by Marianne A. Tocmo / Business Mirror
Used to be the life-long dream for most Filipinos was to own a house and lot. Many still do. But for today’s generation, especially those who had to stay in a dormitory for college, a condominium unit already suffices.
Condominiums fit into today’s modern, easy and fast-paced lifestyle. It’s amazing how condo designers are able to maximize the limited space allotted to buyers, and personally I like the fact that your neighbors are just literally next to you. Moreover, attractive packages, including rent-to-own schemes, have made owning a condo a feasible goal for many. One doesn’t have to waste his money on monthly rent for something that’s never going to be theirs—and they don’t even have to make huge initial cash payments.
And it’s not so much a downgrade, although indeed it is nearly impossible for one who’s just starting out to afford to buy a freestanding house in Metro Manila’s ever-expanding commercial districts.
Those belonging to older generations naturally have their concerns. They worry about the water supply, fire, earthquakes and the fact that one doesn’t own land—much less a garden. Then there’s the fact that condos seem more suited for singles and not for growing families.
But the proliferation of condo projects these days suggests that this mindset is slowly changing. The key is to find one that has affordable payment terms, accessible to everything and, of course, one that has an established name behind it.
One like the Metrobank Group. Dr. George S.K. Ty turned his life-long passion for architecture into reality by creating Federal Homes in July 1972 to cater to the residential needs of the Filipino-Chinese community in downtown Manila. The company changed its name in 2002 to become Federal Land Inc. and now boasts of 26 landmark projects that dot the Metro Manila skyline. From the picturesque Manila Bay to the Makati business district, and even in the valleys of Marikina City and in sprawling Quezon City, Federal Land offers signature developments that have generously spaced and functional areas, stylish designs, complete amenities and vibrant communities for its residents.
One such project is The Capital Towers, which played a critical role in the 2009 Metrobank Art and Design competition, which pushed the envelope for eco-friendly habitats, allowing interior designers to come up with different design possibilities. Located along E. Rodriguez Avenue in Quezon City, The Capital Towers comes with a load of benefits. Its prime location means residents need not brave long commutes as it is easily within reach of top schools, hospitals, churches and other commercial establishments. Leading medical institutions like St. Luke’s Medical Center, Delos Santos-STI Medical Center and the National Children’s Hospital are within the vicinity.
Boasting an eco-friendly motif, the designers of The Capital Towers utilized recycled materials such as wood blocks, glass mirrors and cut moldings. Both the one-bedroom and two-bedroom units come with ceramic tiles for the kitchen and bathrooms, teakwood parquet flooring in the living, dining and bedrooms, as well as granite countertop and laminated doors and kitchen cabinets. These quality finishes combined with floor-to-ceiling windows all provide for comfortable young professional living. After all, space management is at the heart of the development.
Aside from the elegant interiors, The Capital Towers also has a dedicated property management team which makes sure everything runs properly from the fully automated heat or smoke detector system, centralized garbage disposal system and 24-hour security. The development also encourages efficient water management system for environmental sustainability.
Another project that Federal Land is about to launch is the Lilac Tower of Oriental Garden Makati. Located at the corner of Don Chino Roces and Export Avenues, it is ideal for those working in the Makati business district as there is no more need to commute for hours just to get to work. The one-bedroom unit ranges from 20.5 to 32.5 sq m and comes with a steel railing balcony, kitchen with granite countertop and modular base cabinets, ceramic tiles for the kitchen and bathroom, and painted gypsum board ceiling. The modular closet in the bedroom captures the classy space-saving urban design concept that’s perfect for the young professional.
Oriental Garden Makati also boasts a variety of amenities to spice up urban living. It has a podium garden and koi pond, swimming pool, gym and fitness center, clubhouse and multipurpose hall, and even a children’s play area and daycare center.
So who says condo living is meant only for singles? n