“Mother knows best” is an old saying that helped a young man on a decision to invest on property.
Rafael “Raffy” Hernandez, one of the proud owners of a studio unit at the Roces Tower of The Beacon, did not forget to consult his mother before investing on his current property. More than just a dutiful son, Raffy also knew of his mother’s experience in real property. His mother, Elaine, used to broker real estate assets before venturing into her own business of selling novelty items. Her commissions were invested on several properties which eventually appreciated in value.
Elaine’s eye for worthy investments immediately spotted The Beacon’s potential.
“It’s very promising. It’s so affordable and it has a good location considering the price,” she told her son.
The Beacon is a resort-inspired high-rise residential community and the maiden project of Geo Estate Development Corp. A status symbol in itself, its enviable address gives residents with considerable advantage as it is located in a bustling section of Makati. Its proximity to the Makati Central Business District, leisure and recreation hubs complements the on-the-go lifestyle of its market which is an interesting mix of small families, newly-married couples and ambitious young professionals. Just like Raffy.
Raffy represents a typical buyers’ profile of The Beacon: career-driven individuals who are likewise, savvy investors. He exudes a drive to succeed in his chosen career and desires the freedom that singlehood brings: more time to pursue hobbies and personal interests. He is both into music and sports.
At a relatively young age of 26, Raffy has already snapped up his first property and fully paid, at that. That’s why he is his mother’s pride.
“We did not spend a single cent for the acquisition. He paid everything with his hard-earned money,” Elaine said. As a reward for his accomplishments, she volunteered to shoulder the cost of the unit’s furnishings.
The Beacon is comprised of three towers that were named after the roads where they are located. Majority of the Roces Tower units are already primed for turnover to buyers. The Arnaiz tower is currently under construction. The last building, the Amorsolo tower will soon rise from its spot in one of Makatis bustling road.
Rafael “Raffy” Hernandez, one of the proud owners of a studio unit at the Roces Tower of The Beacon, did not forget to consult his mother before investing on his current property. More than just a dutiful son, Raffy also knew of his mother’s experience in real property. His mother, Elaine, used to broker real estate assets before venturing into her own business of selling novelty items. Her commissions were invested on several properties which eventually appreciated in value.
Elaine’s eye for worthy investments immediately spotted The Beacon’s potential.
“It’s very promising. It’s so affordable and it has a good location considering the price,” she told her son.
The Beacon is a resort-inspired high-rise residential community and the maiden project of Geo Estate Development Corp. A status symbol in itself, its enviable address gives residents with considerable advantage as it is located in a bustling section of Makati. Its proximity to the Makati Central Business District, leisure and recreation hubs complements the on-the-go lifestyle of its market which is an interesting mix of small families, newly-married couples and ambitious young professionals. Just like Raffy.
Raffy represents a typical buyers’ profile of The Beacon: career-driven individuals who are likewise, savvy investors. He exudes a drive to succeed in his chosen career and desires the freedom that singlehood brings: more time to pursue hobbies and personal interests. He is both into music and sports.
At a relatively young age of 26, Raffy has already snapped up his first property and fully paid, at that. That’s why he is his mother’s pride.
“We did not spend a single cent for the acquisition. He paid everything with his hard-earned money,” Elaine said. As a reward for his accomplishments, she volunteered to shoulder the cost of the unit’s furnishings.
The Beacon is comprised of three towers that were named after the roads where they are located. Majority of the Roces Tower units are already primed for turnover to buyers. The Arnaiz tower is currently under construction. The last building, the Amorsolo tower will soon rise from its spot in one of Makatis bustling road.
The late Italian designer Gianni Versace thrived on this precept. A consummate collector, he acquired European period furniture, Sèvres china, Italian glass, and Impressionist, Modern, and contemporary art.
When he renovated his Art Deco mansion in Miami Beach, he left no corner undecorated. It ranged from marble reliefs on discreet corners and iron palm frond chandeliers that echoed the plaster trompe l’oeil patterns on the walls, to a Charles X ormulu console and 18th-century French andirons co-existing with Roy Lichtenstein’s comic-book-like paintings.
Famous for his elaborately decorated and occasionally shocking gowns, Versace had a dynamic influence in the glamorizing of fashion in the ’80s and ’90s. He was considered the first designer to acknowledge the magnitude of pop culture in fashion, inviting celebrities to grace his shows and manipulating his advertising around sexual imagery.
“When historians look back on our era, Versace will indeed stand as a pivotal figure… chief among them that he legitimized vulgarity,” wrote the New York Times. Ironically, his trademarks—bold colors, elaborate prints, and the strange mishmash of motifs lifted from history—were considered idiosyncrasies of an aspirational lifestyle.
Two of the brand icons were born out of the designer’s fascination with classical art and Greek mythology. The Medusa was a ravishing woman, but whoever looked at her was completely mesmerized.
