The promise of space

MANILA, Philippines - There are those who enjoy the dynamism of the asphalt jungle and there are those who prefer taking things slow in a suburb. Meanwhile, there are those of us who wish to live in both worlds — run the business, shop, and attend the biggest events in the metropolis; and afterwards come home to the family, entertain friends over the weekend, and then spend some alone time for reflection in a calm commune.

This desire to harmonize what’s modern and traditional is something that Philippine Realty & Holdings Corporation (PhilRealty) understands. Such lifestyle is what the real estate developer aims to create in Sky Villas at One Balete in New Manila, Quezon City.

The New Manila charm

When World War II ended, New Manila began to flourish and soon became a coveted address to discerning clans who sought peace and quiet at the time. With the help of the country’s best architects, they built their sanctuaries here. Families flocked and settled at the exclusive neighborhood lined with giant trees and palatial homes.

Later on, however, heirs of the clans found their own success in the different business districts of Metro Manila, and consequently moved to where the work was.

But now, old families and even the younger generation want to reclaim their personal space and take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city without completely leaving it.

New Manila is still here to welcome them, and through PhilRealty’s Sky Villas at One Balete, they can go back to what they loved about the community while benefiting from the high-rise living that urbanized cities are celebrated for.

One Balete

“We wanted to build in New Manila, because we wanted to revive the heritage and legacy of New Manila, which is about spacious living in a very intimate and exclusive community,” explains PhilRealty CEO, Andrew Alcid.

New Manila proves to be an ideal location with its accessibility to central business districts and leisure spots like Ortigas, Tomas Morato, and Greenhills. “New Manila is like living in an enclave within an urban setting. Yes you feel that you’re in the city, but you’re really not in a city, because it’s not as crowded,” he continues.

Sky Villas is the second of six towers in One Balete, a two-hectare property right at the corner of Balete Drive and N. Domingo Street developed by PhilRealty and designed by architect Roger Villarosa, who headed the firm behind The Tektite Towers, The Alexandra, La Isla, and EDSA Shangri-La Hotel.

With One Balete, PhilRealty reinvents the family compound. “We will target the three generations of a family: the older, current, and younger generations,” mentions Alcid. Towers One and Two — Sky Line and Sky Villas, respectively — are especially designed for the current generation with established families. They share a clubhouse with amenities such as a swimming pool, a spa, a playground, a gym, meeting rooms, a library, and function rooms.

The lower levels of Towers Three and Four are designed for the active senior members of the family with special provisions for their changing needs: larger hallways, nurse’s room, ramps, and a clinic. Its upper levels will be for the younger generation, which means it will have big one- bedroom units with entertainment balconies. The two towers will likewise share a common clubhouse. “We target the various generations within the same family, so each one can create the heritage for the next,” says Alcid.

Space matters

PhilRealty believes that in the condominiums that mushroomed over the years, space has been greatly compromised. “When I was looking for condos to actually buy and live in, the space was not well thought-out; there’s a lot of wasted space,” shares Alcid.

Spacious living in intimate communities has always been the driving philosophy of PhilRealty. This mantra is reflected in Sky Villas at One Balete where both the body and mind have all the space it needs to function best. The property has a 3.1 floor-to-ceiling height with the smallest floor area at 205 square meters. Walking into an as-delivered unit is like entering one of the finest homes in an affluent subdivision. It has a distinct living room, dining area and kitchen, and three bedrooms that come with a full- sized Canadian cabinetry with Blum hinges, each with its own bathroom with fixtures by Grohe and Kohler.

True to its name, one can take a lovely view of the skies and breathe fresh air in one of the three

balconies of a Sky Villas unit — very far from the typical condo where the highest floors can only afford a view of the next building.

Adding to the promise of exclusivity, there are only four units in each

floor. The unit comes with fully-

fitted appliances, glass shower enclosures, water heaters, and six air conditioners. Included in the package as well are two parking spaces and a

P2-million fire insurance and P1-million personal accident

insurance for the first year. Sky Villas truly speak to the discerning men and women who look for and appreciate the benefits

of space, yearn for serenity and, at the same time, take pleasure in modern living. It’s

a seamless marriage of new and old, urban and natural, openness and intimacy.

To know more about PhilRealty and Sky Villas at One Balete, visit www.philrealty.com.ph and www. skyvillas.com.ph; contact 416-8686 or 0917-462-1222; or visit the showroom: Sky Villas at One Balete, 1 Balete cor. N. Domingo Street, New Manila, Quezon City.