The local property developer bucks regional bloodbath on Wednesday, November 9, with analysts believing the surge is because of Trump’s presidential victory
MANILA, Philippines – Century Properties Group Incorporated surged on the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on Wednesday, November 9, after its business partner Donald Trump won the United States presidential election.
Shares in the property company, which holds the license to develop Trump Tower in Manila, settled at 72 centavos after gaining 12 centavos or 20% in Wednesday’s trading.
Century Properties bucked the regional bloodbath, with analysts believing the surge was because of Trump’s presidential victory.
“This is more of a psychological buy. As you know, they are the local partner of Trump Organization for Trump Tower Manila,” Harry Liu, chief of brokerage firm Summit Securities Incorporated, said in a phone interview.
COL Financial head of research April Lee Tan echoed Liu’s remarks. She said Trump’s victory could be the reason for the surge in Century Properties’ shares, amid a regional bloodbath.
Donald Trump Jr, the US president-elect’s son, visited the country in 2014 to help Century Properties break ground on the $150-million Trump TowerTM Manila, a 56-storey residential building in the sprawling business district of Makati City.
“I’ve always loved the Philippines. I think it’s just a special place, and Manila is one of Asia’s most spectacular cities. I know that this project will be second to none,” Donald Trump, chairman and president of the Trump Organization, was quoted in the official website of Trump Tower Philippines as saying.
Robbie Antonio, the head of the company’s business development, was introduced to Ivanka Trump, who had him meet her father, who then agreed to license his trade and family name to Century.
As of May 2016, Century Properties said masonry activities for Trump Tower were in “full swing up to the topmost floor (57th level) while plumbing and electrical roughing-in have reached the 40th floor.” It is set to be opened within the year.
CEO named as special envoy to the US
Other than the Trump victory, Liu said investors could be thinking that “Jose Antonio being the new special envoy to the US will be beneficial for the company.”
President Rodrigo Duterte last October 28 named Century Properties chairman and CEO Antonio as special envoy to the US.
“His mission is to enhance business ties and strengthen the economic affairs between the two countries,” Century Properties told the local bourse in a disclosure.
Antonio also served as the country’s special envoy for trade and economics to China in 2005.
The chief of Century Properties graduated cum laude from San Beda College in Manila in 1966 and from Harvard University’s Owner/President Management Program in 2003. – Rappler.com
The younger Robbie Antonio with his father, former Ambassador Jose E.B. Antonio, who also serves as chairman of Century Properties.
I have been referred to as “Asia’s youngest real estate tycoon” and by Forbes Asia as the “liaison to the stars” as we, at Century Properties, have brought global fashion houses, Hollywood A-listers, prominent architects, and the most iconic real estate brands to the Philippines for exclusive luxury projects that are now changing Manila’s skyline.
It was in 2011 when I headed Century Properties’ International Brand Collaborations, and started to conceptualize, negotiate, source, and launch projects in Manila with lifestyle game-changers. These included the Trump Organization for Trump Tower at Century City; Paris Hilton for the Paris Beach Club at Azure Urban Resort Residences; and The Milano Residences in partnership with Versace and in collaboration with MissoniHome. We’ve also had collaborations with Yoo, the interior design company founded by John Hitchcox; and Philippe Starck, one of the most celebrated and revered living designers today. Our latest project is Century Spire, a residential office tower whose architecture is by Daniel Libeskind, with amenity interiors designed by Armani/Casa.
Over the years, I have learned that passion for innovation and excellence should always go hand in hand with market understanding and experience. We have to learn from the lessons of history, and innovate towards the aspirations of our target market. We may have come up with products that one would normally consider tough to sell but we’ve also successfully tapped into the aspiration of many Filipinos—which is to have a higher quality of life.
Apart from catering to the needs of the market, it would also be crucial to offer the best value among the products in your own category. Adding value to a real estate property will attract the very discerning property market. The market will always respond positively to lifestyle innovations that make sense. For a few more dollars, one can own property that is above par not only in terms of money value but also quality of life.
I have also learned that timing is everything. You have to know when to introduce specific products to specific markets. Developers who have experienced more than four economic cycles like ours will develop the sense of launching the right product to the right market at the right time.
Donald Trump Jr., executive vice president for Trump Organization, with Robbie Antonio of Century Properties. NELSON MATAWARAN
THE economic boom in Southeast Asia has led to the growing affluence of its people. With a bigger purchasing power, several developers have been encouraged to venture into the luxury market. As a result, this has also led into the entry of high-class brands in housing paraphernalia.
