Major developers from Manila are establishing their presence as they race to build vertical residentials, but homegrown developers are also keeping pace.

Their efforts, in total, account for some 20 condo projects, including a landmark 55-storey structure, and nearly 50 subdivisions in the suburbs which are set to rise in the next three to five years. These are expected to widen the city’s array of living spaces: soon entering the market are affordable studio units for business process outsourcing (BPO) workers and out-of-town students, as well as costly apartments with gardens or pools for balikbayan retirees and expatriates.
On the retail front, developers SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and Ayala-led Cebu Holdings, Inc. are expanding to provide 300,000 square meters-worth of leasable space.

The property boom, driven by a robust BPO sector and a growing community of foreign and non-local students, will likely continue for the next half decade, said Cebu Realtors Board (CEREB) president Tonette T. Fritzsche. “It’s a seller’s market because we’re just starting to fill the gap in housing. We have probably five more years before the market is saturated,” she said.

Demand for both house-and-lot and condominium units are up. While overseas Filipino workers generally prefer townhouses or detached housing units in the suburbs, students and young professionals are more inclined to purchase a condo unit that will give them easy access to the city’s amenities.

A three-bedroom townhouse roughly an hour’s drive from the center can now have a tag price upwards of P2 million. For a little less than this, a buyer may opt for a studio unit at a mid-market condominium that is within walking distance of offices, schools, hospitals and shopping centers in the urban core.

Condo Living
As of October last year, 12 condo projects have been approved and issued licenses to sell by the Central Visayas regional office of the Housing and Land Use Regulatory Board (HLURB). This year, seven more have been granted development permits and issued temporary licenses while five other new projects have pending applications for preliminary approval and location clearance.

Roy T. Lopez, HLURB regional director, said that the southern metropolis is seeing an unprecedented growth in the segment. “All the big-time developers from Manila are now in Cebu. Demand for condo is increasing because prices of raw land within Cebu City are rising and there are no longer big properties (for horizontal subdivision development) within the city,” he said. At least five hectares are needed for a subdivision development, he added.

Among the new projects with pending applications is twin-tower Horizon 101 along Gen. Maxilom (Mango) Ave., which is set to become Cebu’s tallest buildings. Its developer, Gaisano-owned Taft Property Venture Development Corp., hopes to launch the first skyscraper in a couple of months. The cost of constructing the 55-storey structure, which will yield at least 900 units, is pegged at P1.1 billion. Its studio units will carry a base price of P1.7 million. “This will be a new landmark in Cebu,” Mr. Lopez said.

Holding a temporary license is The Residences, the first of three upscale condominium towers that Federal Land will build within the Marco Polo hotel complex in Nivel Hills. It will have 22 floors and 165 units, and is targeted for completion in 2013. The 25-storey Tower 2, temporarily called 2 Residences, was launched less than two weeks ago, said Federal Land Cebu sales manager Feliz John Peñascoza.

These ventures are matched by Ayala Land Premier and Alveo Land, both of which were issued development permits and temporary licenses two months ago.

The former is building its first condominium in Cebu, the ritzy 1016 Residences, at a cost of P1 billion. The 27-storey structure will rise within the 50-hectare Cebu Business Park, and its 109 units can be had for an average of P12 million each.

Special homes, which come with a private pool, terrace or garden, will set one back by P40 million each. Bernard Vincent Dy, Ayala Land, Inc. senior vice president and head of Ayala Land Residential Business Group, has said that the project aims to introduce country club living on the island. Alveo Land’s first project in Cebu, the Sedona Parc, will stand a few meters behind 1016 Residences. These will complement another Ayala brand, Avida Towers Cebu, for which the firm has set aside a P1.2 billion budget. Composed of two 25-storey buildings at the Asiatown IT Park, it will have units priced at P1.6 million to P4.4 million.

Other projects that were issued temporary licenses were Lot 8 in Mabolo, Padgett Place near the U.P. Cebu campus, Apple One within Cebu Business Park and City Loft. The latter, a mid-range development that will rise along Gen. Maxilom Ave., will be the first of three 17-storey residential condos that Fuente Triangle will build. As in other Fuente Triangle projects, purchase of one of its units comes with a Club Ultima membership.

