The Parisian life in South Forbes

MANILA, Philippines – In some parts of Paris, mostly in the 16th but also in the 19th arrondissements, you can find individual houses with gardens, sometimes built in the 19th century for the working class and now passionately looked for by Parisians, if they can afford them.

Having something like that is not too far a dream in the Philippines. South Forbes Golf City, the country’s largest fully-integrated and all-themed golf resort city at the forefront of the Metro Sta. Rosa - Tagaytay corridor, recipient of the Best Golf Community Development by the 2007 CNBC International Property Awards, the world’s most prestigious property awards programme, and, recently, the Highly Commended Award for Best Development by the 2010 Bloomberg Asia-Pacific Residential Award, invites everyone to live the total Parisian experience while remaining Filipino at heart in Châteaux de Paris.

Le Couer. Châteaux de Paris’ original trio presented a taste of three French design styles in three different homes: the classical Chambord which reminisces on old world charm that is characteristic of many of our parents’ and grandparents’ homes but updated to meet the modern lifestyle, the contemporary Chantilly which is more to the palate of many, and the moderne Fontainebleau, reflective of a more sophisticated and urbane lifestyle – each with its unique layout to match the varying preferences of different people.

Soon to adorn Châteaux de Paris’ cobblestoned streets are its latest additions to the royal family: Bordeaux, Clermont, and Lafayette. With the concept of the enclave revolving around the splendor of French gardens like that of the French capital, there will be more garden space in each of these new homes.

Grand Palais. At the end of the enclave’s well-lit tree-lined main avenue reminiscent of Champs Elysée in the French capital lies the stately Grand Clubhouse. It features an elaborate garden and a swimming pool connected to reflecting pools surrounding the clubhouse like a moat.

Here, South Forbes elite will live out the catch phrase, “champagne wishes and caviar dreams.”The main lobby can, in fact, host an intimate piano recital beneath the grand staircase.

In Plein Air. Do as the impressionists do – capture the life outdoors. And South Forbes boasts of its great outdoors within and beyond the Châteaux de Paris enclave. Aside from the private residential gardens, six main parks and gardens dot the landscape of the enclave, each themed like those of the French capital. Located at the center of the whole development, where the two major avenues intersect, is the goose-foot, or the focal point. Within the Grand Garden is the clock tower that serves as the identifying mark for the community.

The perfect park for sociable residents must be The Green Hall, dotted with informal groupings of trees and unobstructed open lawns that serve as multi-purpose spaces for gatherings, recreation, and play. French outdoor theatres were common in gardens during the 18th century which serves as the theme for The Theatre. At the center is a dais or elevated platform with a fountain and feature wall from which radial paving patterns originate, forming a fan-shaped plaza.

The French Pavilion is a classic park with a domed pavilion as the centerpiece. All around are seat walls and benches where residents can read a book under the shade of a tree or perhaps doze off on a lazy afternoon. At Châteaux de Paris, L’Orangerie will be an orchard of our native dayap. Arranged in a geometric grid, the orchard not only serves as a source of citrus fruits but also provides a rustic, rural agricultural setting for residents and visitors.

But the largest of all South Forbes gardens is its world-class 18-hole golf course where every player is brought to awe with the amazing spots unique to every hole in the course. Nothing is as breathtaking as witnessing a glorious sunrise or mellow sunset from the high vantage points of the course. At certain times of the day, the lulling melodies of the forest birds bring a calming sensation to ease tension during a tight game. As membership to the South Forbes Golf and Leisure Club comes free with every lot or condominium unit purchase, spending time at the golf course can be a daily routine.

Move in right here, right now. Call 635-7777 or 631-8855 for a free city tour or log on to www.southforbes.com for more information.