Although a big number of famous brands have entered the Philippine market, none has created much impact than the entry of one of the most esteemed names in luxury furnishings and interior design—Armani/Casa.
Robbie Antonio, managing director of Century Properties Group, said the launching of Century Spire in 2014, as the first luxury mixed-use tower in the region to be designed by the world-leading Italian brand of Giorgio Armani, has been a very positive addition to the luxury property market. He added that the project continues to draw interest from affluent Filipinos and foreign nationals, with the highest concentration in Asia.
“Excitement always surrounds exceptional developments, and especially so if its value is magnified by a design brand that is revered the world over. Through its remarkable interior design for Century Spire, Armani/Casa perfectly captures the Asian market with finer tastes in luxury,” said Antonio in a press statement.
The design studio’s projects in Asia include the Maçka Residences in Istanbul and the World Towers in Mumbai. Manila, Philippines, is joining this prestigious collection of Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio creations through the Century Spire project, underscoring the country’s maturity in view of global luxury.
Giorgio Armani said the Century Spire project continues to be a game changer in the property-development sector. “Developers, like the Century Properties Group, have projected the real-estate sector in its full maturity, changing Manila’s urban landscape and helping to make the country a top destination worldwide,” Armani said.
For Century Spire’s residential component, Armani/Casa is responsible for the design of common spaces and amenities, which include the grand lobby, library, swimming pool with juice bar and relaxation area, as well as the spa, gym and fitness areas. In addition, on request, residential apartments can be delivered with full Armani/Casa interior design, finish and furniture as a special commission.
Complementing the elegance of Armani/Casa’s interior design for Century Spire is the equally arresting tower architecture conceived by the renowned architecture firm Studio Daniel Libeskind.
“I’m interested in the dialogue between two companies that have different ‘languages’: that of a rigorous Armani style and the unpredictable style of architecture called ‘deconstructive,’ with shapes that seem to break the rules. I also find it very interesting that this dialogue takes place in an emerging and promising context like the Philippines,” Armani said.
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.
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.
Daniel Libeskind is a master architect. His works are visually arresting, full of life and interesting geometrical dynamics. From the amazing Jewish Museum in Berlin, Germany to the elegant and bendy Reflections at Keppel Bay in Singapore, Libeskind has crafted striking, unforgettable buildings that define an age.
Giorgio Armani is a master designer whose specialty is distinctive fashion and home interiors. Armani/Casa, the interior design branch of Armani, has created numerous memorable interiors all over the world, from the Maçka Residences in Istanbul to the World Towers in Mumbai.
Both designers come together on one of South East Asia’s newest luxury residential towers: Century Spire in Makati, Philippines. And behind this branding masterstroke is Robbie Antonio, managing director of Century Properties.
“Daniel (Libeskind) and Giorgio (Armani) are legends,” Antonio says. “They interpret space with a distinct and precise vision.”
With Libeskind, Antonio was excited for an architectural statement – something iconic that would put the city firmly on the map. He got it in Libeskind’s unique interpretation of a spire.
“When most people think of a spire, they think of a needle-shaped roof,” says Antonio. “Daniel Libeskind is the opposite. He comes up with his own interpretation. That’s why Century Spire is what it is. It’s something different.”
True enough, rather than taper off into a thin pinnacle Century Spire does the opposite and blossoms out like a flower.
“The design is so bold and sleek we wanted to partner with an interior design firm that would do justice to the amazing external design. Armani/Casa perfectly fit the bill.”
Spire’s interior designs look right at home in the building. The pool, juice bar and other amenities exhibit warm, smooth colors that exude a streamlined and classy vibe.
“It’s a wonderful marriage of form, features, and function,” says Antonio. “We’re really excited to bring the Libeskind and Armani/Casa experience to Metro Manila for people – both local and foreign – to behold and enjoy.”
Like all the best families, we have our share of eccentricities, of impetuous and wayward youngsters and of family disagreements. —Elizabeth II
This is a condensed version of the speech I gave at the “Baby and Family Expo Philippines 2013,†which opened on Dec. 6 at the SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia (MOA) Complex, Pasay City. It was the organizer and Philippine STAR reader David Abrenilla, the chief executive officer of Mediacom Solutions Inc., who suggested that my speech discuss “Mastering the Harmony of Family Wealth.â€
A few years ago at the Makati residence of billionaire Endika Aboitiz, SGV Group founder Washington SyCip told me that we ethnic Chinese are talented and natural entrepreneurs, but in the past our forebears failed to build enduring family businesses that lasted more than three generations.
