By Mark Louis F. Ferrolino
Special Features Writer
CENTURY PROPERTIES Group, Inc. (CPG) has pre-sold 477 vacation homes worth P2.94 billion in Batulao Artscapes, its first residential tourism estate in Nasugbu, Batangas.
Batulao Artscapes is a 142-hectare development dubbed as an‚ “artventure‚” community and livable art park. The first phase of the project, comprising 36 hectares, will offer about 2,247 homes.
Tim Hallett, president of Century Properties Leisure and Hospitality, Inc., said the construction of the first phase is already in full swing with the first batch of homes targeted for completion early next year.
Mr. Hallett said the value of the houses has appreciated since it was unveiled to the market in December 2017.
The Polygonal Successions unit, designed by Eduardo Calma, for instance, initially offered at around P4 million, is currently being sold at P6 million in the market.
Other available home units for the phase one include Hedera Home by Kenneth Cobonpue, Tranche and Facet Homes by Budji+Royal Architecture+Design, Adaptation II by Studio Libeskind Design, and Daphne Skin Home by Daphne Guinness.
Mr. Hallett said the construction of a five-storey condominium, consisting of 500 units, is ongoing. Units range from 24 square meters (sq.m.) and 48 sq.m. in size.
Amenities of Batulao Artscapes include bike and jogging trails, man-made beach, wellness hotel, clubhouse, floating chapel, sports park, food park, art park with pavilions and a maze, and various open parks.
The estate will also host four Revolution Museums by Pritzker Prize-winning architects: Christian de Portzamparc for the Revolution Museum of Design and Architecture, Jean Nouvel Design for the Revolution Museum of Visual Arts, Philip Johnson Alan Ritchie Architects for the Revolution Museum of Art and Technology, and Tange Associates for the Revolution Museum of Performing Arts.
Mr. Hallett said the company is positioning Batulao Artscapes as a destination that will inspire people to have fun and invest in property.
“Batulao Artscapes is a unique celebration of active, meditative, creative and festive attractions. It is a development like no other, grounded in natural beauty, shaped by the arts and informed by design. For the first time, you can own a home in an art park, in what would otherwise only be a weekend getaway someplace else,” he said.
The Antonio-led property developer plans to launch early next year the second phase of the project. It will cover six hectares, dedicated for affordable homes.
Mr. Hallett noted that further developments in Batulao Artscapes will depend on what the market wants and needs in the future.
Meanwhile, Mr. Hallett is optimistic that further improvements on infrastructure will help drive Filipinos to settle away from the metro.
The property developer noted that it would take a 1.5 to two-hour drive to Batulao Artscapes from Makati City via four access points: Daang Hari Road towards the Nasugbu-Kaybiang Tunnel, the Star Tollway to Tanauan Exit, the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX), and Cavite Expressway (CAVITEX).
The firm also said that the estate will be less than an hour away from Tagaytay once the Cavite-Tagaytay-Batangas Expressway is completed in mid-2022.
