Century Properties, yoo unveil Acqua Iguazu yoo inspired by Starck tower in Manila

by The Philippine Star

MANILA, Philippines – Century Properties Group formally unveiled recently its much-awaited residential development in collaboration with yoo, the design company founded by the world’s most celebrated living designer Philippe Starck, and international property entrepreneur  John Hitchcox.

The new Century Properties project called Acqua Iguazu is the first residential tower in the Philippines to be interior designed by the UK-based yoo inspired by Starck, and will be the latest addition to its portfolio of highly distinctive interior design projects around the world.

The P1.3-billion development is the fifth building to rise within the developer’s 2.4-hectare Acqua Private Residences project in Mandaluyong City, and was launched following the successful sales of the four previous Acqua towers: Niagara, Sutherland, Dettifoss and Livingstone (interior design by MissoniHome). The entire development features a rainforest-infused design theme and will have a total of 6 residential buildings.

John Hitchcox led the yoo team entourage in a visit to Manila to grace the project’s groundbreaking ceremonies at the site in Mandaluyong City. Joining him were yoo head of design Mark Davison, yoo designer Anastasia Kessaris and yoo marketing director Michelle Van Vuuren, as well as Century Properties officials Marco and Robbie Antonio.

“This partnership was forthcoming because Century Properties has consistently worked with the best in real estate. The local market has shown its readiness for branded property, and the international market could not wait to get more of it. They recognize branded developments to be on a par with international standards and to be superior in quality. Acqua Iguazu will be such a residence, and one that will offer that rare experience of life as viewed by Mr. Starck and yoo,” Century Properties co chief operating officer Marco Antonio said.

For his part, Century Properties managing director and international collaborations head Robbie Antonio noted that the project is consistent with their tradition of creating premium developments, life-enhancing spaces and distinctive experiences one has never before encountered. “yoo inspired by Starck’s design mark in Acqua Iguazu will forever change our view and standards for residential living,” he added.

Meanwhile, Starck said: “I am so very proud to present the first yoo inspired by Starck building in your beautiful country and I am so delighted to be a part of this very exciting project. Those of you who have experienced our designs before are in for another surprising, inspiring and delightful journey.”

Hitchcox added that “because these spaces will be a permanent home to a lot of people, we have made our creations unique and very special.”

Acqua Iguazu will rise to more than 50 storeys and have approximately 400 units. The building is designed with a distinctive crown called the “Cielo,” a multi-level amenity deck full yoo inspired by Starck design. The Cielo will have a gushing waterfall with a swimming pool, a bar, a DJ booth and dance floor, function room, an indoor and outdoor library, a movie room and dining area. The roof will have a cut out of a quote from the Little Prince written in Starck’s own handwriting.

The Cielo will also bear a spherical design statement – a tribute to the sun and moon – which will cast its glowing rays like the sun by day, and illuminate with a dramatic glow like the moon at night.

For the Acqua Iguazu units, three interior design inspirations following the themes of minimal, nature, and culture were opened for showcase at the Acqua Iguazu showroom. These will serve as reference motifs for homeowners who wish to decorate their units in true yoo inspired by Starck style.

Antonio is confident the project will entice local and overseas buyers, especially urban professionals and startup families who are familiar with Starck’s household name.

French designer Starck is known globally for his groundbreaking design and innovative spins on everyday products from toothbrushes to lamps, automobiles and even a yacht. British real estate entrepreneur Hitchcox is credited for founding the Manhattan Loft Project, the firm responsible for giving rise to the concept of loft living across London.

In 1999, Starck and Hitchcox founded yoo inspired by Starck in a shared vision to help people to live better through good design. Since then, yoo has been working with international developers for residential, hotel and commercial projects throughout Asia, Australia, Europe, Africa, North and South Americas and the Middle East and is responsible for the design of over 10,000 homes in 31 cities. Acqua Iguazu is the first yoo inspired by Starck residential tower project in the Philippines.

 

Source: https://www.philstar.com/business/real-estate/2012/12/14/885655/century-properties-yoo-unveil-acqua-iguazu-yoo-inspired-starck-tower-manila

Robbie Antonio: Renaissance Man of the Century

Robbie Antonio is the man you should have met in New York.Very stylish, sharp and articulate with that relaxed and edgy kind of chic,you know that he lives and breathes New York.He also lives and breathes art: he is present in many art auctions that matter. His hangouts range from MoMA to Rose Bar.

