Going upscale puts Cebu property firm on map

The resort-like feel that permeates throughout the residential subdivisions by Arcenas Properties was achieved by installing electric and water lines underground.

Taking the road less traveled proved to be a strategic move for a Cebu-based property developer.

At a time when the upscale real estate market in Cebu was all about buying lots in premium subdivisions, Arcenas Properties was already pushing the envelope in property development.

“The high-end real estate market in Cebu used to be just lot-only subdivision developers. If you wanted a premium home, you had to look for an individual architect. There were no developers in this segment,” recalled company president Danny Arcenas.

Hence, when the Cebu-based Arcenas Properties launched its first premium housing project in 2000 with Paseo San Ramon, the company pioneered several innovations not typically practiced by other players: It offered pre-built premium homes within a large-scale premium community.

The niche market that Arcenas Properties had intended to service was not only responsive to the company’s unique market proposition—it was also unexpectedly large in size.

Arcenas however knew that serving an untapped yet discerning luxury market comes with great responsibility. Thus, in drafting plans for the initial projects, the company was meticulous about material selection, placing great emphasis on quality.

While rival companies were focused on bringing down costs, Arcenas Properties was keen on maximizing quality.

Offering clients the option to upgrade units was another pioneering effort by Arcenas Properties. This added feature presented a better alternative to cookie-cutter homes.

By creating a comprehensive catalog of premium fixtures and finishes to choose from, Arcenas Properties addressed the need for residents to build their homes into abodes reflective of their individual styles and elevated sensibilities.

The company was just as meticulous with the exteriors as the interiors.

Inside Paseo San Ramon, there are no wires to mar the view of rolling hills.

The company enlisted engineers to install electric and water lines underground.

This effort, though costly, contributed to the resort-like aesthetic that has become definitive of real estate projects by Arcenas Properties.

It thus comes as no surprise that units at Paseo San Ramon, then Casa Rosita and Ridges sold in record time despite the after-effects of the 1997 Asian crisis.

By the time the last few units at Paseo San Ramon were turned over, the interest in the company’s next project, the Casa Rosita, was just as strong, as the well heeled market in Cebu recognized the unique proposition offered by Arcenas Properties.

After 18 years in the business, Arcenas Properties remains committed to bring innovations in real estate development, with the goal of pushing boundaries and introducing new standards to redefine the landscape of upscale living.