A piece of exquisite Japan at the heart of BGC
It could very well serve as your antidote to the concrete jungle’s fast and dizzying pace.
The Seasons Residences—a property being developed by Federal Land Inc. together with Japan’s Nomura Real Estate Development Corp. and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd.—evokes of everything that individuals have come to love and admire about Japan.
Filipinos, for one, have long been fascinated about the Japanese way of life, their understated elegance and gentle demeanor—that many have aspired to live the Japanese way to a “long and happy life.”
“Today’s property buyers demand homes that truly reflect their lifestyles, and we are collaborating with two of the most trusted names in Japan to develop The Seasons Residences, which will house the first Mitsukoshi Mall in the country,” said Federal Land chair Alfred V. Ty.
New global standard
A first for the Philippine market, The Seasons Residences is expected to set a new global standard in the property scene. Inspired by the four seasons of Japan, this four-tower residential development at the Grand Central Park is primed to fuse Filipino hospitality with Japanese design efficiency, allowing its future residents to experience the much sought flair and comfort that is synonymous to a truly luxurious and glamorous lifestyle.
“We started back with Thailand and Vietnam in 2015 before we went to the Philippines. I just happen to know Alfred Ty and we have a good relationship. That’s why when Federal Land invited us to partner with them for their Bonifacio Global City project, we decided to do a joint venture,” said Nomura Real Estate Development Co. executive officer Atsushi Ogata.
“While the project is huge and complicated since it’s a multipurpose development, we still decided to work with them because we have long known and heard about Federal Land’s holding company GT Capital. We know that the GT Group has had a lot of experiences dealing with Japanese companies so they already know how we behave and how we do business. And also, we believe Federal Land has very good understanding of the real estate business thus making them the best real estate company for us to work with,” Ogata added.
Japanese hallmarks
Strategically located at the emerging 10-ha Grand Central Park in North Bonifacio Global City, The Seasons Residences will bear the Japanese hallmarks of balance and stylish efficiency. And much like everything that comes from Japan, The Seasons Residences is designed with precision, and features impeccable Japanese innovations meant to elevate the standards of comfort, convenience and functionality for its discerning homeowners.
All four residential towers will feature Japanese elements that focus on technology, functionality, safety and harmony with the environment. Each tower will rise 41 to 50 stories high, with the first tower, Haru, offering 304 residential units with cuts ranging from 49 sqm to 175 sqm.
Future residents are set to revel in a host of amenities that will bring the Japanese way of life to the fore. The amenity floor will be divided into zones that reflect the four seasons of Japan. Active Spring will house a well-equipped gym, daycare and tranquil gardens while Breezy Summer will feature pools, playground, game and karaoke rooms. A well-appointed business center, reading lounge and a music studio will be housed at Creative Autumn, while a spa with stone baths and a dry garden will be the main features of Dreamy Winter.
The amenity deck will also have one unique feature, The Guest House, a serene space with a tea room and bedroom where visitors can rest, relax and experience the Japanese lifestyle.
“We looked at a lot of condos in the Philippines and we may be a bit advanced given that Nomura already has 30 years experience in building residential projects. But we believe that the Philippines is also already in that stage wherein it is making really good quality structures and if you combine that with our skills and technology, then I know that we will be able to create and build good quality buildings,” Ogata explained.
According to Ogata, The Seasons Residences will not only be gorgeous—it will also be well designed and which will still look nice even after a decade or two. He pointed out that they were “very hands on” in terms of the design and that they even surveyed a number of architects before deciding to partner with the largest and most famous architectural firm of Japan—one which they believe would best fit their vision for the project.
He added that they had incorporated a lot of new technologies and features that the Philippine market may not have not seen before.
“We try to differentiate ourselves from the others through the quality of our projects. For Nomura it just keeps getting better year after year and this is the experience and skill that we are bringing to the Philippines. We put our expertise into this project so you will see that the residents of The Seasons will enjoy a safe comfortable and sustainable life,” Ogata explained.
Unique elements
The innovative Japanese design can be seen in The Seasons Residences’ well thought-out, space-maximizing fixtures such as the distinct shoe cabinet in the foyer, the kitchen floor storage, and spacious kitchen and bedroom cabinets. The kitchen sink will be fitted with accessories to make food preparation more convenient, while a below-floor drainage system in the bathroom will allow for easier pipe maintenance and water leakage protection.
In bigger units, a separate shower and bathtub highlight the Japanese tradition of “ofura” which means bath. Bathing is almost a sacred ritual in Japan that is believed to help ease physical stress and boost mental wellness. The units are likewise equipped with a range hood with Japanese oil-filter technology as well as air washing tiles that minimize excess humidity, unpleasant doors and harmful substances in the air.
A most interesting feature is the toilet technology that The Season Residences will have as it recently partnered with Toto to install special washlets in specific units for its first tower. These seats are equipped with powerful automated deodorizers as well as a soft closing seat with varied temperature settings. All these functions can be conveniently controlled via a wireless remote with an illuminated touch pad.
Safety and security of the residents will also be a top priority thus the entire development will feature a breakthrough damper system or vibration control technology to minimize vibrations from both strong winds and earthquakes. It will also be equipped with top-of-the-line fire detection and alarm systems to prevent accidents.
“While I’m not sure if everybody in the Philippines like the Japanese way of life, for the future residents, what we can promise them is really the quality and sustainability of the project. You see, what we offer is a genuine taste of Japanese hospitality, it’s really a piece of Japan,” Ogata concluded.
