Century Properties Group (CPG) has teamed up with Indonesian conglomerate Bakrie to develop three master-planned estates in the Philippines—a Media City, a Sports City, and a Technology Corridor—in a bid to strengthen the tourism and media technology sectors of both the Philippines and Indonesia.
The agreement sets the stage for a mutual sharing of resources, from allocating capital investments to the exchange of expertise and skills to embark on these projects.
Revolution Precrafted Properties Ltd., a real estate technology startup founded by its chief executive officer Robbie Antonio —son of CPG chair and founder Jose Antonio—forged the cooperation between CPG and Bakrie Global to conceptualize and support the Media City, Sports City as well as the Tech Corridor, a statement said.
The memorandum of understanding among the parties was signed on April 28 on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit.
Clockwise from left: Revolution Precrafted Properties Founder and CEO Robbie Antonio, Century Properties Group Chairman and CEO Jose E.B. Antonio, Bakrie Global Ventura CEO Anindya Novyan Bakrie, and Bakrie Global Ventura Director and Viva Media Baru President and CEO Anindra Ardiansyah Bakrie at the MOU signing in Manila on April 28.
Century Properties Group (CPG) has teamed up with Indonesian conglomerate Bakrie to develop three master-planned estates in the Philippines – a Media City, a Sports City, and a Technology Corridor – in a bid to strengthen the tourism and media technology sectors of both the Philippines and Indonesia.
The agreement sets the stage for a mutual sharing of resources, from allocating capital investments to the exchange of expertise and skills to embark on these projects.
A third company, Revolution Precrafted Properties Ltd. – a real estate technology startup founded by its chief executive officer Robbie Antonio, son of CPG chair and founder Jose Antonio – also takes part in the cooperation between CPG and Bakrie Global to conceptualize and support the Media City, Sports City as well as the Tech Corridor, the statement said.
As part of the agreement, CPG will seek to provide the land for the three themed master-planned projects.
The memorandum of understanding among the parties was signed on April 28 at the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit. This partnership is seen setting the stage for future collaborations within the ASEAN countries.
Media City is envisioned as a mixed-use development that will host a state-of-the-art multi-media content development center. It is also planned to have residential, retail and other commercial components.
Sports City is planned to offer multiple sports complexes in the country for use by the general public.
The Technology Corridor is envisioned as the Philippines’ own version of California’s Silicon Valley. It is planned to enhance bilateral technology transfers between the two countries, as well as serve as a hub for the country’s tech-centric brain pool.
For Revolution, the deal includes supplying designer homes, hotel villas, and amenity space to Bakrie Global’s property affiliates in Indonesia. There are 3,000 hectares of land, owned and developed by the Bakrie Group, totaling $1.1 billion for the residential and villa component alone.
The partnership is seen to allow Revolution to diversify into producing highly functional and customizable spaces. As part of the signed agreement, Revolution will look to supply five mega studios and five hectares of office spaces and storage facilities to Bakrie Global’s Mediapolis studio project in Jakarta, which shall represent Indonesia’s strong commitment in Creative Industries and advanced broadcasting technologies.
Bakrie Global, for its part, agreed to lend the expertise and resources of its telecommunications, media and technology arm Visi Media Asia, Indonesia’s fastest growing integrated media company, to be involved in the aspects of broadcasting, programming and content creation in Media City for distribution in the Philippines and Indonesia.
“I am very pleased to have this framework of collaborationwith Bakrie Global of Indonesia to develop the Philippines’ first-ever Media City, Sports City, and Technological Corridor. This kind of synergy will help build the Philippines’ competitive edge as a tourism and hospitality destination with modern media and tech capabilities, as well as open a host of opportunities for business and employment,” CPG chair and chief executive officer Jose E.B. Antonio said.
“I am extremely proud to start this partnership with Century Properties Group and Revolution Precrafted, two very innovative companies from the Philippines that share the same vision with Bakrie Group in promoting industries through the creation of relevant developments that address the demands of the times. We look forward to advancing these goals while contributing to the nation-building of our respective countries,” said Bakrie Global Ventura CEO Anindya Novyan Bakrie.
Bakrie Global Ventura is a professional private equity arm of Indonesia’s Bakrie family focusing investment in digital age businesses.
“In its thrust to grow and expand its business from custom precrafted designer homes to creating meaningful public spaces, Revolution Precrafted is fortunate to bring these three companies together to forge this multi-faceted synergy and cooperation for real estate, technology, sports and media. We look forward to this collaboration with one of Indonesia’s largest conglomerates and the Philippines’ most innovative property company,” said Robbie Antonio, CEO of Revolution Precrafted Properties Limited.
