Renovating for business

From a single unit, the business has grown to a total of 14 rooms or “alcoves”.

Have you ever seen a caved in ceiling? Or an apartment that hasn’t been opened in four years only to realize that the “carpet” was actually a blanket of dirt caused by an open balcony door?

What about an archaic fuse box dating back to 1963 which is still dangerously being used? We, at Alcoves, have seen it all and we are more than willing to share our experience in renovating the unique problems of each unique apartment.

Going into business

In late 2011, I and my siblings, Anton (a lawyer) and Cris (a doctor), were bent to go into the business of leasing out the unused condominium unit of our grandmother and eventually earn extra money out of it.

As the property was situated across the street from the Greenbelt Mall in Makati, we deemed it perfect to put up a serviced apartment that can be rented by tourists and businessmen looking for an alternative to a pricey hotel.

But there were glaring problems: the room was in shambles and not one of us had a background in either design or business. Our limited capital, a set deadline to open in 30 days, and a busy schedule at a law firm, a hospital and at law school made the plan feel insurmountable.

Today however, that same room is now Alcoves’ most popular unit for rent—a far cry from its original look. This well-lit, modern-themed three bedroom unit sports a large living and dining area for family bonding or entrepreneurial planning.

Trendy spaces

Six years later, the business has grown from one room to a total of 14 rooms or “alcoves.”

Alcoves specializes in acquiring cheap, run-down apartments and turning these into spacious, trendy, and comfortable places that families, companies, and couples can book from as short as one night to as long as a week.

Apart the quality of our rooms, we try to set ourselves apart by providing superior service through a small but professional team. We pride ourselves in making sure guests are well taken cared of before, during, and even after their stay with us.

Everything—from the lights, furniture, paint color, bed frames, kitchen countertops, and even the face plates of the electrical outlets—was meticulously chosen by our team of three.

We have mastered the art of evaluating the difference between something being too much and something worth every penny. And through our journey, we learned to treasure three guiding principles when it comes to renovating a condo.

Alcoves specializes in acquiring cheap, run-down apartments and turning these into spacious, trendy, and comfortable places.

Guiding principles

First, respect the magicians of the trade. A good carpenter, electrician, plumber, and the person who unites them altogether, the contractor, are vital to any renovation and continuing maintenance of a condo.

Look for people who are not only skilled but also honest. And even if they are honest, never let your guard down and constantly visit the worksite to direct them accordingly.

The biggest motivator for workers to do their job well and on time is not money but the physical presence of the person hiring them.

Second, nothing needs to be expensive or cheap but it does need to look good. The founders easily spent days going back and forth between the Home Depot in Ortigas and Bonifacio Global City (BGC), various shopping malls, Mandaue Foam, and Wilcon just for purposes of weighing the pros and cons of the cost, design, and practical nature of an item.

What we did was to take a picture of a product, edit the picture and superimpose on it the price and the name of the store of where it can be later bought. After compiling the pictures, begin comparing each item side by side and make your choice for everything.

This also prevents the painful realization that you could have gotten the same product at a cheaper price.

Finally, embrace the fact that Google Images and Pinterest are the only interior designers you’ll ever need.

Never tell yourself that you aren’t qualified or that you lack the imagination to conjure up a design vision. Looking at pictures is free, but finding and executing a design, which calls out to you is priceless.