SyCip told me that in the Philippines, only the ethnic Spanish Zobel family of Ayala Group and the Aboitiz family of the Aboitiz Group have succeeded. Now, many families are planning or preparing transitions in their business groups, such as the Henry Sy, Gokongwei, Andrew and Mercedes Gotianun, Manny Villar, David Consunji, Joey Antonio and other families.
According to the Family Firm Institute, a research group based in Boston, only 30 percent of family-owned businesses are still operating by the second generation, only 10 percent lasts to the third generation, and three percent survives to the fourth generation.
In the US, more than 80 percent of all businesses are family-owned, but only 30 percent get successfully passed on to the second generation and statistics show that only 13 percent are successfully transferred to the third generation.
In recent years, I have had the opportunity to assist in resolving two bitter family feuds, each involving business clans with billion-peso assets. I assisted the first family by inviting Davao businessman James Gaisano to be the mediator, and he succeeded after one year.
The second family feud I helped untangle was that of my paternal great-grandfather’s first cousin, which had already lasted for half a century. I stumbled into this family feud because I had been doing research on our family’s two-century entrepreneurial history here in the Philippines.
Here are some of my suggestions to build multi-generational family wealth, based on my research and studies of business families past and present:
•Do not spoil children or heirs. The Waterloo or ultimate failure of not a few “rags-to-riches†entrepreneurs and professionals, even celebrities, was their having insulated their children or heirs from the harsh realities and complexities of life by spoiling them. Spoiling kids will weaken them.
Do you notice that in families and throughout world history, so many of the successful entrepreneurs, professionals and good leaders are those who have undergone crises or struggled with disadvantages?
• Teach kids the value of money. Parents and family elders should early on communicate with children your values about money, why and how to save it, how to make it grow, and how to spend it wisely. Make kids understand that it is not easy to earn money, so money shouldn’t be wasted.
• Educate and train children and heirswell. Invest in the best education and also hands-on training for children and other heirs. Make kids work first in other corporations as part of their training. Giving your kids a good education is more important to future family wealth than just giving kids money.
• Be fair to everyone. Life is not fair; not all children or grandchildren have equal talents, natural intelligence, drive or interest in the family business, but under the law all should have equal shares of the family wealth.
Whether as kids or adults, children, nephews, and grandchildren should be treated fairly to prevent emotional baggage and animosities that might erupt into future family squabbles. Those who work should be given more, out of fairness, but the reasons should be explained clearly to other relatives.
• Promote tradition or a culture of meritocracy. Choose the leader and other managers of the family business based on qualifications, abilities and also commitment to the family business, not based on seniority or even gender. When not enough family members are available, hire non-family professionals. Have performance reviews for all, relatives or not.
• Write down or institutionalize rules for the family business. It is ideal to write down and institutionalize the basic rules and core values that will guide your family in terms of the business or wealth management. For example, set a rule on the role of in-laws, which some families favor and others do not.
• Prepare for clear succession early. A lot of family businesses have patriarchs who do not plan for the future and die unexpectedly, thus creating chaos, bitter internal quarrels or results in weak leadership in the next generation. Have estate and succession planning done early on and clearly, even family trusts.
• There should be only one boss and he or she should have authority. This rule of having only one boss is true whether for family businesses or non-family businesses. Based on my research, many patriarchs just appoint a son to be the boss of the family business but didn’t give the chosen heir the adequate additional stocks or shares to back up his authority, so in the long-term future the other kids or kin can gang up on the boss and take him out.
This was the case with my late father, who inherited the mantle of leadership over the family sawmill business from my grandfather, who died young. However, dad only had an equal percentage of shares as his one eldest brother, seven younger half-brothers and half-sisters, plus cousins who three decades later ganged up to oust him after an acrimonious legal battle, which went all the way to the Supreme Court.
• Separate the personal from the business. Whether in finances, vehicles, and resources, make it clear that personal needs or expenses should come from family members’ salaries or incomes and should not be sourced in an unlimited manner from the family business. This is one way to avoid abuses, misunderstandings, waste and dissipation of the family business resources.
• Plan the long-term future of family investments. There should be long-term and strategic planning on how to preserve family wealth, which is different from the continuity of the family business. Top investment bankers and lawyers should be consulted; all options here and abroad should be studied thoroughly.
GIORGIO Armani envisions a highly comfortable, warm, harmonious and sophisticated haven.