“Yes, my favorite place would be Manhattan for its pace and lifestyle,” he admits. “But right now, I’m really keen on focusing on Manila as I am personally challenged in terms of making an impact on the city.”

Did he really have a choice? He was bred in a work-oriented atmosphere where his parents, real estate innovator Joey Antonio and wife Hilda, constantly fed him and his brothers Jigger, Marco and Carlo with challenges. As managing director and board member at Century Properties, he helps craft the company’s strategic, marketing, financial and operational goals. “As project head of our high-end projects such as Trump Tower Manila and Milano Residences interior-designed by Versace Home, I am responsible for ensuring that the projects are delivered on time and within budget.”

Robbie is in charge of the company’s international branding initiatives and coming up with game-changing concepts and projects, regardless of the target market.”I feel rewarded when my work and personal facets of my life cross.”

In black coat by Gucci and scarf by Tom Ford: “Agility makes us different from other real estate companies.”

In between bites of lunch catered by Gaita Fores in the board room of Century Properties, Robbie talks about his work and his passions.

PHILIPPINE STAR:  Century Properties has been partnering with lifestyle celebrities and business bigwigs. First, there was Versace, then Paris Hilton. Now, Donald Trump. Tell us about your encounters with them. 

ROBBIE ANTONIO: Many of our professional collaborations came about as a result of creating personal relationships with them first and discussing a deal at the proper juncture. Versace was a meeting that transpired in New York to initially discuss a deal outside Asia. As for Paris, I knew her family and spent time with her in various countries first before finalizing our project. I also try to spend time with people I do business with.

For instance, I am in Los Angeles right now for work and the Emmys. The Hilton family invited me to dinner last night: Rick, Kathy, Paris and Nicky and I had a great time catching up. They are such a gregarious family.  During our dinner, Paris came in with tons of pegs and designs she has been working on for the Paris Beach Club of Azure. She surprised me with that. During the course of our dinner one of the vice presidents of a European nation came to our table to introduce himself and take a photo with Paris. That didn’t surpise me. I just saw Paris and Nicky for brunch a few days after our dinner over the weekend. We just wanted to catch up again before she left the country for work.

 At the helipad of their office building: “My goal is to take Century Properties to stratospheric heights.”

We spent some time with La Toya Jackson as well. I also try to squeeze in meetings for posterity’s sake. The first morning I got here, I met one of the most powerful producers in Hollywood. I plan to do something with him in the near future.

With respect to the Trumps, I met Ivanka first several years ago in New York when I was building The Centurion. I met the rest of the family and we discussed our project in Manila. We are all very engaged with our project and I have had many lunches, hundreds of calls and thousands of e-mails with the family members. They are a one-of-a-kind cadre of people — they are all brilliant.

If you could host a dream dinner for 10, who would be your guests?

Bernard Arnault, Jeff Koons, Tom Ford, Steve Jobs, Karl Lagerfeld, Frank Gehry, Queen Rania of Jordan, Anderson Cooper, Carla Bruni Sarkozy and Maurizio Cattelan.

I want to cover the areas of business, fashion, architecture, art, politics and technology. All of which are my favorite topics.

 Who are your icons in business and why?

People who extend their lives to more than just business and who make an impact on other things that matter a lot to them. Eli Broad is one of those people. He founded two Fortune 500 companies and is now almost a full-time philanthropist and an active contributor in arts, education and biomedical research. 

I spent some time yesterday at the Broad Foundation at LACMA enjoying his collection after having lunch with the museum’s director, who is an acquaintance of mine.

What was the best thing you learned in school? What is the best thing you learned outside school?

I attended Northwestern University where I acquired a degree in economics. I then pursued an MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. School honed my analytical skills but it wasn’t until I started doing deals in my early 20s where I truly sharpened my negotiation skills and gained confidence.

If you could promote your country, what would be your best sales pitch?

Manila as the next Manhattan.

Tell us briefly about the Milano, the Paris Beach Club in Azure and the Trump Tower Manila projects. And why we should buy them.

