The Philippine real estate industry remained vibrant in 2018 despite challenges from rising interest rates and inflation. Playing a big part in this favorable outcome were real estate developers who aggressively expanded and rolled out development projects.
In recent years, a number of office buildings, residential towers and commercial structures, among others, were constructed across the country. These developments have made substantial contributions to the growth of the country and the welfare of its people, reshaping the Philippine skyline incredibly. — Mark Louis F. Ferrolino
FESTIVE WALK MALL
Festive Walk Mall is Megaworld Corp.’s first full-scale lifestyle mall in the Visayas and Mindanao region, established in its Iloilo Business Park in Mandurriao, Iloilo City. The three-level mall offers 90,000 sq.m. of gross floor area of shopping, dining, leisure and entertainment. It has three event facilities, including an indoor event atrium, outdoor covered event area, and an outdoor open-air activity area. It also features a children’s playground and a concept food hall.
The design of Festive Walk Mall evokes tropical influences with the presence of indoor gardens around the development. The third level of the mall is highlighted by The Deck, an open space featuring lush gardens and greeneries where the chapel and al fresco dining restaurant and cafes are located. There is also an interactive dancing fountain at its main entrance along Megaworld Boulevard.
ACIENDA DESIGNER OUTLET
One of these is the Acienda Designer Outlet developed by Cathay Land, Inc., the company behind South Forbes Golf City. Acienda is the first international outlet mall in the country located along Aguinaldo Highway in Silang, Cavite. It houses a wide range of top international brands that offer a minimum of 30% off bargains.
The designer outlet has four architectural themes: Italian, French, New England, and Spanish, offering visitors many “Instagram-ready” spots. For instance, it features a French-style food and beverage section accented by a three-storey windmill that have served as Acienda’s iconic attraction since its opening.
Being in close proximity to Tagaytay City, Acienda is making it possible for visitors to enjoy the cool weather while strolling at various shops on the site. The perfect mix of brands and leisure amenities at Acienda entices many local and foreign tourists to visit the new mall.
ASIAN CENTURY CENTER
Asian Century Center was developed by Century Properties Group, Inc. (CPG) in partnership with Asian Carmakers Corp. This 21-storey green office building with a net leasable area of 29,628 square meters (sq.m.) is located at the 27th Street corner 3rd Avenue in Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City.
The Antonio-led property developer said that Asian Century Center is accredited by the Philippine Economic Zone Authority (PEZA), which means that the tower has met PEZA’s strict requirements of 100% power backup, provision for high-speed internet and infrastructure, and a building management system.
CPG also noted that the tower is pre-certified for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a global green building and sustainability certification system by the United States Green Building Council. Pre-certification is awarded to projects with achievable sustainable targets that demonstrate the project’s commitment to LEED certification.
UDENNA TOWER
Udenna Tower is the first office building development by Udenna Group of Davao-based businessman Dennis A. Uy. The 24-storey building is strategically situated at the corner of Rizal Drive and 4th Avenue within BGC in Taguig City.
Udenna Tower has a gross floor area of 14,703 sq.m., with a net leasable space of over 13,600 sq.m. It includes five podium levels and two basement levels of parking. Aside from housing some of the corporate offices of the group, some floors are open for leasing to other companies as corporate headquarters.
The company believes that Udenna Tower illustrates the strength and potential of its property arm, Udenna Development Corp. (Udevco), to become a significant player in the sector. The real estate and property development firm is currently embarking on more and bigger projects across the country, including the development of the 177-hectare Clark Global City in Pampanga.
BANAWA HEIGHTS
AppleOne Properties, Inc., a Cebu-based and homegrown property developer, topped off the last tower — Tower 3 — of its Banawa Heights, a 2.8-hectare residential development on the hills of Banawa in Cebu City. This property is composed of different types of residential homes including three 12-storey towers, villas and mansionettes.
Banawa Heights features an elegant and sophisticated Victorian-inspired architectural design that attracts many passers-by for photo opportunities. It is masterplanned with 70% open spaces which include generous walkways and jogging trails, pocket gardens, green spaces, wide road networks, and spacious parks and playgrounds.
As a gated community, all private cluster entrances at Banawa Heights are equipped with a keyless access control — a first-of-its-kind in Cebu City.
THE FLATS
This 15-storey building by Ayala Land, Inc. (ALI) is redefining the co-living trend in the metro. Located along Amorsolo Street in Makati City, The Flats features co-living spaces catering to young urban professionals who aspire for a perfectly balanced life. It is within a five-minute walk to Ayala Avenue and near the Dela Rosa Walkway.
Units at The Flats are designed for optimal space usage, with built-in beds, built-in cabinets, individual desk spaces, air-conditioning, a kitchenette, and a toilet and bath with shower. Occupants can choose from rooms with lofts and rooms with bunk beds. Up to a maximum of four occupants can share each co-living space, however, units for three and two occupants per room are also offered.
SANTORINI TOWER
Standing at the heart of a bustling business and leisure hub in the eastern part of Metro Manila — Sta. Lucia City in Cainta, Rizal — Santorini Tower is Sta. Lucia Land, Inc.’s (SLI) recent residential project that features stylish residential and full-service condotel units with elegant and modern interiors.
This is the second of the five Mediterranean-inspired residential towers within the Sta. Lucia Residenze, a masterplanned luxurious complex that offers modern leisure and entertainment facilities, cinemas, upscale shopping malls, restaurants and cafes. Santorini Tower followed the success of the first high-rise residential development in the complex called Monte Carlo.
Mixing exclusivity with luxurious living and modern comfort, Santorini Tower offers homeowners and investors their dream lifestyles.
