Condo Amenities

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HOTEL LUXURY, and friendly conceirge services, right where you live allow you to live grandly and in style.

Grand living with

As today’s condominium developers race to outdo each other by coming up with truly ingenious amenities, future condo dwellers who make full use of their amenities can begin to live it really big ON Their fifth anniversary, Jude Salazar (not his real name), an up-and-coming IT manager in one of Makati’s fastest-growing BPOs, went out of his way to pamper his wife. He treated her to a Thai massage in a poolside cabana at their condominium facing the Manila Bay. He bought a bottle of Malbec red wine, which they enjoyed together while relaxing in their own private whirlpool bath in their master bedroom, with the famous Manila Bay sunset as backdrop. 46 | CondoCentral

The tub was carefully rimmed with her favorite chocolate walnut candles. Then he prepared a gourmet dinner of organic grilled chicken, which he laid out on tables by the pool. He had reserved the poolside especially for their anniversary dinner. After dinner, lavender-scented candles led the way from the poolside to their unit, up into their bedroom. The bed was strewn with long-stemmed roses in her favorite yellow.

INFINITE BLISS with the infinity pool, now a staple amenity of most high-end or even midrange condo developments.

LET THE STAFF do the walking: condos now offer concierge services that help you multi-task your way through your social obligations.

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Condominium amenities of some developments East Tower at One Serendra, Bonifacio Global City

Developer: Ayala Land Premiere Price Range: PhP 6m to PhP20m

Amenities:

• Infinity pool • Private lagoons for lounging • Safe play areas for kids • Gym with dedicated cardio area, weighttraining area and yoga/Pilates room all with a view of reflecting pool and water features • Water features: • Landscaped pocket gardens • Elevated 25m lap pool, overflowing into main pool with private pool nooks • Dedicated kids' pool and outdoor play area, and indoor play area Country club-like amenities existing and turned over in The Palm (Section A): • Swimming pool with kids' area • Underground basketball and badminton courts • Game room, function room, and social halls • Indoor play area/day care center and outdoor playground for kids • Gym/fitness center • Exclusive spa and wellness center Other amenities to be enjoyed with the completion of The Jasmine and The Narra (Sections D & E): • Swimming pool with gazebo • Indoor kids play area • Sky party deck • Gym

Avida Towers, New Manila Developer: Avida

Ros at. UtRange: alit inci PhP1m to PhP3m Price bla ametum nonsequi yoyo ma blandit lutpat. Modoloreet mono gram • Main lobby in eliquat ummodion vel. • Clubhouse

Amenities:

• Adult and kiddie swimming pools • Jogging path • Children’s playground • Landscaped open spaces

El Jardin del Presidente 2, Quezon City

Developer: Megaworld Corporation Price Range: PhP2.5 studio to PhP3.5m

Amenities:

• Gate with elegant wrought-iron grillwork • Paved and landscaped arrival court • Adult and kiddie swimming pools with water spout feature • Changing rooms • Landscaped walkways • Children’s playground • Landscaped concrete perimeter fence with grillwork accent

Senta, Legaspi Village

Developer: Alveo Land Corp Price Range: Php3m to PhP9.18m

Amenities:

• Grand Lobby (398 sq m / 4,284 sq ft) • Floor to ceiling glass with view of Legazpi Park • Dynamic display of sculptures, artworks, and water feature • Modern visitor's lounge area, reception area, and mailbox area • 1,510sqm amenities floor: • Multi-experiential pools: 22m adult lounge pool, 20m lap pool, 34sqm kiddie pool, 20sqm heated jacuzzis • Private outdoor pool theater • Gym and fitness center overlooking Legazpi Park • Indoor kiddie play area and outdoor playground • Senta function room • Roof Garden featuring event area with 360˚ view of Makati CBD, putting green and barbecue area

The Fairways Tower

Developer: Philtown Properties Inc. Price Range: PhP6.2m to PhP8m

Amenities: AMENITIES GALORE: the boardroom for corporate meetings close to home, the bar for worry-free late nights, the wine cellar, and the reception area.

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All this was arranged by the concierge staff of the 1322 Golden Empire Tower, one among the country’s growing number of condominium developments that, following the trend in Western countries, aim to combine the convenience of home—with the grand luxury of a hotel. Among condo developers, from the major players to the smaller ones—all with developments under construction and now pre-selling, in Ortigas, Makati, The Fort, the Bay Area in Manila, or other places in the city—the amenities race is on. Where once amenities involved the pool, the

gym, and the security system, stiffer competition in a condo market quickly approaching its peak is pushing developers to come out with a range of out-of-the-box amenities. How about housekeeping services? Pet sitting? Tai chi spots? A wine cellar? Or even a traverse wall and other adventure sports facilities at the unique Active SpacesR of TRibeca Private Residences? IN TODAY’S highly competitive condo development market, the main differentiators are: space, location and pricing. Amenities make up the final one.

And for future dwellers, this race to provide the best amenities is a boon, opening up a whole new world of condominium living—a world where grandeur and luxury become everyday experiences. Thus, the fitness spa, concierge desk and even the infinity pool, in the past only found in upscale developments, are now run-of-the-mill amenities. So too are commercial spaces, most appreciated by young Tsinoy families eager to start-up their own home-based businesses, as well as security features like CCTV cameras and other hi-tech perimeter security systems.

