Pod living with a Brit atmosphere

MANILA, Philippines - London’s got buzz. Not only is the Brit capital set to host the Olympics next year, it’s also the inspiration for the soon-to-rise residential development in Makati. “If you have recently passed by Makati Avenue or Kalayaan Avenue, you would surely see that Knightsbridge has begun its skyward ascent, redefining the Makati skyline as one of the country’s tallest buildings,” says Marco Antonio, Century Properties managing director and Knightsbridge Residences property head. “We are now about 40 storeys out of a total of 63 into construction.”

Launched in 2008, the London-inspired condo is part of Century’s map of sophisticated capitals, which are the basis for their group of developments in the central business district.

Marco Antonio, managing director of Century Properties and project head of The Knightsbridge Residences, at the launch of the recent campaign at Opus

“Knightsbridge is part of a bigger masterplanned development called Century City, which is envisioned to ‘showcase the best of the world in one place,’” Antonio elaborates. “This being the case we opted to name the projects within Century City after world-class and highly cosmopolitan cities. The first residential building rising at Century City is the New York-inspired Gramercy Residences. For the second residential tower, we opted to draw inspiration from London, one of the most modern, fashion-forward cities that have successfully kept its heritage and old-world charm. We named the project Knightsbridge Residences after London’s most prestigious district, where the world’s richest people reside and where property prices are among the highest in the world.”

London’s Calling Card

A cool Britannia is the modern property’s muse. The development makes use of the hip locale’s oversize personality by infusing it with the capital’s trendy spirit.

London-infused aesthetics is at the core of the development, with modern furniture mixed with pop-inspired pieces.

Each pod, that’s Century’s code for unit, is designed to maximize space and comes totally designed. “The pod addresses the urban dweller’s need for a stylish and smart living space,” notes Antonio. “They’re fully-fitted, fully-furnished units with five exceptional design themes. Plush interiors make each intelligently-configured pod at the Knightsbridge Residences an object of desire. Choose from any of the five sensational interior design themes to truly tailor-fit your home to your personality.”

Even the building’s architecture echoes the Brit hotspot’s high rise-filled landscape. “Beyond The Knightsbridge Residences’ historic rise as one of the country’s tallest man-made structures is a distinctive curvilinear design that is both iconic and breathtaking,” he says. “In true British tradition, the tower presides over the cityscape in full glory, magnificently sculpted in a sleek and sexy modern aesthetic that is set to redefine the curve in our ever-evolving urban landscape.”

Located within Century City, a master-planned vertical village of high-rises, corporate towers, medical-IT building and the Century City Lifestyle complex, a soon-to-rise commercial center.

Century is also introducing the lantern concept: “eight levels of units with dramatic floor-to-ceiling windows that create iconic, sparkling glass boxes.”

“The future residents of Knightsbridge are modern, fashionable and well-travelled urban citizens,” Antonio notes. “For them, we have carefully planned the project to provide a prestigious address that is convenient, life-enhancing and, like its namesake, is soaring in real estate value.”

Going, Going, Gone

To date, Knightsbridge is considered a big success, as there are only 45 units left for sale. Century has found its key demographic — according to Antonio, most purchasers are in their thirties but a significant number of future residents are in their mid-twenties as well — for the property in upwardly mobile buyers based or working abroad.

At the launch to celebrate the Century’s big advertising launch for Knightsbridge, Antonio was happy about the project’s overwhelming success. “This is actually our celebration for the success of Knightsbridge both on the aspects of its brisk sales and on-schedule construction,” he says. “This year is also a big one for us as Century Properties marks its 25th year in the real estate industry.”