Homes not Condos (Metro Society Magazine, October 2009 Issue)

“What I want is to provide people with a nearby, readily-accessible property built beyond acceptable standards and designed as if I would live there myself,” he shares. He is wary of condominium living, which he calls “a tiny box”, and likens it to living in a shoebox because you have to many neighbors. He believes that people need space and that when they open the door in their home, it shouldn’t open into a hallway but bring in fresh air. He sees that people are moving into condominiums because there aren’t that many options for city-dwellers left. However, one of the things that make condo living so unattractive is that you can do little with the small space that you have. Everything is set and you can’t really make your home reflect your identity.

So all of this and more are addressed in his latest project, The Mahogany Place III, located in Taguig, accessible by C5, and but a few minutes away from The Fort, Makati and other parts of the metro. Relatively far away from the rest of the city, it offers peace and quiet yet is still near enough to the central business district that you are not cut off from the rest of Manila. There are several developments such as the Sofia, the Helena, and the Ariana- all tailor-made for specific types of people and families.

To stand against the comparisons of condominiums, Mahogany Place III offers tight 24-hour security and world-class amenities that rival that of many high-rises. And while the facilities such as the gym, the spa, mini-theater, and the clubhouse are massive, it only caters to a low-density community. The project was designed to accommodate roughly 300 families, smaller than most condominium projects but over a large area.

“What’s unique about the houses in Mahogany Place III is that the houses can be customized with the lifestyle of the owner in mind while it is being built,” explains Victor. “They can have bigger balconies, more rooms, or a pool- whatever they want as long as they do not change the outside design of the house. The interior of the house is their blank palette where they are free to design it however it fits their lifestyle. Of course, we have our recommendations for the interiors but we are more than happy to oblige to their requests.” This also answers many of his complaints about the condo living as most people have to contend with small rooms and an already pre-determined lay-out. The homes in Mahogany Place III have high ceilings, large doors and premium finishes and it can come fully finished. What’s more is that it comes with a warranty. ”If something’s broke, we fix it for you,” he says. “We do this because it seems to be lacking in many other developments. Their model units look nice but in actuality, it’s not necessarily what you get. Our model units are actually units that have been sold.”

The Sofia addresses the problems of townhouses by providing a lot of space and a unique design that can give its owners a roof deck garden or an additional bedroom. It compares well in terms of prices and is ideal for young couples or very small families.

The Ariana, on the other hand, is designed for the social family. It was designed with minimal walls and plenty of glass. “It’s really a social house,” explains Victor. “The Ariana also comes with 3 rooms that can be expanded or added depending on the buyer’s wish. It also comes with carports for three cars.” The Ariana can comfortably accommodate a family and is centered on family living.

The Helena is also for families but scaled down for affordability. “It’s ideal for people who want a split-level living or also for elderly couples,” narrates Victor. “What’s great about the Helena is that is has an open-plan design that maximizes the space.”

The Mahogany Place III addresses Victor’s problems with city living these days as the move is towards condominiums where homeowners lose an essential part of what a home should be. He envisions families customizing their homes to their exact specifications and making it something they can pass on to the next generation. He even went so far as to ensure that the design was done in the modern setting so as to not “date” the design. He finds that themed designs, like the Mediterranean aesthetic, tends to get out-dated quickly. This way, using a modern design, it never foes out of style.

And he finishes, “We wanted to build houses that are affordable and customizable. It’s not a totally new concept. We want our clients to get the house exactly as they want it.”

Working mom Joanne Quintas wants her family to live in someplace spacious and clean very much unlike a condominium in the heart of the city.

As a young family, space is everything. Without the freedom of space, everyone will get in each other’s way and there will be no difference between private time and family time. This becomes problematic for new families with young children. While a condominium provides security and amenities that the kids can enjoy, the problem is they are never big enough for the whole family. Room sizes are traded for more rooms and the kitchens are smaller, bedrooms are smaller. It’s a big sacrifice to make.