Revolution delivers high-design structures such as modular homes, prefabricated stations and buildings, as well as pop-up retail and fitness centers designed by 53 of the world’s best designers, brands and Pritzker prize architects. It recently, raised seed funding from the world’s most prolific venture capital firm, 500 Startups at $256 million valuation.
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
CENTURY Properties, Armani Casa and Studio Daniel Libeskind officials at the opening of the Century Spire showrooms last year. From left: Giorgio Armani Global head of press Anoushka Borghesi, Century Properties managing director and Century Spire project head Robbie Antonio, Studio Daniel Libeskind founder and principal architect Daniel Libeskind, and Century Properties Group Inc. chair Jose E.B. Antonio.
Leading premium property developer Century Properties, known for its successful and high-end property developments in the Philippines, reached another milestone for Century Spire as the project garnered the Best Mixed-use Development Award at the 2015-2016 Asia Pacific Property Awards held last May in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Competing alongside prominent and well-known real estate companies in Asia Pacific, the recognition came after thorough and extensive judging by the International Property Awards (IPA) committee composed of more than 60 property experts around the world and chaired by three active members of the House of Lords in the UK Parliament.
The Asia Pacific Property Awards is part of the prestigious awarding body IPA based in the United Kingdom.
“This award is a symbol of the company’s dedication to build world-class structures that not only transform the Philippine property landscape but also change the way how the global community looks at the country in terms of economic and financial capacity. We are happy and proud that Century was able to contribute to the country’s vision through our real estate projects,” Century Properties chief operating officer Marco R. Antonio said.
The building is enclosed in glass and steel, and features three interlocking segments that stretch toward the top, forming a “crown” that blooms at the pinnacle and giving generous views of the city. Like a flower blooming, or a tree bearing fruit, the building crown is shaped to take advantage of the sweeping views of the city and create a new, iconic mixed-use tower. Practical and iconic, the tower crown is a functional space to be occupied and experienced.
Giorgio Armani’s luxury interior design studio designed the residential floors’ amenities and common areas as well as the office lobby, lavishing the tower with a mix of cosmopolitan luxury as well as a comfortable environment also found in the finely appointed structures around the world. On request, residential Century Spire apartments can be delivered with full Armani/Casa interior design, finish and furniture as a special commission, like the upgraded units above at the Century Spire show flat.
“Our partnerships with international firms and prominent personalities have enabled us to deliver excellent projects. This quality can only be found among passionate real estate developers that are committed to provide exceptional and first-rate features to its buyers,” Antonio said.
Century Spire is a development of Century Properties in collaboration with world-renowned “starchitect” Daniel Libeskind and the global luxury furnishings brand Armani/Casa.
The project is part of Century Properties’ expansion into the office development sector. Just recently, Century Properties announced its intention to sell prime, grade A office spaces in Century Spire after a surge in demand for corporate spaces in the Philippines, specifically in key business and financial centers.
Century Spire is rising in the 3.4-hectare Century City, Century Properties’ masterplanned community in Makati that features the country’s premium property addresses including luxurious residential skyscrapers, its first retail center, Century City Mall, and a world-class medical arts outpatient building, Centuria Medical Makati.
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.”
The 2013 Fila Polo Cup at the Manila Polo Club in Forbes Park was more colorful than ever because of its unique theme, “Brazilian Carnival!”
By 6 p.m. there was more glitz than ever before, dahlings. Superbly hosted by handsome Fila endorser Fabio Ide, the affair had endless entertainment by Guarana, Escola de Samba de Manila Dancers, Maracuja Dancers and “Talentadong Pinoy” hall-of-famer Astroboy.
Leading the Fila officialdom present were president and CEO of Fila Philippines, Cris Albert, and husband, chair Butch Albert, who was marking his birthday on the polo field that day, palanggas.
Astroboy had everyone amazed with his fiery display of fierceness. No wonder he is Manille’s premiere hoop artist and “Talentadong Pinoy” Grand Champion.
JEENA Llamas Lopez, moi, Deena de la Cruz, Maricris Albert
“Why a Brazilian carnival”? moi asked Cris A. “Merely because when it comes to emotion, color, atmosphere, and sheer over-the-top joyous celebration, there’s nothing that beats the Brazilian method and rhythm. This is a perfect welcome for Fila’s bigger direction in 2013, which has stayed true to boldness, color and design,” said the chic Cris, as she sipped her chilled flute of Dom Perrignom, dahlings.
The Rio de Janeiro-style Mardi Gras performing at the polo field sent the men and the young-at-heart rushing up front to get a 3D view of the women dancers. Wow!
