Keyland promises profit opportunity to stout-hearted investors

Keyland president Lito Montinola

While the cost of a unit in the soon-to-rise residential tower Citadines Benavidez Makati, at 110 Benavidez Street in Legaspi Village, may not be for fainthearted first-time property buyers, the building’s developer, Keyland Corp., promises nothing short of luxury and convenience for those who can afford such an investment.

“It’s a worry-free investment,” said Keyland director and president Lito Montinola during the tower’s recent launch. “As a tenant, resident, or investor, practically everything is taken care of [for you].”

That’s because the serviced apartments will be managed by The Ascott Limited, one of the leading international serviced residence owner-operators with more than 300 properties in over 100 cities in 25 countries, including the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.

A member of CapitaLand, Ascott is also the largest such operator in the Philippines with 14 properties—seven of which are still under development—or around 2,900 units in Metro Manila and Cebu.

“As a global operator, there are criteria and benchmarks set when forging local partnerships. Ascott builds relationships with local partners that have a strong presence and more importantly, partners that share the same values and commitment to deliver properties that could meet its standards,” said Arthur Gindap, The Ascott Limited’s regional general manager for Philippines and Thailand. “Keyland Corp. is not only a remarkable and well-established developer in the Philippines, but is passionate about the brand and project.”

Citadines Benavidez Makati will have a total of 209 units, 142 of which are serviced residences. For a minimal fee, tenants can avail themselves of “a la carte” hotel services such as laundry or cleaning. Investors, on the other hand, are assisted by Ascott when it comes to facilities management and also leasing out their units. They are also free to use any vacant serviced unit for up to 10 days a year.

“[Keyland and Ascott] are the kinds of niche players [in the real estate industry] that make the market dynamic,” added professor and author Eric Soriano III, who also spent over 10 years working in the real estate industry. “[Their concepts] are not cookie-cutter; they go through the painstaking process of thinking a concept through before launching.”

All of the Citadines Benavidez Makati’s units will be turned over fully furnished, down to the last piece of cutlery, said Alvin Lao, the tower’s senior sales director.

And with prices that range from P7.5 million (studio) to P12.5 million (one-bedroom) to P15 million (two-bedroom), such property is a sound venture for the more experienced investor, Montinola said.

“We’ve spoiled our clients from the meticulously designed furniture, the management and marketing of the unit, to the prime location of the property,” he added.

Keyland Corp. is the developer behind residential properties such as Casa de Sequoia, Signa Designer Residences and Southkey Place; and multifunctional ones such as Keyland Plaza, Keyland Centre, and Keyland Ayala Building.

“We always try to think: What will the market like? That’s one thing we’ve always tried to maintain. The quality, value for money—when you see our products, you will really see [both]. For Citadines Benavidez, specifically, when you have a partner like Ascott, after 15 years, the building will still look like it’s new,” he said.