New infrastructure and establishments in Cebu

THE HENRY Big Room Lover in Cebu City

Property development in Cebu has been very progressive of late. The southern city is truly the hub of the Visayas and the most developed province in that region as well. It is only right to look into the rapid growth of our country’s southern hub, with all its new infrastructure and establishments.

First up is Sundance Residences, a twin-tower condominium building located in the rolling hills of Banawa, a beautiful area on the hillsides of Cebu. Sundance is the pioneering venture of Worldwide Central Properties, an affiliate of the Worldwide Steel Group of Companies, principally owned by the Ong family of Cebu.

The Worldwide Steel Group may not be too well-known in Manila, but the family-owned firm has been an investor in the province since 1976, starting with steel and expanding into retail through its Worldwide Home Depot subsidiary. The group now brings its commitment to construction and development by providing not only the building blocks for homes and business, but in creating homes and fostering communities.

Indeed, after 37 years of experience in providing materials to the construction industry, it is fitting that Worldwide Steel enters into the property development industry as well. The Ongs have tapped top architects and engineers to build best-of-class condominiums in Cebu. The principal architect is Taf Consultancy and the main structural engineer is Sy2 + Associates.

THE SUNDANCE Residences at Banawa, Cebu City

Families’ quality time

Sundance Residences takes pride in being Cebu’s first child- and family-friendly residential development. Sundance aims to ensure that families maximize their quality time together, thus including a host of family-centered amenities in the project.

The building will feature a day-care center where parents can enroll their children with childcare professionals who will ensure wholesome academic and playtime activities for the little ones. A commercial strip within the development is planned, which will include various establishments as well as schools for language, music and arts. In this way, the facilities will foster the holistic development of the community’s children, all within the safe perimeter of the project.

Sundance Residences has also made childproofing the development a top priority. Antimosquito plants, child-friendly furniture with rounded edges, toilets and urinals for little boys will be installed in the common areas.

The slick, streamlined and hip interiors are the stylish work of world-renowned Cebu designer Kenneth Cobonpue. He used bright colors and relaxed furniture designs in Sundance. The showroom of Sundance Residences is at the ground floor, LO Bldg., Gorordo Avenue, Lahug, Cebu City, but Manila-based readers can check www.worldwidecentralproperties.com or call 09176500100 for inquiries. When you check out the Sundance Residences, you may just conclude that the right time to invest in Cebu is now.

KID’S room at the Sundance Residences showroom

Unique boutique hotel

Also in Cebu is The Henry Hotel, a unique boutique hotel that highlights interesting artworks. Ideally located near the heart of the city, The Henry offers an intimate and personal hotel experience, as there are only 38 rooms, ranging from 36 sq m to a “double XXL” of 108 sq m with two king-size beds.

There’s no doubt that Hospitality International, the managers of The Henry, have thought out-of-the-box in creating the hotel. The artwork is  hip and cool, putting visitors at ease and injecting fun and humor into the experience.

RELAXED condo interiors of Kenneth Cobonpue

The Henry includes Rica’s Café, a fine-dining restaurant that serves “gourmet comfort food,” and The Scrapyard, a bar-lounge festooned with avant-garde art from around the world. There is also a swimming pool for the athletically inclined.

The real pleasure in The Henry lies in the knowledge that the hustle and bustle of the Cebu is right outside the thick drapes—yet, inside, the stylish sanctuary of good taste is a serene and quiet space to linger and relax. As the website says, it “will keep you coming back again and again.” Visit www.thehenryhotel.com for views of this artsy hotel.

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