If you are an investor who wants a return on investment, a lover of luxury who wants to be surrounded by finery, an aspirational buyer who recognizes value — then these are the developments for you. Each building has its personality to suit these markets, reflected not just in the architecture, but also in the interiors. The Milano Residences has the bold look of Versace, Azure Urban Resort Residences through its Paris Beach Club has the fun-loving luxury of Paris, while Trump Tower Manila serves as the pinnacle of luxury.

You are an art lover. Who are your favorite artists? You have been buying at auctions. Which have been your best buys? Do you buy art for investment or sheer pleasure?

I always try to attend auctions in New York and London because it is a hodgepodge of the most important collectors, curators and dealers in the world.

In a way, these people make the art market. I buy art for both investment and/or aesthetic value but I always do my homework prior to my purchases. I try to ascertain what pieces should be priced at and where to find them. The evening auctions are strictly by invitation only and also turn out to be a fanfare of who’s who from various industries such  as Valentino, Laurence Graff, Marc Jacobs, Stephanie Seymour, Steve Cohen, Eli Broad, Peter Brant and  the Nahmads.

Some of the artists I am currently obsessed with include Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, Francis Bacon, Pablo Picasso, Piet Mondrian, Claude Monet, Andy Warhol, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani, Alberto Giacommeti, Vincent Van Gogh, Jeff Koons, Damien Hirst, Takashi Murakami, Richard Prince, Anish Kapoor, Maurizio Cattelan, Gerhard Richter, Ed Ruscha, George Condo, Julian Schnabel, James Turrell, Jenny Holzer, Barbara Kruger, Paul McCarthy, Anselm Reyle, Anselm Kiefer, Urs Fischer, Tracey Emin, David La Chapelle, Annie Liebovitz, Mario Testino, Steve Meisel, Steven Klein and Bruce Weber.

For furniture I love Claude Lallane, Jean Royere and Jean Michel Franck. Art for me doesn’t end with paintings and sculptures; furniture is a very big design necessity for me.

How do you describe your personal style in dressing? Who are your favorite designers? 

I go for quiet elegance. I avoid loud branding. I want luxury reflected in the cut of my clothes, the quality of the fabric, the tailoring.

I like Tom Ford, Hedi Slimane formerly for Dior Homme, Kris Van Assche for Dior Homme, Frida Giannini for Gucci, Stefano Pilati for YSL, Karl Lagerfeld, John Galliano, Valentino and Donatella Versace,

What would you never wear?

Anything that is not tailor-fitted. Aside from the brands I mentioned, I believe in bespoke apparel. Most of my shirts are.

Do you think most Filipino men  are afraid to be too stylish? They prefer to play it safe when it comes to dressing?

“To each his own” is always my philosophy. Whatever floats your boat.

What qualities do you look for in a future partner?

I’d go for one who is resourceful and clever. One who can speak at least one European language. A woman who gives thought to everything she does — from the way she looks to the way she thinks. Basically, the ideal woman for me would be someone with style and substance.

How do you relax from work?

I play tennis in the morning and after work in addition to tons of reading.

What would your ideal home look like? If you could build a unique condo of your own, what would it be?

Mukesh Ambani’s pad…. well, maybe a toned- down version.

What would you consider the best structures in the world?

Ghery’s Bilbao Museum,Meier’s Getty Center,Koolhaas’ CCTV,Child’s Burj Khalifa and Zumthor’s Vals Bath.

Who are the architects you admire and why?

I follow the works of Herzog, Koolhaas, Libeskind, Foster, Nouvel, Hadid, Gehry, Meier, Pei, Mayne, Diller and Scofidio. Also because I know most of them personally.

What do you see yourself doing 10 years from now?

I hope to see I see myself continuing to assist placing the Philippines on the map.

Name three things on your bucket list.

Being a force in three categories: business, art and design.

What really makes you happy?

Effecting change.

Source: https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/for-men/2011/10/05/733626/robbie-antonio-renaissance-man-century

And now, Trump Tower Manila

First was the Versace Home-designed The Milano Residences, and now comes the Trump-branded residential condominium called Trump Tower Manila.