The Columns, Legaspi Village

Developer: Alveo Land Corp Price Range: Php3m to PhP9.7m

Amenities:

• 450sqm gym • 25m lap pool and Kiddie pool • Sun deck • Landscaped jogging path • Function rooms • Kid’s Play Area • Guest room

• Laundry and cleaning services • High grand residential lobby • Commercial spaces • Business center • Fully landscaped exclusive driveway and gardens • Recreational Amenities/ Facilities located at the roof deck: • Spa and sauna • Adult and Kiddie Swimming Pools • Lifestyle and fitness gym • Playground area • Function rooms

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KL Mosaic, Legaspi Village, Makati

Developer: Brittany, Vista Land Price Range: PhP2.1m to PhP11.8m

Amenities:

• Grand lobby lounge and coffee shop • Advanced technology concierge services • Jacuzzis and steam baths for some units • Swimming pool • Guest parking • Exercise room • Recreation center • Laundry and cleaning services • Exemplary ventilation

Woodsville Viverde Mansions, Paranaque

Developer: Robinson’s Land Price Range: PhP2.1m to PhP3m

Amenities:

• Multi-cluster mid-rise condominium surrounded by 70% aces and 7 nature themed gardens • Nirvana cove: rock garden, bamboo groves, stone health walk • Fun park: colorful gardens for children • Poet's nook: path and plant topiary • Picnic grove: picnic huts, barbecue grill • Nature's orchestra: butterfly cage, mini ampitheater • The oasis: promenade, clubhouse and fitness cove • Big swimming pool • Adult swimming pool • Indoor playground • Outdoor playground • Landscaped open spaces • Jogging paths • Village mall

LIVE IT UP IN STYLE with the massages, the poolside cabanas, the private whirlpools, and discrete dining spaces. All these, and more, are offered by many condo developments today.

1322 Golden Empire

Developer: Moldex Realty Inc. Price Range: PhP14.1m to PhP50m

Amenities:

Even wi-fi zones and internet and cable-ready units are things most condo dwellers expect from even midscale developments today. Of course in this crisis-prone country, some basic building facilities are must-haves in all condominium developments: • Automatic fire sprinkler system for all units • Security command center for 24-hour monitoring of all building facilities • Centralized intercom system • Overhead water tank and underground cistern for ample water supply • Standby power generator for selected common areas • Building administration office

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TODAY the name of the game is creating homes that grant owners true luxury-at-their fingertips: The wine cellar for aficionados, the pet walk and care center for poodle-owners, the in-house movie theaters with blow-you-away sound, and the party deck. “Pinoy condo buyers are just looking for the place that gives them the best bang for their buck,” note analysts of the condo developments. Melissa Gardencillo and her friend Nat Visaya (not their real names) used to live in a rented apartment along Chino Roces Avenue (Pasong Tamo), so that they could be close to their demanding jobs in an advertising agency and a national daily. Now they’ve chosen to move into a condominium unit at the Fairways Tower, located at

the Fort, which is an FX ride away from their offices. To make ends meet, the two girls got the rest of their college gang to stay with them, splitting up the considerable rent. But the perks far outweigh the expense. These include room and laundry service, in-home massages, pet grooming and outdoor movie showings at the function room. Social events are free, but members pay for housekeeping, massages and other services. “It feels like you’re always on vacation,” Melissa enthuses about her new home. Indeed many developers acknowledge that the lure of amenities can give them the edge, where selling is concerned. “With the rising food and oil crisis, people are very conscious about what their expenses will be

once they move in,” notes Nobleland Ventures, Inc. General Manager Jonas Senia. “At the same time, they also want to feel like they’re buying into luxury.” Nobleland is developing The Exchange Regency, a 42-storey condominium project that aims to elevate modern living options by combining luxury and affordability. The condominium is set to rise on a three-corner property at the convergence point of Exchange Road, Meralco Avenue, and Jade Drive in Ortigas Center, Pasig City. Target completion is December 2010. But luxury is a very subjective thing, so the best way for prospective buyers is to check out for themselves the amenities offered by upcoming development projects.

• Grand lobby • Landscaped gardens • Adult lap pool and kiddie pool • Jacuzzi • Pool side party area with bar • Water features along the driveway and at the main entrance plaza • Physical fitness center • Sauna and massage rooms • Sesame Street inspired children’s playroom • Bathtub with whirlpool in all master’s bathrooms • Guest’s powder room in all unites • Maid’s quarters with toilet and bath • Naturally ventilated dirty kitchen • Energy saving, heat repellent, light deflecting exterior glass • Spacious lounge and function area • Function room • Putting green and gazebos

TRibeca Private Residences, Sucat, Paranaque

Developer: Landco Pacific Corporation Price Range: PhP2.5 to PhP3.5m studio

Amenities:

• 15 residential towers in the 9.7ha development • Hotel-like concierge service: housekeeping, water refilling, home serve massage, laundry and dry cleaning, shuttle service, leasing and administration • Aqua park: play area and beach pool, massage cottages, sunken deck area, floating pads, sunken bar, gazebos, infinity pool, Jacuzzi • Clubhouse • Chill-out spot • Central park: greens and flower garden • Open spaces: pond, leisure walkway, tree courts, lawns, paved tree-lines roads • Active spacesR: traverse wall, shallow and lap pools, canvass coves, life-size doll houses, giant chess board, jogging path, fitness circuits, bicycle, jogging path, playground • Barbecue and social pavilions • Commercial spaces

Grand Hamptons

Developer: G&W Architects, Engineers, Project Development Consultants Price Range: PhP2.3m to PhP11m

Amenities:

• 50% of area devoted to landscaped open space • Landscaped garden with fish pond • Lanai area for outdoor pool parties • Entrance lobby • Adult and kiddie pools • Paved sunbathing deck • Floral garden area • Recreational area with shower and changing facilities • Gazebo area with water feature • Multi-purpose function room • Game room with billiards and lounge area • Private game rooms • Gym • Commercial spaces • Maintenance and housekeeping services

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