Working Mom October 2009 Issue

So Joanne Quintas, actress, make-up artist and mom, prefers to stay away from condominiums. “The fact that I have kids means that I shouldn’t live in a condo,” she says. “Otherwise it’s like living in a hotel for them. Being in an actual house is always a different feeling and a place like Helena is a great starter home for a family like mine.”

Helena is one of the developments in Mahogany Place III in Taguig and yet it has all the facilities that make condominium living so attractive but with the space of a real house. “My kids can feel part of a community,” Joanne shares. “And they can avail of the great amenities like the pool, park, and playground area.” It has 24-hour security service as well which means all day and all night protection for your loved ones. And since it’s not a condominium, it has high ceilings and a whole lot of space for everyone.

In fact, it is customizable and that makes it even more appealing for Joanne. “This way I can make it kid-friendly and make big bathrooms,” she exclaims. “I also like the kitchen area. Since I’m an HRM graduate, I love to cook which means I always want a big and nice kitchen. This way I can cook for and with my kids.” To add, Helena has oversized doors, 3 bedrooms, an open floor lay-out, and high-end finishes. It’s got 2 car parking docks and generous balconies. It’s a real home!

And it’s a home that’s not in the middle of the city with all the pollution and the noise. “Since I have kids, it’s important that we are away from the congestion and pollution,” says Joanne. Mahogany Place III is accessible from c5 and is only a few minutes from The Fort and Makati and is nearby all access routes to the rest of the city. And what are the advantages of this? Joanne quickly answers, “With Mahogany Place III, it is within the city proper and not in the heart of the city. The place is roomy and so quiet that she has the feeling that she’s outside Manila. But in fact, The Fort and Makati are really nearby. It has a really fresh and clean feeling”

Joanne sometimes finds herself coming home from a shoot or a taping very, very early in the morning. Sometimes, she comes home at 6am and just as she is about to sleep, the rest of the city wakes up. The noise of car horns makes sleeping very difficult for her. But she won’t hear any of those noises in Helena. For her family, Helena in Mahogany Place III is the perfect choice.

Condominiums offer so much but lack in what makes a home a home- space with which to do your favorite things with your family. Helena is the kind of house that families can grow in, and can be themselves in. It’s fully customized to suit your needs and is ready for occupancy.

“It is great value for money, especially since you get a lot and a house, all brand new and ready to move in,” explains Joanne. “And because you can customize it, this means this is a home that you have created that you and your family will really love and really use  based on the way you live and what you like”

Take it from this busy working mom’s happy smile.

One of the most exclusive subdivision developments spread across a vast 8 hectares of land, Mahogany Place III offers security in the best and the widest sense of the word.

As an accessible green enclave, Mahogany Place III offers distinct peace of mind to homeowners. Its prime location is minutes away from key urban points such as Fort Bonifacio Global City, Makati, SLEX and Ortigas. Designed after the comforts and benefits of a country club, it has the most complete rest and recreational amenities while round the clock first-rate assistance and security assure safety within the area. And finally, its wide gardens and tree-shaded parks offers not only the best recreation sites but also the assurance of an eco-friendly land that will not easily succumb to natural disasters.

Truly a prime community, Mahogany Place III delivers its promise to keep families safe and sound within beautiful homes.

What Filipino family doesn’t yearn to buy the house of their dreams? Whether you work here or abroad or run your own business, having your own house is one of the priorities a family places an emphasis on.

It’s not surprising that Filipinos place a premium on owning their own house and lot. DMCI Homes Project Development Manager Patty Porto says “many people resist going into condominiums because there is no actual land title attached to their ownership of a unit. Very traditional Filipino families still believe in owning titled land because they intend to bequeath it to their children in the future.”

Since there’s not a lot of land available in Metro Manila for subdivision developments, many developers are now going up to provide families the homes they need. And while there are still those who resist the idea of going into condominiums, many families opt to buy units in high-rises because they prove to be practical in the long run.

DMCI Homes is now building Mahogany Place 3, a subdivision development in its Township Central in Taguig City that offers discriminating families the house and lot units they are looking for.

