Rising Soon: The Heights Katipunan Is Designed for Student Life and Beyond

(SPOT.ph) Katipunan Avenue may not be a central business district, but it has always had its own kind of momentum. Classes start early, cafés stay busy well into the evening, and the neighborhood seems to reset itself every school year.

That’s the context Avida Land steps into with The Heights Katipunan, its newest residential condominium. Facing Loyola Heights—between Miriam College and Ateneo de Manila University, the P3.1-billion project is putting forward a shift in how Katipunan is usually viewed—not just as a place people pass through for a few years, but as somewhere worth staying in, even with all its busyness.

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It might come as a surprise to some that, in spite of its name, The Heights Katipunan was never meant to be the tallest condominium in the area. Instead, the focus has always been on elevating everyday living in a way that fits naturally into the surroundings. Fun fact: It also happens to share its name with ADMU’s official literary publication, Heights, a familiar reference for anyone who’s spent time around the avenue.

With 758 units across 33 residential floors, The Heights Katipunan is all about bringing convenience to students and small families who are so used to the fast-paced life along Katipunan.

Unit options include studio, one-bedroom, special one bedroom, and two-bedroom layouts ranging from 21 to 68 square meters. The mix makes it clear who the project is for: students and parents looking for a quality place near school, young professionals who want a straightforward home base close to daily essentials, and investors who are drawn to the steady rental demand in Katipunan.

If the idea of sharing a building with students gives you pause, there’s some separation built into the layout. The uppermost floors—from levels 30 to 33—are reserved for two-bedroom units intended for families, keeping them a little removed from the more student floors below. It’s a setup that makes sense for early nesters who want a quiet living environment now, without ruling out the possibility that their kids might one day end up studying along the same Katipunan stretch.

The project is currently in a pre-selling phase, with prices from P6.7 million up to P14 million. It’s already sold 15% of units in the first two weeks. It’s set to open by September 2030.

According to Chief Operating Officer Aris Gonzales, Avida Land “spared no expense to achieve this vision,” even collaborating with a team of foreign consultants, Buchan Group Australia, to create a very intentional façade for the building.

Intentional here means providing amenities that go beyond the basic offerings. You get the pool, the gym, and the function rooms, of course, but the team takes it up a notch by looking at how different residents would actually use the space.

“We took the basic amenities that you have, to make something out of it that will fit our market,” Gonzales said.

For students, that translates to study halls designed for different kinds of work. There are individual tables, group tables, and private pods meant for online classes or meetings. Meeting rooms offer a more enclosed option for group work like mock reports or thesis discussions, while a larger multi-purpose hall can be used for presentations or even performance practice.

When it’s time to step away from studying, residents can take a breather at the covered al fresco area—a more relaxed space meant for decompressing or casual hangouts.

That same consideration for families also carries over to the amenities. On the upper floors, there’s a family room designed as a shared lounge, with couches for parents and a play area for kids—complete with a small slide.

There's also a fitness lounge in this section of the building. It’s a space for stretching or low-impact workouts like yoga for residents who might not be into the typical gym setup.

The same focus on everyday use also shapes how the building handles security. In addition to CCTV coverage on all floor levels, elevator access will be managed through RFID, which will only open to a resident’s assigned floor. Units will also be fitted with digital door locks that can be operated via mobile devices, allowing residents to lock or unlock doors remotely.

The project's location puts it within reach of several universities, hospitals, and public transportation stations nearby—but of course, that also means there's no avoiding the chaos and traffic that Katipunan is known for.

Schools

-         Ateneo de Manila University

-         Miriam College

-         Multiple Intelligence International School

-         University of the Philippines

-         Center for Culinary Arts

-         Philippine School of Business Administration

-         St. Bridget School

Transportation

-         LRT-2

-         QCity Bus Stop

Malls

-         U.P. Town Center

-         Regis Center

Churches

-         Sta. Maria della Strada Parish

-         Immaculate Conception Parish

-         University Church of the Gesù

Supermarkets

-         Marketplace by Rustan’s

-         SM Supermarket

-         7-Eleven

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