This November, intrepid developer Jose E.B. Antonio will try to outdo himself—yet again.
In 1996, he took a major gamble by building his first luxury condominium, Essensa East Forbes, at the then-undeveloped Bonifacio Global City. It was designed by the firm of architecture icon I.M. Pei.
The Asian Crisis had left the property market anxious and cautious, but Antonio’s company, Century Properties, weathered that storm and thrived.
In the past few years, it has collaborated with Versace Home, Donald Trump and Philippe Starck in building residential towers in Manila, and with Forbes Media for its commercial tower. The Antonios even invited celebrity Paris Hilton to design the clubhouse of Azure residences.
For the first half of 2013 (January to June), Century Properties earned P12.1 billion in pre-sales. Its presales target for 2014 is projected at P24 billion.
Where Acqua Iguazu by yoo has the fun and effusive Starck as design guru; Milano Residences has the bold iconography of Versace; and Trump Tower is imbued with the urban aesthetics of the Trump scions, the new tower will acquire the streamlined modernity and earth-tone sensibility of Giorgio Armani.
Flower in bloom
GRAND lobby. The Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio will oversee the selection of allmaterials, colors and finishes involved in the fit-out and design of the built-in or custom-made furnishings, to ensure the uniqueness of the designs. PHOTO BY ANDREW TADALAN
The Italian fashion designer is joining the latest Antonio project called Century Spire through his interior design firm Armani/Casa.
The 60-story Century Spire will be the eighth tower to rise in Century City, an upscale mixed-use development on Kalayaan Avenue, Makati City. Century Spire will have office spaces, Armani/Casa-designed amenities and residential units.
Architect Daniel Libeskind, the creator of Ground Zero, the redevelopment project of the former World Trade Center in New York, has designed a building with a crown composed of three interlocking blocks that open to the sky, resembling a flower in bloom.
The design is said to be evocative of the country’s progress. The local architectural counterpart is Gabriel Formoso and Partners.
At the launch, Century Spire’s average unit price was pegged at P227,000 per square meter. The average unit size is 57.4 sq m. The higher floors will have 200- to 400-sq m penthouses and 200- to 350-sq m duplexes.
CENTURY Spire’s poolside, designed by Armani/Casa, reflects Armani’s signature understated elegance. PHOTO BY ANDREW TADALAN
Armani/Casa will work on the Grand Lobby, Library, Pool area, Juice Bar and relaxation areas.
Signature fixtures
“It will feel like a building in Milan,” said Antonio, who also revealed that when Century Spire is completed in 2018, Century Properties will move its headquarters there.
Prospective buyers can get ideas on how to decorate their condo when they visit the model units in February 2014. Armani/Casa will furnish these mock-ups with its signature fixtures such as the bathroom line, Armani/Roca, and the kitchen line, Armani Dada.
The Armani/Casa Interior Design Studio is reputed for its comprehensive interior design services that include adapting to the culture, the geography and the architectural milieu of its projects.
CENTURY Spire’s crown has three interlocking segments designed by architect Daniel Libeskind. PHOTO BY ANDREW TADALAN
Antonio says the deal with Armani was brokered by his son Jose Roberto—Robbie to friends—who handles the company’s branding. A dedicated collector, Robbie met Armani in the international art circles.
Giorgio Armani, president and chief executive officer of the Armani Group, said in a statement: “If the architect’s aim is to create remarkable spaces, then it is my aim to bring these to life through my interior-design aesthetic. I am very pleased to be partnering Armani/Casa with Century Properties, and I believe that the combination of Daniel Libeskind’s vision and my own will result in a truly remarkable place to live, full of elegance and wonder.”
Antonio has received accolades for his achievements, the latest of which is Personality of the Year by the Southeast Asia Property Awards. A self-made billionaire, he started out by marketing building projects. His first development was the 12-story Le Grand Condominium in Salcedo Village.
“It was 28 years of hard work,” he said.
Leveling up
Century Properties leveled up its strategy by venturing into international projects, starting with the I.M. Pei-designed Essensa East Forbes. The 13-year-old building looks better through time because of the travertine finishes.
“It’s the same marble that built the Colosseum in Rome,” said Antonio proudly.
ANTONIO against the silhouette of Century City. Century Properties has transformed 744,576 sqm of space into premier residential and office developments in and outside Metro Manila. PHOTO BY ANDREW TADALAN
Essensa is the only residential tower in the country that hosts 17 units occupied by a foreign embassy. Known for its generous cuts, Essensa’s average unit size is 290 sq m, which costs P50 million.
