by Art Net


by The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines – Century Properties Group Inc. managing director Robbie Antonio spoke before the well-attended “Forbes Asia Forum: The Next Tycoons – A Generation Emerges” on June 11 at the Four Seasons Hotel in Hong Kong.
Antonio participated as a speaker at the forum and joined the panel, ‘Making your mark’. The panel focused on how next generation tycoons traditionally take the reins of their family companies by being responsible stewards of their past generation’s accomplishments. Yet their success is oftentimes measured by their bold and ingenuous strategies to launch into new directions and expand their family businesses through fresh avenues of growth.
As Century’s head for brand collaborations, Antonio conceived and orchestrated the company’s real estate project tie-ups with global brands including Donald Trump, Armani, yoo inspired by Starck (of John Hitchcox and Philippe Starck), Paris Hilton, Missoni, Daniel Libeskind, Versace, Armani Casa and Forbes Media.
At the forum where Antonio was the lone Filipino speaker among Asia’s top new-generation business leaders, the young entrepreneur addressed questions such as how these leaders can apply the lessons learned from the old guard, develop their own passions and execute their own visions. On the panel, Antonio shared his experiences in growing the company that was founded by his father, Century Properties chairman Jose E.B. Antonio.
Robbie Antonio said that he started getting involved in the family business as early as 12 years old.
“Dinner conversations were about the family business. I was led to construction sites by my father with my three other siblings, who are also very much involved (now) in executing the vision that my father has,” he shared at the forum.
Antonio had his “baptism of fire” when he worked in the highly-competitive real estate business in New York. There, under the Antonio Development, he worked on acquiring an assemblage of property to develop the Centurion, a luxury apartment building on 56th Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues.
“New York City is probably the most complex real estate market in the world. We saw a site that we liked in the Plaza district, which was a sought after piece of land. Proving to the seller that it is a financeable deal and trying to outperform these very well entrenched developers was a challenging task,” he said.
Antonio knew he had to differentiate with other major towers even amongst the best location. He secured I.M. Pei, with Pei Partnership Architects, to design the Centurion. Pei’s first ground up condominium project in the world was completed in 2009.
He added, “I had to very entrepreneurial, learn the ropes of a new culture, meet the players, and compete against them.”
“The reason I did that (founding a development company in New York) was two-fold: I wanted to stay in the development business because that’s what I knew. I also wanted to do something entrepreneurial and really prove to myself that I could do this and try to have my own ideas; inject my own creativity,” he added.
The US financial crisis hit during this time. Antonio said he knew right then, that it was a good time to go back to Manila.
He told the forum audience: “The Philippines is the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia. So I wanted to go back home and lead a professional management team and help my siblings and my father, and try to create an impact in the country.”
Exploring fresh avenues
Partnering with respected names in the real estate, architecture, and design fields is a strategy that the third Antonio scion and Century pursued to gain product differentiation from other established real estate companies. He believes that partnering with the experts will elevate living experiences for Century’s residential projects, and at the same time highlight the ability of Filipinos to execute global ambitions.
“Five years ago, I went to the board and earmarked our major differentiating points, predominantly to bring some important brands to development,” he shared. “I wanted to give that lifestyle that these luxury companies embody and that the end users are eager to have, and bring the West to the Far East.”
He used his connections in the fashion, luxury, design and real estate world to do just that. One of the earlier partnerships that Century announced in 2010 was with Versace Home, for the amenity interior design of Milano Residences. The following year, Antonio got the nod of style icon and entrepreneur Paris Hilton to design the Paris Beach Club, the key amenity of Azure Urban Resort Residences.
More major brands followed. Century signed a licensing deal with the Trump organization for the residential building Trump Tower at Century City. In previous interviews the young Antonio related that he first met with Ivanka Trump, and worked for two years through site validation visits in Manila and business plan discussions before he finally closed the deal with Don Jr., Eric and Donald Trump.
Interior design partnerships were also forged with MissoniHome for Acqua Livingstone Residences, and with the iconic French designer Philippe Starck and British real estate entrepreneur John Hitchcox of yoo inspired by Starck for the Acqua Iguazu residences.
Century’s more recent collaborations are with Armani/Casa and the renowned architect Daniel Libeskind for the 60-storey residential-office building Century Spire; and with Forbes Media LLC, with which Robbie proposed the idea to build the first Forbes-branded building in the world—in Manila. Hence, the Forbes Media Tower at Century City, Makati was announced in late 2013.
Respecting the old guard
While Robbie underlined the importance of introducing new ideas in the forum, he likewise stressed the value of respecting the legacy and wisdom of his father, who started Century Properties in 1986 with just a handful of employees.
“I wake up every day reminding myself that I did not start this company, so I am very respectful of that… I am an employee. But I also want to innovate. I want to pioneer. I want game-changing ideas,” he said.
Antonio believes that it helps to have a very strong family support system.
