Working, playing, shopping, and dining out where you live

It’s probably most city residents’ fantasy:
Working, playing, shopping, and eating out right next door to where one lives. You don’t even have to drive to go to the mall, the supermarket, the bookstore, the drugstore, the church, the park, the cinema, the museum, the spa, the gym, your favorite restaurant/bar/cafe, your French cooking class and, yes, even good old Mr. Quickie for your assorted shoe woes. Everything is a mere strolling distance away. No need to battle monstrous traffic jams that can drive you crazy.

This is just an illusion, a figment of one’s imagination going into overdrive, right? Wrong! Truth is, this fantasy has a name and the chicest address you can ever imagine: The Residences at Greenbelt, Makati.

"This is the only condominium development where residents can legitimately claim that their address is Greenbelt," declares Daphne Odra, project manager of The Residences at Greenbelt.

It’s an idea waiting to happen. First, there was the Greenbelt Townhomes at Greenbelt 2 with its furnished units for lease. "From there, we were able to determine a niche market demand for a residential development in the heart of the commercial center," says Daphne.

Then there’s another one: One Legazpi Park, another condo project by Ayala Land, known for its unmatched track record in creating only the most reputable and valued condominium developments and communities in the country. The units sold like the proverbial hotcakes. "It confirmed even more that there’s a demand for that," Daphne asserts. "So, we were looking for a place that’s much nearer to the Greenbelt Lifestyle Center. After some negotiations with management, we were able to convince the latter to finally sell an Ayala Center property. If you remember the Anson Arcade and Coronado Lanes, that’s the location of this Ayala Land Premier (ALP) property. In the company’s perspective, these are really sacred properties. Before, we never looked at actually selling it, converting it to houses or condominiums. But we saw the demand and convinced management to sell."

Planning started in 2002 and the building of the first of three towers began a year after. A formidable team of seasoned architects and engineers was brought in. Says Daphne, "GF & Partners was the same group that did One Legazpi Park. We make sure that the consultants we tie up with already understand what an Ayala Land Premier project would be like because of our long history of being partners."

Daphne elaborates, "What we wanted was to come up with a residential development that would complement the lifestyle of Greenbelt. For example, in our design, we chose colors that can be integrated to the entire theme of Greenbelt and even in our amenities at the fifth floor (more on this a bit later). There are a lot of greens and mirrors. At the ground floor, we have the commercial area, which will be managed by the Ayala Malls group as well. We want to make sure it’s in line with whatever Greenbelt is already offering right now."

Daphne can’t stress enough, "At Ayala Land Premier, we want to raise the bar for the definition of what a residence should be – not only providing you with a home but providing you with everything you need."

Soon, the three towers of The Residences at Greenbelt will gracefully dot Makati’s elite skyline. "Made mostly of glass, they command attention," Daphne describes. "It was feng shuied by geomancers Charlie Chao and Joseph Chau – two smaller towers flank the tallest tower to maintain the balance of the three towers."

The first, the Laguna Tower, has 48 floors. With its turnover still barely two years away or in early 2008, its 249 units are already sold out. Launched last year was the second tower, San Lorenzo, with its 383 units, of which 80 percent has been sold. "The towers are named in relation to the orientation of the building, like Laguna Tower looks out into Laguna de Bay while San Lorenzo faces San Lorenzo Village."

And now comes Manila Tower, the third – and final – installment in this three-tower, one-of-a-kind, residential development that’s a sigh away from the heartland that is the Makati Central Business District.

"To finish by first quarter of 2011, the Manila Tower completes the promise of The Residences at Greenbelt, the last chance and final call for the market to buy into an Ayala Center residential property," Daphne says with a hint of urgency.

Because of the growing demand of the market, the third tower was launched only a year after the second tower. "And it’s been selling very well," notes Daphne.

From floor to ceiling, the Manila Tower is all of concrete and glass with a lot of class. A condo with lots of panoramic views, the balconies give residents a glimpse of outdoor living from up there.