The carnival was capped by kaleidoscopic fireworks.
All in all, some 800 guests enjoyed the night. That’s Fila for you, dahlings.
(More info on Fila? Log on to www.fila.ph.)
Mandarin festivity
Somehow I enjoy Chinese New Year’s Eve more than the traditional New Year’s Eve. And this year was no exception when the elegant Mandarin Oriental Manila held the grandest lunar new year bash outside of Binondo with the 17th edition of its lunar fest welcoming the “Year of the Water Snake.”
RUBY Chin, Cris Albert, Ana Abad Santos
It began with cocktails led by major sponsors BMW, Hennessy, China UnionPay, Enchanted Kingdom, Universal Harvester Inc., Dragonair, Mandarin Oriental Guangzhou and Makati City at the chic MO Lounge.
Guests of honor were Makati Mayor JunJun Binay, with his daughter Alexi, Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing, Netherlands Ambassador Ton Boon von Ochssée, with his wife Martine; Singaporean Ambassador VP Hirubalan, with his wife Mano; and Indian Ambassador Amit Dasgupta.
SHEILA and Mikee Romero
Miss World 2012 Wen Xia Yu of China joined the celebration, palanggas.
Colorful ceremonies followed outside the hotel, at the corner of Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas, where Master Joseph Chau performed the Paai-Shan ceremony.
Sharing the honors of dotting the five lions “waiting to be awakened” were dashing hotel manager Oliver Kreuzer, Jardine Matheson Group of Companies in the Philippines country chair Nonoy Colayco, Mayor Binay, Metropolitan Museum of Manila president Tina Colayco, philanthropist Rose Marie “Baby” Arenas, Jocelyn Kreuzer, Pangasinan Rep. Rachel Arenas, Jullie Yap Daza, Asian Carmakers BMW president Maricar Parco, Moët Hennessy Asia-Pacific manager Randy Uson, and of Universal Harvester, Inc. EVP Mila How.
JIM Garcia, Raffy Llamas
Enchanted Kingdom fireworks lighted up the sky at midnight, as guests witnessed the awesome video projection of a colorful snake slithering down the column of the hotel’s exterior, would you believe?
Executive Chinese chef Hann Furn Chen and executive chef Rene Ottik cooked up prosperity dishes, such as Steamed Live Garoupa with Superior Homemade Soy Sauce; Braised Chicken with Dried Oyster, Black Moss and Golden Garlic in Oyster sauce; and Tin Hau’s signature tikoy.
CRIS Albert, Jason Luengo
Après gorging all that after midnight, it was time to party some more and burn out all that calories, dahlings.
Yes, palanggas, Mandarin’s traditional Chinese New Year was totally hard to match, dahlings.
Philippe Starck building
Century Properties has scored another real-estate coup with its newest project, Acqua Iguazu Yoo, inspired by world-class namedroppable Philippe Starck no less, dahlings.
The fifth building within the Acqua Private Residences, a 2.4-ha property on Coronado Street, Mandaluyong, was recently inaugurated.
GP REYES, Cat and Carlo Antonio
The hotshot invitees enjoyed the eye-catching Acqua Iguazu showroom.
Breezing around, moi noticed Iguazu has a breathtaking multilevel amenity deck called the Cielo, and common areas that have the unmistakable imprint of Yoo, the design firm founded by top design mind Philippe Starck, natch.
British real-estate magnate John Hitchcox said in his welcome speech: “Because these spaces will be home to a lot of people, we have made our creations unique and very special. You have the privilege to see them now at the Iguazu showroom.”
“I am so very proud to present the first Yoo-inspired, Starck-designed building in your beautiful country and I am so delighted to be a part of this very exciting project,” said a smiling Philippe Starck in a video message.
Century’s hard-working COO Marco Antonio said, “Acqua is the perfect place to showcase Yoo-inspired by Starck’s sensibilities: edgy and fantastical yet functional and environmentally conscious.”
FILA endorsers Fabio Ide, Tim Yap, Georgina Wilson, Borgy Manotoc
MISS World president Julia Morley, Miss World 2012Wen Xia Yu, Chinese Ambassador Ma Keqing
“Yoo inspired by Starck’s design for Acqua Iguazu will forever change our standards for residential living,” said Robbie Antonio, Century’s head of international collaborations.
Because of their exclusivity and design, the units were grabbed and reserved on the spot faster than one could bat an eyelash. Iguazu buyers were rewarded when they brought home Philippe Starck branded gifts as souvenirs. (Visit www.acqua-iguazu.com.)
