Tag: Business Mirror

When Robbie Antonio started Antonio Development in New York City, he did so with a bold idea: a collaboration with Pei Partnership on what would become the architect’s only homegrown residential project.

That idea took shape in The Centurion, a boutique limestone tower in Midtown Manhattan.For  Antonio, it wasn’t just a career milestone. It was a design education, a crash course in timeless execution, and the start of a lifelong conviction: that architecture and business can be fused to create lasting value.

More than a decade later, Antonio has set up a private family office, and the same design-first, strategy-aligned mindset is visible across these future ventures. What began as a developer’s instinct has matured into a more holistic approach to investing, branding, and scaling across industries.

A Philosophy becomes a platform 

The Centurion, completed in 2008, was a formative project. Its precise geometry, clean lines, and restrained luxury reflected Pei’s philosophy: that good design is not about spectacle, but permanence. Antonio, then a first-time developer, led the site assembly and execution, working closely with I.M. Pei and his son, Sandi.

A major factor in making the  collaboration possible was Century Properties founder Ambassador Jose E.B. Antonio, whose longstanding relationship with I.M. Pei helped pave the way. Even after his retirement, I.M PEI returned to play a key role in both The Centurion and the Qatar Museum projects, at the request of Ambassador Antonio.

That early success wasn’t just about location. It was about differentiation; the kind that comes from choosing collaborators carefully, managing details rigorously, and designing with intent.

Today, those same principles guide how the private family office will operate. While the group has grown far beyond its real estate roots, its current projects carry echoes of that original DNA.

Building with clarity, to stand the test of time

Across all of these initiatives, a pattern emerges: bold partnerships, disciplined execution, and a belief in long-term value over short-term hype.

“There are easier ways to build,” Antonio says. “But I’ve seen what happens when you start with clarity. When you work with people at the top of their field, and design something that can stand the test of time.”

That clarity now defines the private family office’s edge. It isn’t just about luxury towers or big-name collaborators. It’s about using design and brand credibility not as decorations but as levers for serious value creation. For Antonio, the Pei partnership wasn’t just a collaboration; it was a model of how principle and performance can coexist.

“The Centurion taught me that great design is quiet,” Antonio reflects. “It doesn’t need to scream. It just needs to last.”

Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/07/31/design-as-strategy-robbie-antonio-on-building-with-purpose/

Related Links:  About Robbie Antonio, Contact

Long before Robbie Antonio took the reins of the Jose Antonio Group Inc. or JAGI — now the Antonio family’s consolidated private investment vehicle — he was already making waves for forging bold, high-profile collaborations in luxury real estate. Among the most talked-about projects is his partnership with Italian fashion icon Giorgio Armani.

The project is Century Spire, a 60-story tower in Makati’s Century City completed in 2022. Designed by star architect Daniel Libeskind and outfitted by Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio, the skyscraper embodied Antonio’s vision of elevating Philippine real estate to world-class stature. Armani’s studio was tapped to curate not just the interiors of the private residences but also the shared spaces — down to the lobbies, pool lounge, and library. The result was a seamless blend of design, fashion, and function.

Luxury and innovation

Now, as CEO of JAGI, Antonio is taking that same mindset to a broader playing field. While real estate remains part of the equation, JAGI’s portfolio has expanded to include healthcare, fintech, technology, and consumer goods. The group’s mission is to back ideas that create long-term impact and push boundaries.

“The Armani collaboration showed us what’s possible when you mix visionary design with strategic ambition,” Antonio said. “That level of creativity and precision is something we want to bring into all our investments — not just buildings, but brands, platforms, and people.”

Long-lasting influence

Antonio’s focus on the family office, Jose Antonio Group Inc. (JAGI), isn’t a departure from his roots, but a continuation of the ethos that made his projects stand out from the start. Where others saw buildings, he saw experiences. Where others stuck to tradition, he courted change-makers.

Century Spire may be complete, but its influence remains. It’s a case study for what happens when Filipino development is unafraid to engage global talent. And as JAGI looks ahead, it’s clear that partnerships like Armani/Casa weren’t just for show, but were proof-of-concept.

From branded towers to cross-sector investments, Antonio is steering JAGI with the same daring that first caught the world’s attention. If the Armani collaboration marked a high point in Philippine luxury real estate, it also laid the groundwork for a future that’s more agile, ambitious, and globally minded.

Source: https://businessmirror.com.ph/2025/07/12/robbie-antonios-armani-deal-first-in-southeast-asia-marks-start-of-a-bold-era-in-phl-luxury-development/