisserie Bebe Rouge for its quirky French pastries with Japanese designs. Located at Sacred Heart Street corner Metropolitan Avenue, Bebe Rouge is one of NOMA’s premier bakeshops owned and managed by French-trained Japanese Chef Atsushi Mitsuma.

2. There are around 25 bars in the area that are 15 minutes away, depending on your starting point. You don’t need to worry about getting a drink then having to drive home.

3. NOMA has access to 57 schools, institutions, and education centers. It’s a great place to live if you have kids.

4. There are 67 banks and ATM machines that are within walking distance from NOMA, including Bank of the Philippine Islands and those in RCBC Plaza.

5. Living in NOMA puts you in close proximity to everything you need in a community: a hospital (Makati Medical Center), the post office (Makati Central Post Office), the fire station (Makati Fire Station), and law enforcers (Makati Central Police Headquarters). And in case golf is your fitness activity of choice, you’d also be pleased to know the Makati Golf Club Driving Range is in the area.

6. There are around five gas stations in the area, including Petron and Caltex.

7. The community has around over 10 art galleries and studios. One of them is Suez and Zapote Gallery, so named because it’s located at Suez Street corner Zapote Street. This independent space explores the diverse applications of art and design through its main medium, silkscreen. Creative residents can make this their NOMA hangout.

If you have yet to find a condominium located right smack in the middle of NOMA, you might want to check out The Rise Makati, a residential and commercial complex set to open in 2018 from luxury property developer Shang Properties, an affiliate of Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts worldwide. The Rise Makati boasts of unique, state-of-the-art amenities complemented by the signature architecture and modern interior design of Shang Properties. It has North and South Wings, as well as an East Wing that offers more spacious one-bedroom units and breathtaking views of Manila Bay. 

Conveniently located within an eight-minute walk from the Makati Central Business District, The Rise Makati is situated just north of Ayala Avenue along Malugay St. in the lively and energetic community of NOMA. Residents’ amenities include a two-floor gym, private jogging path, tropical swimming pool, children’s playground, 100-sqm space for barbecues, 1,620sqm of green spaces, and a total of 7,647sqm of amenities space. The building will also have a retail mall with restaurants and shops below the residences.

There’s never a dull moment if you live in NOMA.