“The price has more than doubled because of its quality,” noted Antonio.
“We want to convey the message that Century Properties is about quality. Behind those brands is a specification of what a building should be. You can’t build a Trump Tower and have a glass of 1 mm. We have to follow their specifications manual. So when you buy a unit from our branded building, you are assured that what you are getting is of world-class standards,” he added.
While the government seeks foreign direct investments (FDI) through corporate investments or sovereign funds, Antonio said retail offers the biggest potential. “People buy units that cost $200,000 to $1 million. If you compile those, the sum is big. But it is not recorded as FDI.”
Last year, Century Properties raked in P21.4 billion in pre-sales. Only 26 percent of its buyers are based in the Philippines, while 74 percent are based overseas—foreigners, OFWs and Filipino expats.
Late participant
Antonio said the Philippines is a late participant in the luxury condominium industry. However, local developers are having a field day with brisk sales. High-end condos in Metro Manila are still 85-percent cheaper than luxury condos in other Asian countries.
Century Properties’ luxury projects comprise 24 percent of its pre-sales revenues. The buyers consist of entrepreneurs and empty nesters who either invest in quality or for status.
“The fact that the property is branded enhances its asset value after five to 10 years. If you’ve got a brand, you can sell it and people will buy,” said Antonio.
For instance, Milano’s unit price has appreciated by 33 percent since its launch in 2010, while 97 percent of the units have been sold. Trump Tower’s unit price grew 63 percent in two years, and 92 percent of its units have been taken. Acqua Iguazu by yoo (inspired by Starck) is 71 percent sold, and its unit price grew by 16 percent in a year.
Antonio, whose net worth is $255 million as of July 2013, is No. 35 in the Forbes List of wealthiest men in the Philippines.
Asked why he’s still spearheading Century Spire when he can just relax instead, the businessman replied: “I’m not handling this. There is a team. I’m just your friend.”
Six months from Christmas, the local edition of “Town & Country” magazine has made a list (and presumably checked it twice) of the top single men in the country—and leading the pack is none other than the Bachelor-In-Chief, President Benigno Aquino III.
It’s a no-brainer; not only is Aquino the most powerful man in the country, but his love life (and sometimes lack thereof) has been a popular topic for years.
The President’s good “top-bachelor-approved” genes must also run in the family—nephews Jiggy Aquino Cruz, Jonty Aquino Cruz and Francis Aquino Dee made it to this year’s list as well.
“I must admit our mostly female team had a lot of fun working on this issue – especially our feature on the nation’s most eligible bachelors as well as our special wedding supplement,” said editor-in-chief Yvette Fernandez.
Town & Country named actors, athletes, chefs, models, businessmen, politicians and other movers and shakers to their Top Bachelors list.
One name who made it on the international list is Jon Favreau, who at only 31 has already been US President Barack Obama’s chief speechwriter for six years. Aside from his dedication to his job, he has also caught the public’s attention with his youth, intelligence and attractive looks.
Among local business circles, debonairs Kevin Tan of Megaworld, Atticus King of Victoria Court, Jesse Ho Maxwell of Magsaysay Transport and Logistics Group, and Robbie Antonio of Century Properties were picked—young scions who will likely take on the reins of their family’s companies.
And of course there are the royals, among them Britain’s Prince Harry, who graced the cover of this month’s issue.
Also making the list: Presidential nephews Jonty, Jiggy and Kiko.
Calling him “Buckingham’s loveable rogue,” the magazine said that Harry’s adventurous and happy-go-lucky demeanour and earnestness in his army career has endeared him to the public, especially to women.
And of course, being wealthy and royal helps, too.
This is also the case with Prince Carl Philip of Sweden and Prince Wenzeslaus of Liechtenstein, whose royal status, dashing good looks, fortune, charm and style have made them two of the hottest bachelors many women dream of marrying someday.
America may not have any kings and queens, but the closest the country has to a royal family, the Kennedys, have a new generation of sought-after single young men, such as Christopher McKelvy, Patrick Schwarzenegger, and Conor Kennedy.
“We know we have left out many other handsome and/or successful unmarried men in this highly subjective list, so if you feel there have been some glaring omissions, please let us know so we can include them on next year’s list,” said Fernandez. — BM, GMA News
MANILA, Philippines – As luxury real estate consumers standards become higher, developers and investors are likewise doing their best to stand out. One sure fire way to do this, says Century Properties managing director Robbie Antonio, is to innovate through differentiation.