Century Properties subsidiary Century City Development Corporation collaborates with The Trump Organization to bring to the Philippines the first Trump building called Trump Tower Manila, a 250-unit residential skyscraper that will be one of the country’s tallest buildings.

The tower, licensed to carry the Trump brand, will be located at Century City, a 3.4-hectare development on Kalayaan Avenue in Makati.

Century Properties managing director and Trump Tower Manila project head Robbie R. Antonio describes the tower as an “ultra-luxury” development, carrying the Trump standard. “Trump Tower Manila will have features patterned after Trump-owned developments in New York. These include a triple-height ceiling for the grand lobby. We have also incorporated into the design The Trump Plaza and water feature. The other common spaces include a restaurant, a business center with meeting and function rooms, a library, garden terrace and lounge, a fitness and spa center, and a pool and sky garden.”

Real estate magnate Donald Trump says, “The Trump brand stands for the best in everything — location, design, services, amenities and beyond. Trump buildings are always the most architecturally beautiful and are situated in the city’s prime location. We also deliver service that exceeds all others. That is what great real estate is all about.”

The tower’s units range from 57 sq.m. for suites to one- to four-bedroom units. The penthouses are very spacious at 425 sq.m. Prices start at P9 million. For the residential suites, three interior design themes will be reflected in the interior finishes: Downtown Soho, Park Avenue and Fifth Avenue.

“These interior themes will be likened to the combined designs of the various Trump towers in New York — contemporary yet timeless in its expression of luxury, with exquisite furniture, décor and design in every corner. We want unit-owners and visitors alike to recognize Trump Tower Manila as a destination and not just a residence,” says Antonio.

The Trump Tower Manila showroom is set to open in 2012, but unit reservations may be made starting this month.

Antonio adds that homeowners of Trump Tower Manila will “experience the trademark New York quality in terms of product and service, which means you are taking into account the crème de la crème of the world’s most influential and competitive projects. That means superior location, impressive amenities, and paramount service. From the magnificent floor-to- ceiling heights, glass walls, five-fixture bathrooms, etc., these are qualities that aren’t offered in Manila. We will be the first to execute a building of this magnitude into Philippine context.”

Antonio executed the licensing deal with Trump’s children, Ivanka and Eric, vice president and executive vice president for development and acquisitions at The Trump Organization, respectively.

“Robbie Antonio met with my team when he was based in New York City several years ago,” says Donald Trump. “In our meetings, Trump and Century discussed the opportunity of licensing the Trump name in the Philippines. We were very excited about the idea — Century is a great company that can execute and develop a Trump-branded product.”

Trump Tower Manila is a P6-billion project that will no doubt reinforce Century’s reputation of being a solid, credible and innovative property firm. “It is an honor for us to bring the Trump brand to Manila with this project, which we very much seek to achieve for the purpose of propelling the local landscape into a premier and global destination. Our bottom line as a developer has always been to sizably contribute to the progress of the Philippine real estate industry, and, in turn, provide a platform that benefits our country,” says Antonio”

Trump has been in the real estate business for 40 years. In 1971, he renamed his father’s company into The Trump Organization. To this day, he says, “I make sure that all of the details of a project — whether Trump-owned or branded, are executed at the highest level. We represent the gold standard worldwide and we make sure to live up to that reputation. We are not complacent. When you know that your location, design, interiors, amenities and services are the best available, there is no better feeling.”

How does Antonio foresee the future of Trump Tower Manila during these challenging economic times? “Manila and Asia are some of the more substantial markets in the world at this time. We wouldn’t have launched this project at this juncture if we didn’t believe in the viability of the local market,” he says confidently.

Century Properties’ other high-end project, Milano, which was interior designed by Versace Home, is approximately 80 percent sold since it was launched on Jan. 28. “Obviously, the overall perception of the economy does not encompass everyone. As much as we’ve expanded into catering to the affordable market, we’re also bullish about the business of luxury developments. There are several factors that contribute to the success of the upscale market, but what we have experienced firsthand is that our largest client base for the majority of our developments is Filipino expatriates who generate billions of dollars in revenues and investments for the country. In my opinion, that is what has made the Philippines a profitable arena for high-end projects.”