“Mr. Gianni Versace envisioned his creations to have a great impact on people. Each Versace piece is created to astound, overwhelm and surprise you for the rest of your life,” said the Versace spokesperson in an e-mailed questionnaire.
The Greek key fret, a repetition of horizontal and vertical designs, is also a distinct symbol derived from Greek architecture.
Since his death in 1997, the Versace SpA is run by his older brother Santo, the president, under the creative direction of his younger sister Donatella, who has continued Gianni’s vision of fusing style, classical art and flamboyance.
“My brother Gianni loved beauty in all its forms and expressions,” said Santo. “To make something out of this passion, he created the unique Versace style. He ensured that art would be worn, and that fashion and design would merge and come into our homes to be experienced every day. Art, beauty and charm belong to the Versace DNA.”
The Philippines had a taste of the Versace world when a home and lifestyle exhibit was showcased at the lobby of Pacific Star Building and the showroom of Century Properties Inc. The latter is building Milano Residences, a Versace-designed 53-story residential condominium in Century City, a complex that will rise along Kalayaan Avenue, Makati. Santo went on a blitz to promote their joint venture.
“The Versace world is not just expressed in fashion, but in the full spectrum of art and creativity: accessories, perfumes, mobile phones, watches and everything else you can see and admire today. From our love of beauty comes home furnishings that tell of a genuine lifestyle,” said Santo. “It is a label that embodies the famous characteristics of the ‘Made in Italy’ world with its style, quality and individuality.”
Luxurious interiors
The latest furniture and accessories from Versace Maison were flown in from Italy to decorate the one-bedroom and three-bedroom model units. Luxury was expressed in deep colors and furniture in tufted leather, lacquered wood with metal inserts, chrome and glass finishes. The plates and vases either carried the iconic Medusa and Greek fret keys or baroque prints.
Ten years ago, Versace was the first fashion brand to merge fashion with hotels, resorts and residential interior design projects. The foray into interior design strengthened the brand’s position.
Among its landmark works are Versace Palace in Gold Coast, Australia, Plaza Hotel in New York, and luxury residential projects such as Damac Tower in Beirut, Jeddah Residences in Saudi Arabia, and Palazzo Versace in Dubai.
For the Milano Residences, Versace will also furnish the amenities and public spaces—the hallways, lounge, swimming pool, library, pool garden and spa.
Says the Versace spokesperson, “The essence and uniqueness of Versace Home style is to combine the appeal of precious materials with beautiful and decorative innovations. It expresses Versace’s highest standard for elegance and the quality is, of course, excellent, due to the attention toward detail and superb craftsmanship.
“Most of the ideas of the Versace Maison collection take inspiration from fashion. For Milano Residences, the design concept echoes the latest ready-to-wear collections. The iconic Versace Greek key motif, reinterpreted in a glamorous and contemporary style by Donatella Versace, becomes the overall signature for the interiors, such as in the lobby, wellness area, and even in the pool lounge.”
In the future, Versace plans to continue high-end residential projects in key locations worldwide, in partnership with prime real estate developers.
Committed to improving the urbanite’s quality of life, Filinvest created The Linear, a masterplanned residential and commercial hub which consists of two L-shaped towers, each 24 stories high. It lines up all the things that city dwellers need – dynamic lifestyles, proximity to the prime destinations, and great investment value.
The Linear is ideal for start-up families, young professionals working in the Makati CBD, and even for OFWs looking for a good investment.
The groundbreaking ceremony was held recently to mark the official start of construction. Special discounts and freebies were given to customers who wanted to experience the Linear’s lifestyle.
Market response to the new project has been strong since its launch, prompting Filinvest to launch Tower 2 more than a year in advance. To date, customer reservations have reached 83 percent for Tower 1 and 24 percent for Tower 2.
The Linear is a joint venture development of Filinvest and Felipe Yupangco and Sons, Inc.
Bounded by Mayapis, Malugay, and Yakal Streets in Makati, the new project enjoys a location that’s within paces away from where all the action happens. Workplaces at the Makati Central Business District and schools are minutes away.
Meanwhile, leisure and recreation do not have to take a backseat, as the city’s prime malls are nearby. It is minutes away from Makati Medical Center and Ospital ng Makati.
As if being close to all these prime destinations isn’t enough, the new residential tower brings everyday needs right at one’s doorstep. Service and specialty shops – such as water refilling stations, laundry shops, 24-hour convenience stores, coffee shops, and restaurants – are available at the ground level.
But what makes The Linear unique is the premium it puts on en¬vironmental responsibility. Installed atop the multipurpose covered court is an eco-roof system that minimizes UV and temperature impact, cuts energy consumption, and improves air quality by filtering pollutants.
Each of the studios, one- and two-bedroom units are built without beams and columns to maximize use of every square inch.