Meanwhile, homegrown firms Cebu Landmasters, Inc. and RIASJAC Development Corp. recently announced plans to construct the 16-storey One Baseline Place, whose units will be sold at P1.8 million to P3.5 million, at the Baseline Complex in two years.

Shopping Malls
Keeping up with the residential upswing is a surge in commercial developments. SM, for one, will spend at least P20 billion on two shopping malls–one in Consolacion and a 25-hectare complex at the South Road Properties (SRP)–even as it scouts for a location for its fourth retail structure in Cebu. The P800 million Consolacion mall will have a leasable space of 40,000 square meters, while the one at the SRP, SM’s third in Cebu and biggest in the Visayas, would have twice the size of SM City Cebu, currently the fourth largest SM mall in the country.

The developer is also drawing blueprints for several condominiums, a hotel and a church at the SRP, a 300-hectare greenfield development that was reclaimed by the Cebu city government.

Cebu Holdings, meanwhile, is investing P2.8 billion to expand Ayala Center Cebu. The extension will yield an additional leasable space of 36,000 square meters and bring in high-end merchants from Greenbelt 5 and Glorietta 4. Clavel G. Tongco, senior division head for Ayala Malls, said a market study showed that Cebu’s demographic is ready for these stores.

Pocket commercial developments are also being undertaken by local companies: RIASJAC recently finished redeveloping a prime property into One Mango arcade.

While these projects have elicited positive response from realtors, Ms. Fritzsche said the latter also expressed concern about the inadequate implementation of laws ensuring sustainable growth. She cautioned: “There should be a balance in the way we build and in the way we (set the) price. We can’t just build and build. We have to respect and protect the environment.”

For golf, a well-designed course, which balances aesthetics with game challenge, is hard to come by, much less one that takes into consideration family-friendly amenities. This is why Anvaya Cove stands out.

Anvaya Cove is working to reinvent the traditional concept of leisure, and the development is now set to redefine the sport as it announces plans to introduce the Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club. Nestled within Bataan’s coastline, the seaside leisure community combines panoramic views unique to the development and raises the bar of sustainable living with its globally recognized efforts.

Unique

“Anvaya Cove is a tangible representation of Ayala Land Premier’s thrust for environmental sustainability, and holds the distinction of being our first leisure community development,” says Antonio Aquino, President of Ayala Land Inc. “As pioneers, we are proud that Anvaya Cove sets the benchmark for sustainability without taking anything away from the unique, recreational experience that it can provide for its growing community.”

Set in a location where the mountains meet the sea, Anvaya Cove offers a diverse mix of residential offerings—from a range of lot sizes, leisure townhomes and low-rise condominium units, all anchored on the tenets of sustainable leisure and complemented by exceptional amenities designed to cater to many interests and needs.

“Bataan’s unique coastline definitely adds to Anvaya Cove’s distinctiveness, and every feature within Anvaya Cove was built to Cheighten this experience,” says Aquino.

For this reason, Anvaya Cove is now extending its expertise in sustainable development and understanding of premier seaside living with the introduction of the development’s first, all-weather, 18-hole, championship course, clearly marking its potential to be ranked alongside the best golf courses in the world.

Green Golf

True to its thrust for sustainability, the Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club is designed to adhere to the same stringent set of sustainability guidelines that has allowed Anvaya Cove to be recognized worldwide.

It is done in partnership with Golf Plan, a world-renowned design firm specializing in sustainable golf course development.

For the golf aficionado, the 18-hole course offers an opportunity to enjoy a much-loved sport amid the grand vistas that only Anvaya Cove’s mountain or sea course can offer. Beginners and enthusiasts on the other hand, are provided an opportunity to learn and experience the game with the dedicated junior and ladies’ tees. The carefully planned course caters to varying skills and expertise ensuring a new challenge with each, and will be complemented by a driving range facility where golfers and newbies can refine their game or learn the sport, respectively.

“Beyond the majestic views and landscapes is of course the intent to give families a distinct place where they can enjoy time with loved ones,” adds Mike Jugo, Project Head of Anvaya Cove. The Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club is also set to offer an expansive venue for recreation that will offer something for every member of the family. These include diverse dining experiences set to be enjoyed across expansive golf verandas, top-rate recreational and sports amenities including an expansive pool complex, sports courts, game room, a gym and fitness room.