Up there, the living is easy and stylish. At the Manila Tower, a typical floor consists of 10 spacious units, with floor areas ranging from 55 to 213 square meters and a choice of four breathtaking views: the Makati skyline, Laguna greenery, San Lorenzo Village or the Manila Bay. Even enjoy two views if you pick the special units.

Enjoy life at the top in the one-bedroom executive unit (approximately 55-57 sq,m.), which has ample living and dining rooms, a fully-equipped kitchen, and a master’s bedroom complete with a walk-in closet, toilet and bath.

And what’s so special about the special one-bedroom unit? Well, this special unit (approx. 70-83 sq.m.) makes effective and creative use of space with its cleverly laid-out living and dining room, a kitchen that’s linked to the utility area, and a master’s bedroom with a walk-in closet that’s adjacent to the toilet and bath.

Manila Tower lets you live it up via its one-bedroom loft unit (approx. 94 sqm). With its open design, it’s the place to kick up your heels and unwind after a stressful day at work. Or you can whip up something in the kitchen and invite friends over to try your version of "Naked Chef" Jamie Oliver’s roasted sweet garlic soup and shrimp and pea risotto with basil and mint. And at the end of the day’s rat race, you retire to your private sanctuary upstairs where a warm, comfy bed awaits in the spacious master’s bedroom with its own walk-in closet, toilet and bath.

If it’s space you want, it’s space – lots of it – you’re gonna get in the special two-bedroom flat (approx. 127-145 sq.m.). Aside from the master’s bedroom with, yes, a walk-in closet, the unit boasts a spare bedroom, a powder room for guests, ample study room, and a maid’s utility room with its own toilet and bathroom.

If you think that’s big, you should see the three-bedroom unit (approx. 165 sq,m.). Designed to give families both the luxury of space and the privacy (to enjoy their space), the unit is divided into common areas and private areas. Let’s take a look at the common areas: powder room, living room, dining room, and kitchen. The living area extends to the balcony, where you can enjoy an unobstructed view of the Makati skyline and the Laguna greenery. On the other side are the private areas, which include a master’s bedroom with bath and two spare bedrooms, each with its own full toilet and bathroom.

And if you think it’s lonely at the top, think again. The exclusive penthouse unit (approx. 196-213 sq.m.) offers the ultimate high in high living. Watch the sun rise and a city wake up from your living room or master’s bedroom balcony. And at night, you can entertain friends in your humongous dining room or enjoy quiet evenings with your loved ones. Not to worry because there’s more than enough space for a growing family or even guests. The master’s bedroom is quite big and then there are two smaller bedrooms. Plus if you have live-in help, they have their own private corner with a maid’s-cum-utility room just off the kitchen.

There’s a lot more to see and enjoy at The Fifth, a sprawling 5,000-square-meter podium with full-scale amenities for the exclusive use of the residents of the three towers. Imagine these facilities: grand social hall, fully-equipped gym and fitness center, luxury spa, mini-theater, multi-purpose lawn, adult lap pool, kiddie pool, game room (located at San Lorenzo Tower), children’s playground, indoor play area (located at San Lorenzo Tower), rock and water feature, Zen-inspired meditation garden, the 50th Sky (located at the 50th floor roofdeck of the Manila Tower), auxiliary gyms (located at Manila and San Lorenzo Towers).

"Yes, we’ve allocated ample parking slots," goes Daphne’s quick reply to an oft-asked question. "There’s guest parking, too, with an exclusive ramp for outsiders."

As for the insiders or residents, they can feel secure and sleep tight at night knowing that only the most advanced security features are in place at The Residences at Greenbelt. "There are alarms, cameras in important areas of the place, an audio/video annunciator in the rooms to announce guests," says Daphne. "Moreover, residents have a proximity key that ensures that they’re the only ones who have access to the building. If you don’t have that, even the elevator won’t work."

Who says you can’t live and work in the same place and do many other things besides? Only trouble is, with all these enticing, relaxing features, you may no longer want to go to work at all.