Big players to roll out flagship projects

FAME Residences

(First in a series)

Before 2014 came to an end, property experts cautioned developers to “focus on great concepts, be service-centric in the postsales process,” and for buyers “to learn about the prices of properties in different locations before deciding on a place.” It goes without saying, however, that developers and buyers are out to have some fun contributing their own share to a dynamic property sector that shows no slowdown in 2015.

Inquirer Property has asked top developers to reveal their flagship projects in 2015. Megaworld, Century Properties and SMDC readily responded.

1. Megaworld’s McKinley West

Megaworld senior vice president for marketing Noli Hernandez said that “with the sales and development of our 50-hectare McKinley Hill winding down to its last few towers, our 35-hectare McKinley West promises to be our defining project for 2015. Strategically located between Forbes Park and McKinley Hill, McKinley West serves as the southern gateway of Fort Bonifacio, and will build upon Megaworld’s pioneering Live-Work-Play township concept.” Hernandez pointed out that Megaworld is the largest developer by land bank in Fort Bonifacio, with townships such as Forbestown Center, Uptown Bonifacio, McKinley Hill and now McKinley West.

He added: “With the subdivision component of McKinley West completely sold out immediately after launch, we have recently unveiled The St. Moritz Luxury Residential Estates, which is our first ultra high-end residential cluster in the township and which will soon be followed by other residential enclaves in the same category.”

AIR Residences

2. Century Properties’ six projects

Terrie Fucanan Yu, Century Properties’ vice president for communications, reveals these six projects to be Positano and Miami towers, Niagara and Sutherland towers, Osmeña West tower and Milano Residences, all expected for completion this year.

She explained that “these flagship projects represent the diverse product offerings of Century Properties Group for various price points and markets (from the luxury, middle income to the affordable markets): Positano and Miami towers of Azure Urban Resort Residences in Parañaque City (the fourth and fifth buildings after the first three buildings and Paris Beach Club were completed in 2013-2014); Niagara and Sutherland towers of Acqua Private Residences in Mandaluyong City (the first two of six towers within Acqua); Osmeña West tower at the Residences at Commonwealth in Quezon City (the first tower in an eight-building masterplanned development); and the Milano Residences (the fourth to rise at Century City, a 3.4-hectare integrated community of premium high rises, retail, office and medical outpatient building on Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City.

“Across all these markets, Century Properties has made sure to uphold the fundamental values and DNA of quality, pride of ownership and customer experience,” she said.

Yu described Milano Residences as targeting the luxury market, and features interiors designed by global luxury brand Versace under its interior

ACQUA Private Residences

design brand Versace Home. Acqua Private Residences, targeting the middle-income market and up, is a tropical rainforest-infused development with a retail strip, a country club by the water and other rejuvenating water features, including three majestic waterfalls.

Yu also said that Azure Urban Resort Residences (targeting the affordable to mid markets) features a beach lifestyle concept that residents get to enjoy 365 days a year. It has an expansive manmade beach and resort facilities, plus a beach club designed by the international style icon, Paris Hilton.

Yu described the Residences at Commonwealth (targeting the affordable to mid market) as “a family-oriented community that nurtures the passions of its residents through holistic lifestyle amenities for the sporty and athletic (outdoor boot camp, sports courts), the artistic (arts and crafts studio and music room), the culinary-inclined (kitchen studio), and those who simply seek relaxation (water features and pools, movie theater).”

3. 10 projects from SMDC

Not to be outdone, SMDC also revealed its own upcoming completed developments this year: Shore at MOA (Mall of Asia) grounds, Air in Makati, Fame in Mandaluyong, Trees in Fairview, Shine, Light, MPST, Jazz, Wind T4 and Mezza II.

Jose Mari Banzon, SMDC executive vice president, considers Shore as SMDC’s flagship project. He said that although soft-launched in November 2013, Shore was officially launched in January 2014.

THE RESIDENCES at Commonwealth

“Being located in the MOA area, offering resort-like amenities and the world-class Manila Bay sunset, Shore experienced brisk sales velocity in 2014; Air—SMDC’s second project in Makati—is conveniently located near Ayala Avenue offering world-class amenities,” he said.

“In 2015, approximately 12,000 units will be completed. Projects that will be completed are Shine, the last towers of Light and MPST, the remaining two towers of Jazz, Wind T4, and Mezza II among others. In addition to Shore and Air, another flagship project in 2014 is Trees, our MRB project in Fairview. The very strong sales registered by Trees in 2014 has encouraged us to launch more MRBs in 2015. Our flagship projects in 2015 are Air (Makati) and Fame (a four-tower complex in Mandaluyong) which are high-rise condominiums launched under SMDC Premier, and Cool Suites, which is a six-tower MRB complex located in Tagaytay,” said Banzon.