In a roundtable discussion at the recent Wall Street Journal executive conference, “Unleashing Innovation”, Antonio said that differentiation is effective simply because buyers who are paying top-money expect no less than premium products.
“Differentiated products are not only eye-catching, they also offer lifestyles that are notches higher than what the market has been accustomed to”, Antonio said.
Attended by some 200 executives comprised of various industry leaders, entrepreneurs as well as personalities in the business of innovation from around the world, the Wall Street Journal conference encouraged participants to “debate on the most cutting-edge ideas in business and technology today in the hope of inspiring “practical advice and strategies to drive innovation in large companies, small businesses and society.
Speakers included top business executives such as Eduardo Saverin, Facebook co-founder and Investor, John G. Rice, vice chairman of General Electric Company, Owen Mahoney, CFO and CAO of Nexon, James E. Rogers, chairman, president and CEO of Duke Energy, Vineet Nayar, vice chairman and CEO of HCL Technologies, Ya-Qin Zhang, chairman of Microsoft Asia-Pacific R&D Group and Corporate vice president, Microsoft, as well as academics such as Tarun Khanna, Professor at the Harvard Business School, and Director, The South Asia Initiative at Harvard University and Pericles Lewis, Founding President and Professor of Humanities at Yale-NUS College.
Antonio represented the only Philippine company in the forum which scaled a full range of topics from the history of the human imagination, conquering foreign markets through local innovation, less expensive medical innovations, and the recruitment of great creative talent in various industries.
The Century Properties International Collaborations head provided the highlights of luxury Philippine real estate with focus on the differentiation strategy that his company has taken on in recent years and which will continue to do so with more brand collaborations already underway.
Branded successes
Century Properties has a string of successes with its differentiated real estate products, most of which are collaborations with upmarket brands such as the New York-based Trump Organization, Italian design powerhouses Versace Home and MissoniHome, international icon and real estate heiress Paris Hilton and most recently, the most acclaimed international design company based in Europe, yoo Inspired by Starck.
Each of these brands has seeped into local real estate and home design culture with their design offerings of Century Properties projects such as the Trump Tower at Century City, the Milano Residences, the Azure Urban Resort Residences and the Acqua Private Residences Livingstone and Iguazu towers. The entry of the brands have since upped the ante in the local industry and sparked a change in the game.
As unprecedented and landmark partnerships, they have allowed the company to create real estate products that feature never-before introduced and ultra-modern living choices.
Our partner brands have their own distinct aesthetic or design ethos that provide them with directions in designing lifestyle experiences Antonio, who is also Century Properties head of International Collaborations, said.
Common among such projects are personalized, leisure and wellness-oriented, sustainable and intelligent features.
Century Properties brings personalized living experiences through designs and amenities custom-fitted to a community who share similar lifestyles.
Azure is for families who have embraced laidback living offered by a resort-oriented environment while Acqua is for highly mobile families and individuals with an inclination towards high- design and green living.
In all of its luxury towers, leisure facilities are a common sight. Spas, built-in pools, modern children play places and themed green-properties have all proven to be a hit.
The Milano Residences has Loggia units, which have their own pools overlooking the metropolis, giving unit owners a rare leisure experience. Meanwhile, Trump Tower has its own luxurious set of spa facilities such as a spa, spa lounge and pool that also overlooks the city.
Abundant green spaces and pocket parks across its projects promote holistic well-being for their residents, as evident in the Acqua Private Residences. yoo inspired by Starck for instance, has created designs that promote a consciousness of nature or the environment.
Introducing the “hyperamenatized” living experience
Century Properties has also differentiated its products through its hyperamenitized living spaces or projects with large-scale and modern amenities.
At the Gramercy Residences, a multi-level sky park that features an infinity pool, a lap pool, a kiddie pool, a sky garden, a gym, a spa, a mini movie theater, a restaurant and more have been provided. The Knightsbridge, Acqua and Azure developments likewise all have a mix of some of these amenities all aimed at offering leisure to their residents.
Century Properties has also infused modern technology into its developments buyers are beginning to clamor for smarter products. Beginning with The Gramercy Residences, Century partnered with PLDT to make it the most modern residential infrastructure in the country with its powerful interconnectivity capabilities, whether through internet connection, cable TV or telephony services.
These modern conveniences are also expected to be rolled this out in Century™ other luxury developments.
With the successes of its projects, Century Properties has proven that differentiation might as well be another name for luxury.
