by Zinnia B. Dela Peña , The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines – Upscale real estate developer Century Properties Inc. will put up a P3-billion, 53-story designer residential building within Century City, an integrated community along Kalayaan Avenue in Makati City.

In a statement, Century Properties said it has tapped Versace, one of the world’s leading international fashion houses, to provide exclusive design service for the public spaces of its newest residential project, The Milano Residences.

Founded in Milan in 1978 by Italian clothier Gianni Versace, the company designs, markets and distributes luxury clothing, accessories, fragrances, make-up and home furnishings under the various brands of the Versace Group.

A variety of other projects relating to lifestyle and design also bear the Versace signature: Luxury resorts and hotels, exclusive private residences and refined interior projects.

Slated for completion by 2015, The Milano Residences will make available a total of 340 units with one to three-bedroom configurations. Prime units in various sizes and layouts include The Penthouses, The Townhouses and Italian-inspired units called The Loggias that feature breathtaking private plunge pools – a first in a Makati condo.

“Versace Home, the authority in showing the essential art of luxury living, is now in Manila through the Milano Residences. To have a Versace Home interior designed address presents a rare opportunity, and an immense value to both end users and investors for units are very few and are considered collectible real estate,” said Robbie Antonio, project head of The Milano Residences and managing director of Century Properties.

The building’s architecture is expected to complement Versace Home’s elegant interior design, which will be shown in the grand lobby, hallways, lounge, library, pool garden and spa. Versace Home will also create interior inspirations that residents may adopt for their own units.

The Milano Residences is the latest residential project to rise in Century City, the flagship development of Century Properties. Masterplanned by the Jerde Partnership, the 3.4-hectare Century City, comprising luxury residential buildings, Grade A office buildings and a retail center, is envisioned to showcase the world’s best in one place.

The 24-year-old Century Properties is known for its track record in developing luxury projects which include the award-winning Essensa East Forbes in Fort Bonifacio. Its real estate portfolio and pipeline covers 63 buildings under management and development as well as current projects with over 42 million square feet; and more than 10,000 residential, office and commercial units.