Bare structure finally sees light of day

SUNTRUST Capitol Plaza

For years this bare structure, a high rise standing behind the Quezon City Hall, stood like a forgotten monolith among the city’s fast-changing skyline.

Passersby and motorists both wonder why such a towering edifice was left untouched.

But people will no longer have to guess as Suntrust Properties Inc. recently announced it will be transformed into one classy residential condo that will soon be a dominant landmark surrounding the Quezon Memorial Circle area.

“At 33-stories high, Suntrust Capitol Plaza will definitely be imposing as well as spectacular,” described Suntrust Properties president, lawyer Harrison Paltongan.

Suntrust Properties (www.suntrust.com.ph) is a subsidiary of Megaworld Corp.

Located in a 2,600-square-meter property on Matalino Street (back of Quezon City Hall and just beside the iconic Sulo Hotel) in Diliman, Suntrust Capitol Plaza will be designed to be imposing as well as opulent.

‘Palazzio’

“We want to impress that feeling of grand proportions that both future residents and guests will feel the moment they step into the opulent lobby. Suntrust Properties designed this high-rise residential condominium to be a ‘palazzio’ that is, a grand palace designed like an upscale condo despite the fact that units here will be priced affordably,” described Paltongan.

And they will feel that way, added Paltongan, as Suntrust Properties will build a central grand lobby with a reception and lounge area that offers high ceilings and imposing architecture.

Such design will also be repeated in the residential lobby.

Aside from the hotel-like lobby, Suntrust Capitol Plaza will also offer retail shops, food outlets with kitchen, eight levels of parking (total of 291 slots) as well as four high-speed, interior finished passenger elevators—two to service the two basement parking floors as well as the commercial spaces at the ground floor, clinics and shops at the second floor, and the parking levels at the 3rd to 8th floor.

“The other two elevators will exclusively service the residential floors from the 9th to 33rd floor,” Paltongan added.

Amenities area

The amenities area located at the ninth floor will have an infinity pool, children’s pool, jacuzzi, a pool deck with sitting area, paved sunbathing lounge, viewing deck, function rooms, gymnasium, rooms for aerobics, massage, changing for men and women (with shower for each).

Another notable feature of Suntrust Capitol Plaza is the viewing deck located at the 31st floor: “Residents will be able to enjoy 360-degree views of the cityscapes of Ortigas, Makati, Mandaluyong and Cubao, including the scenic mountains of Rizal province,” described Paltongan.

Paltongan explained that this becomes possible as Suntrust Capitol Plaza’s building design offers many sides—more than 20 in fact.

Expansive views

“By having more than the typical four sides that most condo units offer, we could assure our homebuyers that they will be enjoying more and expansive views from their windows,” Paltongan assured.

He also added that by having numerous sides, future residents would be able to enjoy more views: Quezon City and Tandang Sora skyline to the north; Pasig, Makati, Eastwood, Cubao and Mandaluyong skyline to the south; the mountains of Rizal province to the east; and the Ninoy Aquino Park and Wildlife Nature Center to the west.

“With more sides, units will also have more windows that will allow good air ventilation and abundant sunlight that will provide good illumination for all units is also assured. The bottom line here is that our residents would be able to enjoy more savings on electric bill for their lighting and air-cons,” he said.

Paltongan added that Suntrust Capitol Plaza will offer just 473 with each of the 33 floors assured of at least 38 percent open space.

Low density

“We’re not after the number of units that we could offer. Rather, we want to ensure that each floor doesn’t feel crowded and that each unit is more spacious than what is normally offered in the market. We also provided topnotch amenities that are not usually offered in this price range. In a way we are setting the bar of what an affordable residential condo could offer,” he said.

With units that could be had for just P2 million (studio), Paltongan believes they have a residential condo that would be very attractive to the low- and middle-income homebuyers. After all, Suntrust Capitol Plaza have units designed to address the varying paying capacity of interested homebuyers.

“No other development in this price range offers so much amenities and facilities. And being located at the heart of Quezon City, we will be attracting professionals working in the various BPOs in the area, those working in nearby government and private establishments and even families of overseas Filipino workers,” Paltongan said.

First venture

“This may be Suntrust Properties’ first venture in Quezon City but since 1997, this company has created numerous self-sustaining residential communities. Indeed, we have the experience and expertise,” he said referring to projects that include the 89-hectare township of Governor’s Hills and the 40-hectare community of The Gentri Heights, both located in General Trias, Cavite.

Suntrust Properties’ other condominium developments include Suntrust Parkview in Ermita, Manila; Adriatico Gardens in Malate, Manila; Treetop Villas on Coronado Street, Mandaluyong; UN Gardens on UN Avenue, Manila, and Suntrust Aurora Gardens on Aurora Boulevard, Quezon City.

“While Megaworld has a successful track record of building self-contained communities under its pioneering live-work-play-learn concept and Empire East Land Holdings Inc. is making a name in developing and marketing housing projects, Suntrust on the other hand, is now aspiring to carve a name as a major provider for low- to moderate-income Filipino families. With Suntrust Capitol Plaza our market will soon have a rare opportunity to acquire a uniquely crafted living space in Quezon City,” Paltongan assured.