“We see each other every day. Their presence and mentorship (are) there,” he said, referring to his father and three brothers who also hold key positions in the company.
Antonio believes that acknowledging the wisdom of one’s elders is vital in being in the family business.
“I think no matter how smart you think you are, there is one thing that you can’t expedite—and that is wisdom. So when you are not sure, go ask someone. This could be your father, a mentor or someone who has gone through that experience before. I inherited a company that has gone through four cycles. We have seen the booms and busts. You learn from those scars. If you are bruised, that is how you become a better person and a better manager. Thankfully, we learned a lot from that, and those experiences can be bestowed from one generation to another,” Antonio concluded.
By Aussy A. Aportadera, Tatler Asia
A powerhouse team, made up of the world-renowned architect Daniel Libeskind and the luxury interior design studio Armani/Casa, embark on an ambitious venture with Century Properties.
Visit the showroom at Pacific Star Building
The light of the afternoon sun revealed an unobstructed view of the Makati skyline from the fifth floor of the Century City Mall. The event hall brimmed with anticipation as the ambassador Joey Antonio took to the stage. Launching Century Properties Group, Inc.’s (CPGI) latest project, Antonio shared an invaluable message from the recent World Economic Forum held in Manila: “The Philippines has been identified as the Tiger of Asia.”
“Here we are,” continued the founder of CPGI, “Celebrating the groundbreaking of an iconic building that will be forming the skyline in the Philippines.” The Century Spire will stand in 2018, a functional sculpture from Studio Daniel Libeskind – the architectural maven behind the Jewish Museum in Berlin and Ground Zero in New York, among others. The 60-storey tower takes on a distinct design, blossoming at the top of the building like a flower, crystalising residential and office spaces in geometric shapes. The venture marks the last of eight towers by CPGI in Makati city.
Daniel Libeskind, Giorgio Armani, Robbie Antonio
The architect Daniel Libeskind himself was in Manila to share in this milestone, even expressing his observation of the city as an example of the global competition of growth. “What makes a great city is what I saw today,” he said, “I went to shake hands with young architects from the schools in the Philippines. You could see their bright eyes, their ambition. The fact that the world is opening up to create something more than just buildings.”
A one-bedroom model displaying Armani/Dada kitchen amenities and Armani/Casa furniture and design
The interiors of Century Spire bring the unprecedented collaboration of another renowned firm, Armani/Casa. Under the artistic direction of Giorgio Armani, Century Spire will be the studio’s first project in the Philippines. The common areas like the grand lobby, library, swimming pool, and fitness areas are among the sections of the tower that Armani/Casa will design. The 500 residential units also have upgrade options to integrate furnished luxury amenities such as the Armani/Dada kitchen line and the Armani/Roca bathroom line.
For inquiries, visit the fully-furnished and designed show flats located at 4/F Pacific Star Building, Sen. Gil Puyat cor. Makati Avenue, Makati City. Appointment is required.
by One Kindesign
Some of the world’s most iconic names in architecture and design are turning their attention to the Philippines. Giorgio Armani, the houses of Versace and Missoni, Philippe Starck and John Hitchcox, and Daniel Libeskind are all doing projects in the country.
This is thanks in part to the efforts of Robbie Antonio, managing director and head of international collaborations of Century Properties Group—a real estate firm that is best known for its upscale projects like Essensa East Forbes in Taguig.
Robbie Antonio pursued partnerships with these iconic designers and brands for Century Properties.
The partnerships with Versace Home and MissoniHome have resulted in the two iconic design house’s home brands to interior-design Century’s Milano Residences and Acqua Livingstone, respectively. The outcome has been nothing less than fabulous—with each of the fashion house’s design aesthetics clearly imprinted in the interiors of the buildings.
Yoo inspired by Starck, the company founded by French designer Philippe Starck and British property developer John Hitchcox, meanwhile, is designing the Acqua Iguazu building. The exclusive sky deck, aptly called the Cielo, is something to behold with its Wonder Bar/Library, Dining Area, Movie Room, Pool and Lobby done in signature Starck style: sensually-engaging and intellectually-stimulating.
Last year, Robbie Antonio added another feather to the Century cap by successfully sealing a partnership with no less than two of the biggest names in international design—Giorgio Armani through his home and interior design brand Armani/Casa and award-winning architectural designer Daniel Libeskind.
Giorgio Armani needs no introduction as he has, for decades, been one of the leading names in fashion design and his Armani/Casa extends his classy, sophisticated aesthetic into home and living products. Libeskind, meanwhile, is best known for his one-of-a-kind architectural designs of several museums in Europe and North America and residential and commercial projects in different parts of the globe. He, too, is best known for winning the reconstruction design competition of the World Trade Center in New York.
In bringing these big names to the Philippines, Robbie Antonio and Century Properties are further enhancing the country’s image as the next luxury residential destination in Southeast Asia.