Tycoon’s vineyard community to rise soon

ALLIANCE Global Group Inc. chair Andrew Tan with chief winemaker Beatriz Paniagua at the Finca Constancia Vineyard in Toledo, Spain

Tycoon Andrew Tan’s impeccable taste and discerning eye for all things refined are quite apparent in the way he does business.

But it would be Tan’s restless pursuit to always provide customers with new products and projects that are out-of-the-box and are capable of setting new benchmarks within their respective industries, that would make it harder for anyone to replicate such achievements.

Take for instance his latest brainchild, the Twin Lakes, a masterplanned community set to rise across hectares of prime land in the scenic Tagaytay and Laurel in Batangas. Upon completion, the Twin Lakes will not only allow future residents to bask in the refreshing views of famed Taal Lake and Volcano, but will also afford them to experience the first and only resort and community in the Philippines that features a vineyard.

Twin Lakes, which is poised to become a premier medical and educational tourism estate, fuses two of Tan’s most fervent passions: developing prime township projects through Megaworld Corp. and Global-Estate Resorts Inc. (GERI) and liquor manufacturing through Emperador Distillers Inc. (EDI), which markets popular brands Emperador Brandy and The Bar.

All three companies are subsidiaries of holding firm Alliance Global Group Inc., of which Tan is the chair.

THE 15-PART estate will bring to the country Europe’s revered winemaking tradition.

The tycoon has been known as one to meticulously plan his new township projects. And this is exactly what he did for Twin Lakes, including going on a recent trip to Toledo, Spain, to immerse himself on the country’s storied wine making tradition. This, of course, is seen as a crucial move to kick off the vineyard activities in Twin Lakes.

“My trip to Finca Constancia near Madrid, which has been nurtured by five generations of the same family, has given me renewed fervor that the cool climate of Tagaytay will be able to host the country’s first world-class vineyard and wine cellar. With Twin Lakes’ huge expanse, we will be able to create a township that promises tourists a fascinating experience and entice retirees as well to spend their golden years here,” Tan relates.

Within this 1,149-hectare estate will rise 15 distinct, themed projects from residential communities to parks, health and wellness centers, and commercial spaces, among others. And with its extensive breadth of facilities and amenities, Twin Lakes will once again raise the bar of luxury living on the countryside.

The first phase of the Twin Lakes would see the development of The Vineyard, the Domaine Le Jardin and Twinlakes Residences.

TWIN Lakes will have all the residential features typical of a finely-designed home, and amenities that are deemed to provide future owners the comfort of sophisticated yet relaxed living.

The 177-ha Vineyard, which will finally bring Europe’s revered winemaking traditions to the Philippines, would have all the features needed to complete that luxurious chateau living experience such as hotel and resort, townhomes, chateau/winery, a sports club and spa, wedding venue, a culinary school and a condominium—all with views of the vineyard and a man-made lake.

The 50-hectare Domaine Le Jardin, would meanwhile be the epitome of stately living set in the greenest of settings.

However, the highlight of Twin Lakes’ first residential phases would be its prime subdivision lots, a lush botanical garden and an exclusive amenity area that serves as the centerpiece of recreation in the village. To be offered are 538 lots with cuts ranging from 250 sq m to 500 sq m.

Twinlakes Residences, will likewise showcase elegantly designed one- and two-bedroom residences. It will have all the residential features typical of a finely-designed home, and amenities that are deemed to provide future owners the comfort of sophisticated yet relaxed living.

Moreover, future developments which would complete the 15-part estate includes residential developments such as the exclusive residential village Domaine Le Montagne; the 33-hectare exclusive residential village Domaine Le Soleil; and, a 378.7-hectare Nature Park and nursery.

Also to be featured within the developments are retail, services and food outlets to be located in the 1.3-hectare village center; the 34-hectare retirement community, which will house its own hospital; and the 32-hectare university park featuring residential lots and international schools.

Capping of this premier estate are the 84-hectare Plantation phase where farm lots can be bought; a 40-hectare residential development which has its own wellness center; the 24-hectare Lakeshore Town Center that will house a number of commercial, mixed-use, civic centers; and, the 20-hectare Domaine Du Lac lakeshore residential community.