For inquiries on Anvaya Cove, call (2) 215-7131, visit www.ayalalandpremierhomes.comor e-mail lim.alicia@ayalalandpremier.com

The Ayala property arm has tapped Golfplan, Fream, Dale & Ramsey ” a world-famous golf course design firm with 150 completed golf courses worldwide ” for the Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club.

The design will be “anchored on the tenets of sustainable leisure and complemented by exceptional amenities designed to cater to many interests and needs,” Ayala Land said in a press release.

Antonino T. Aquino, president of Ayala Land, said: “Important sustainability developments are provided for, preserving a lot of waterways, beaches, as well as forest covers.”

Nestled within Bataan’s coastline, the seaside leisure community is said to offer panoramic views, raising the bar of sustainable living and eco-tourism.
The chief architect of Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club, Kevin Ramsey, said: “The key to the future of the game is having eco-designs and minimizing carbon footprint. We have taken a fluid approach to the design of the course.”

Mr. Ramsey, vice-president and partner of Golfplan, told reporters an eco-sustainable golf course takes into consideration three factors: water use, grass selection, and movement of soil. The new golf course addresses these issues, Mr. Ramsey said.

With Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club, “Ayala Land really made sure that there is minimal earth moving or none at all, preserving the natural beauty and landscape of the area.”

He added: “The grass we used is of endemic breed called Manila grass, which is 30% less water-intensive than other species. The company has invested in state-of-the-art irrigation system to ensure less water use.”

Apart from a beach and country club, spa, and nature camp, the all-weather, 18-hole, 7,100-yard golf course will cater to all kinds of golfers by dividing the course in five tees: juniors’, seniors’, ladies’, men’s, and championship tees.

Bobby O. Dy, Ayala Land senior vice-president and head of the firm’s residential business group, said the development strikes a balance between “playability and eco-sensitivity.”

The Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club, which will have a total area of 80 hectares including the sports club, is slated to open in 2013.

Golf club membership share prices range from P1.1 million-P1.8 million depending on share class, Mr. Dy said.

Mr. Dy said the company plans to sell a total of around 1,500 shares.

The property firm expects to sell 500-600 shares this year.

In a briefing Wednesday, ALI senior vice president Bobby Dy said about 80 hectares of the leisure estate in Morong, Bataan, would be devoted to an 18-hole, all-weather championship golf course. This would be alongside new amenities such as a sports club with gym, badminton, basketball, an expansive swimming pool complex and game-room facilities meant to engage varying interests of families.

Development of the Anvaya Cove Golf and Sports Club would be fully completed by 2013, Dy said, noting that some portions of the golf course could be ready for playing by the latter part of next year.

ALI plans to initially sell up to 1,500 golf club shares for P1.2 million and P1.8 million each for individual and corporate memberships.

Dy said ALI, which started selling club shares only last Friday, might be able to sell 500 to 600 shares this year. The golf course is seen breaking even once a critical mass of 800 shares has been taken up.

Buyers of the golf club shares will also have access to Anvaya Cove’s beach and country club, which was developed much earlier and which opened in 2008. The beach club has about 16,000 members, some of whom could upgrade to the new club, Dy said.

“Anvaya Cove is a tangible representation of Ayala Land Premier’s thrust for environmental sustainability and holds the distinction of being our first leisure community development,” ALI president Antonino Aquino said.

The new development is being undertaken in partnership with Golf Plan, a globally renowned design firm specializing in sustainable golf course development.

The place is serene and under constant security surveillance. No one can enter without a green light from the resident you wish to visit. In addition to the security, there is also convenience so you wouldn’t have to travel so far away for medicines (there’s Mercury Drug nearby) and a day care center for the kids.

Just outside the gates of Ayala West Grove is their parish church. Though open to the public, Catholic Westgrove residents enjoy the tranquility of hearing mass in the Church of St. Benedict, a modern place of worship built under the auspices and funding of the residents themselves. This church is truly a labor of love, making sure that the faithful need not travel too far from their homes just to be closer to God. Inside, the structure is purely understated elegance; a reflection of how Ayala Westgrove is all about.

The Ayala Westgrove has some of most amazing amenities that I have ever seen in a residential village. Aside from the great security, this is the only private gated community that offers concierge service. Need gasul? Call the concierge. Need plumber? Call concierge. You can practically call them for almost anything you need. Now that’s the Ayala brand of service. Definitely worth every cent. So, you probably wonder, what do the residents do for fun? See their facilities and be a believer.