“Mahogany Place 3 is the newest subdivision nearest Bonifacio Global City and Makati,” says DMCI Homes’ Business Development Director Rey C. Salazar. “It will also probably be our last subdivision development in the area because the cost of such a development is quite prohibitive. For that reason, Mahogany Place 3 is really an exclusive development.”

Successful business executives will surely find the home of their dreams at Mahogany Place 3. Upwardly mobile and with a level of refined taste, they know what they want. They value their time with their family, and look for security, comfort and convenience. They travel a lot, both here and abroad, either for business or leisure.

Porto says, “They expect a lot from the residences they live in, but they do not have the time to personally design their own home. The free time that they have they’d rather spend with their families.”

Salazar adds that many of these businessmen are on the lookout for properties that they could bequeath their children. “Some of our customers have acquired properties for their children as a wedding gift or to help them start their own families,” he says. “Maybe, there are no more lots available in the subdivision they live in. Rather than buy a condominium in Makati, for the same price they can already get a house and lot at Mahogany Place 3.”

Since they are most probably members of respected business organizations, as well as exclusive organizations such as golf clubs, DMCI Homes has deemed fit to provide Mahogany Place 3 with country-club amenities that are not available in other residential developments.

Apart from successful business executives, Mahogany Place 3 is also an excellent community for balikbayans and professionals working abroad. In buying a home at Mahogany Place 3, they are able to provide their loved ones a home in a secured environment with the comforts and conveniences found only at Mahogany Place 3.

Mahogany Place 3 is a low density, Asian-themed residential enclave situated within DMCI Homes’ Township Central in progressive Taguig City. It offers a quality pedestrian environment and landscaped community spaces for affluent families with sophisticated taste in search of a home environment with themed gardens. The eco-friendly residential subdivision also offers concierge service, a plus that marks it as an exclusive community.

Mahogany Place 3’s location in Taguig puts its residents just a few minutes away from the Makati and Ortigas business districts, as well as major commercial centers, schools and medical facilities in the area. With its Asian contemporary designed houses, owners are assured of homes that are suited for tropical weather that will not date over the years.

Only a limited number of house and lots are available within the property’s eight-hectare expanse. This assures buyers of a low-density community with 24-hour security, a gated entrance and electrified perimeter fence. Its design of tree-lined avenues make walks around Mahogany Place 3 possible, while pocket gardens and public spaces bring nature close to you.

A central area houses the Grand Clubhouse with country club-like amenities including a mini-theater, sauna, dance room and fitness gym, lounge areas and both adult and kiddie pools. The Grand Clubhouse will also have service facilities such as laundry pickup and water refilling stations and a mini-mart.

There are four unit types available for Mahogany Place III: Tamara, a 120-square meter, three-storey duplex unit; Bela, a 240-square meter, two-storey single-detached unit; Helena, a 120-square meter, three-storey duplex unit; and Ariana, a 240-square meter, three-storey single-detached unit. Tamara and Bela offer fixed designs, while homeowners have the option to customize the Helena and Ariana units to suit their needs.

Both the Tamara and Bela units have large windows and door openings, landscaped frontage, wide hallways on the upper floors, and dining rooms that extend to a garden. However, in the Bela unit, the upper hallway can be transformed into a study area, and the master’s bedroom has a separate balcony area.

There is also extra bedroom for guests at the Bela unit located at the ground floor. Lolo and lola no longer need to climb upstairs to sleep at the end of the day. The kitchen also has a center island, a feature unique to this unit, that doubles as a preparation area and cocktail bar giving homeowners more room for flexibility when entertaining guests.

In the Helena and Ariana units, homeowners can easily access the outdoors from almost any part of the house through sliding doors. The large frameless glass windows add not just a sense of openness but also provide excellent cross ventilation and natural lighting inside. Adding further to this sense of openness and space are the double height ceiling in the living areas and high ceilings throughout the house. Decks and balconies are spacious and can be used as entertainment areas. Options for upgrades offer further design possibilities in Ariana and Helena, among them the conversion of the lanai area into a plunge pool, bedrooms into a family room (or vice versa), and the installation of a bathtub in the master’s T&B.