Living spaces for learning

Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation offers premium residences for students

The Philippines has always been regarded as one of Asia’s top intellectual centers, attracting students from all over the world, especially as the country marches towards progress. That potential is what property developer Torre Lorenzo Development Corporation (TLDC) aims to tap with their mission of offering Premium University Residences near the country’s top universities.

“The idea of Premium University Residences came to me after I studied abroad in the 1990’s and observed the disparity between students’ living quarters abroad with what was being offered in Manila at the time,” said TLDC Chief Executive Officer Tomas P. Lorenzo. “I realized this is a gap I can capitalize on. We don’t do dormitories; we do Premium University Residences.”

With a vision to revolutionize university housing, Mr. Lorenzo aims to provide students with a better living experience. The company recognized that the housing options available to students at the time were often cramped, dull, unconducive to learning. And many young people had to endure grueling commutes to get to school.

TLDC goes to great lengths to buck that perception of student housing and to offer Premium University Residences. The company always keeps the welfare and needs of its student residents in mind; from the time a property is chosen, to the project design concept, up to the time the unit is turned over and the student lives in it.

With its commitment to elevating student living, TLDC developed the Student First Program for their Premium University Residences. This is executed through four pillars: Safety First, Studies First, Balanced-Life First, and Convenience First.

The company prioritizes its residents’ safety through 24/7 security, CCTV cameras, RFID with parent notification feature, and its proximity to schools. All of TLDC’s Premium University Residences are located near schools, so students don’t need to worry about commuting far.

TLDC helps students focus on their academic responsibilities by building environments conducive for learning, such as quiet study spaces and areas for group study which are WiFi-equipped.

“We found that learning transcends beyond the classroom and becomes a social activity that occurs in many places. Thoughtful attention to design allows for study time and collaboration,” Mr. Lorenzo said.

Projects are designed in a way that students can fulfill academic responsibilities and a balanced lifestyle. Socializing is a great way to grow and learn about life. To help students develop healthy relationships and take care of their physical well-being, TLDC provides state-of-the-art amenities such as swimming pools, fitness centers, half-courts, function rooms, and sky lounges.

The Premium University Residences are also equipped with convenient services to help make students’ daily lives easier. Services include 24/7 Resident Assistance, Touch Payment facilities for faster transactions, and commercial tenants that serve student needs like bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants, and banks, so residents do not need to go far for their daily needs.

TLDC residences also have an esteemed property management team that is intuitive to the needs of its student residents and ensures the properties’ maintenance and value.

“Furthermore, TLDC’s student residences are a sound investment option for entrepreneurial Filipinos. Investors can snap up a suite or two and then hand them over to the TLDC Property Management team which takes away the headache of unit leasing and ensures that the unit will be well-maintained. We have found demand to be high, both for rentals and for investment,” Mr. Lorenzo added.

Since the 1990s, TLDC has sought to keep the standards of university living higher and higher, moving them further away from regular dormitories. In fact, the company recently won “Best Boutique Developer” at the PropertyGuru Philippine Property Awards 2019.

Torre Lorenzo University Residences can be found near the country’s major universities, such as University of the Philippines Diliman and Manila, Ateneo de Manila University, Miriam College, De La Salle University Taft, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, St. Scholastica’s College, University of Santo Tomas, and University of Perpetual Help.

“We know how important study-life balance is to students and their parents, so we make sure that our projects are conducive to these,” Mr. Lorenzo said.

He added, “We strive to stay ahead of the curve by continuing to keep a dialogue with our residents — both students and their parents. We stay abreast with their needs and wishes to make our student residents feel as comfortable as possible while they’re away from home.”