Just one of their many man-made lagoons, designed to remind the residents why they moved in. Because of the size of this property (all 400 hectares of it), there is more than just one clubhouse. Several clubhouses with impeccable facilities are strategically situated between phases of the property. This way, residents can have easy access to the clubhouse nearest them. Celebrities and tycoons have been known to among their roster of residents, a list that is too important to reveal. Anonymity is part of the package, upon the client’s request.

The view is just as spectacular as the after-sales service. That’s why Charl is all smiles.

For assistance in site visits, please coordinate with ALET LIM at 215-7131

Courtesy of http://pinoylife.i.ph/blogs/pinoylife/?p=62

“Following the success of its first tower, Ayala Land takes its expertise, once more, with the promise of bespoke living with Park Terraces 2,” Ayala Land Premier said in a statement on Tuesday.

Units in Park Terraces 2 will be zoned for the convenience of buyers. All one-bedroom units will be at the fifth to 33rd floor, two-bedroom units at the 34th to 47th floor, and three-bedroom and penthouse units at the 48th to 59th floor.

The three-tower Park Terraces is part of the P20-billion Ayala Center redevelopment, which includes 54,000 square meters of new retail space, 655 news hotel rooms, 13 storeys of new office space, a four-hectare garden.

Ayala Land operates under four major brands — Ayala Land Premier for the high-end segment, Alveo Land for the middle-income segment, Avida for the “affordable” market, and Amaia for economic housing.

The property unit of the Ayala group earned P1.32 billion in the second quarter, up by 10% on the back of across-the-board growth in its businesses. This brought net income to P2.51 billion in the first half, up by a third.

Shares in Ayala Land fell by 0.92% or 16 centavos to P17.18 each on Tuesday.

1.) The use of master switch key cards to lessen electric bills. With the master switch key card (most luxury hotels are using this in all their rooms), there would be no need to manually unplug all electrical appliances from the socket. The master switch key card will allow unit owners to minimize electric consumption once they leave the units for the day, as only the refrigerator will not be turned off with the removal of the master switch key card from its slot. The projected cost savings from this has been estimated at 30 percent compared with conventiona residential buildings.

2.) Motion sensors installed at the corridors. Lights automatically turn on only when the sensors’ computers detect a person.

3.) Passive cooling ventilation on the tower. Conventiona residential towers are designed with limited window openings, Park Terraces 2’s beams won’t get in the way of the building’s window balconies and sliding doors. Opening up the units from the 20th to the 25th floor reduces the need for owners to turn on the air conditioning. Furthermore, hallways have been designed for optimum airflow at both ends. conditioning. Furthermore, hallways have been designed for optimum airflow at both ends.

4.) The water closets use the dual flush technology Owners can use the low-water flow flush whenever appropriate.

5.) With the building’s large windows, natural light is maximized at every unit.

6.) Park Terraces 2 will be integrated into the planned 10- year, P20-billion makeover of the Ayala Center envisioned to become a pedestrian-friendly center for commerce and iving. The planned additional walkways, interconnected underground parking, four hectares of parks and green spaces (such as the one-hectare landscaped Palm Promenade right beside Park Terraces towers) and additional retail areas are expected to motivate occupants to go out more and exercise, meditate and commune with others—altogether reducing the “sick building syndrome” and minimizing hospitalization costs among unit dwellers and owners.

Park Terraces 2, scheduled for turnover in 2016, will bring owners ever closer to a lifestyle that’s healthier for both humans and the planet, according to Bobby Dy, Ayala Land senior vice president and head of the residential business group, and Leya Moya, project development manager for ALP residential buildings. Thus far, Park Terraces 2 has consistently lured in the Triple A residential market, according to Moya. Initially selling at an average rate of P153,000 per square meter for the first of its planned three-tower project, Park Terraces 2 now fetches an average P163,000 per sqm. The first tower is already 93 percent sold. The Point Tower, the second development within Park Terraces, highlights the exclusivity of each unit—units are zoned according to size, so that all one-bedroom units, from the 5th to the 33rd floor, number 10 per floor; two- bedroom units, from the 34th to the 47th floor, will number six per floor. There will be four three-bed