Century Properties sees the target market for Trump Tower Manila as being the “most discerning clientele in the country and the world. These are individuals who are familiar with the Trump Tower lifestyle heralded around the world and would like to experience it on a daily basis. We expect to have local buyers who would be considering this as a full-time residence. Furthermore, we are expecting foreign buyers who will use the unit as their pied a terre and who believe in the units as a solid real estate investment.”

 

Source: https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/modern-living/2011/09/10/725163/and-now-trump-tower-manila

Trump Tower to rise in Makati

MANILA, Philippines –  Build it, put the Trump name on it, and the buyers will come.

International real estate tycoon Donald Trump has collaborated with Century Properties for the first Trump Tower in the Philippines. Century Properties’ subsidiary Century City Development Corp. is licensing the Trump brand to build and sell the P6-billion ($150-million) Trump-branded residential tower in Makati called Trump Tower Manila.

In an e-mailed question and answer with The STAR, Trump – who owns some of the most expensive pieces of real estate in New York, including Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue, Trump Building on Wall Street, and Trump World Tower at the UN Plaza, each valued at over $250 million – said, “In discussing this opportunity with (daughter) Ivanka, we felt that Manila would be a strong market for the Trump brand. It is one of Asia’s most important cities and Manila’s sophisticated clientele really appreciates luxury. We were familiar with Century Properties and we found that their accomplishments in Manila were significant and we are confident that they would be a terrific group to develop an outstanding luxury residential building and brand it with our name.”

Trump Tower Manila will be part of Century City, a 3.4-hectare development on Kalayaan Avenue, Makati.

Century Properties managing director and Trump Tower Manila project head Robbie Antonio said, “Trump Tower Manila marks a new era in Philippine development. The standards of a Trump project are unparalleled and we expect to deliver this high level of quality in Trump Tower Manila. There is a stark difference between luxury and ultra-luxury – this project falls in the latter category. Once built, we hope that this will also be the most prominent residential condominium in the history of Philippine real estate. This is a five-star NY property. Every inch of the tower will look and feel like a world-class development. Manila has not seen anything like this in a long time or ever.”

Trump is positive about the region’s real estate industry, saying, “I think Asia is booming and I recognize that there is great wealth throughout the region. In the Philippines, the real estate industry is advancing tremendously and reshaping itself; people are buying real estate; they’re investing in homes for themselves and their families. Buyers in Manila are becoming wiser by the minute and I believe that they will buy into a top-tier product.”

The licensing deal was executed by the children of the two real estate magnates – Robbie Antonio is son of Century Properties chairman Jose E.B. Antonio, and Ivanka Trump is the daughter of Trump and vice president for development and acquisitions at The Trump Organization.

The Trump heiress became famous as one of the judges on her father’s popular reality show, The Apprentice, dubbed as “the ultimate job interview,” which picked and awarded one of 16 contestants to run one of Trump’s companies under a one-year $250,000 contract.

Trump executive vice president for development and acquisitions Eric Trump was also at the recent signing of the licensing deal in New York.

“I met Ivanka Trump in New York several years ago,” said the young Antonio. “A friendship developed with her and the rest of her family. In our meetings, we discussed a licensing deal, and consequently, Trump Tower Manila was conceived.”

Donald Trump said on working with his children in his organization, “My children and I are a team. We are dynamic and agile, and we work together to keep expanding the Trump brand in many different directions both domestically and internationally.”

The Trump Organization has over 70 properties, owned or branded, built or under construction worldwide, ranging from residential condominiums to hotels; golf courses to mixed use properties. Each property in this portfolio is situated at the top of the market from a luxury perspective regardless of asset class.

“We are excited to have Trump Tower Manila join this exclusive portfolio – it will be something that Manila has never seen before, and will set a new residential standard not only in the Philippines, but throughout Asia,” Trump told The STAR.

For its part, Century Properties’ portfolio includes 63 vertical buildings under management and development with over 3.9 million square meters, and more than 10,000 residential, office and commercial units.

Its Century City also carries the internationally branded Milano Residences, whose amenities and public spaces are being designed by Versace Home, and Centuria Medical Makati with Fortune 500 company General Electric.

This year marks Trump’s four decades in real estate. In 1971, he began heading his father’s real estate company, Elizabeth Trump & Son, and renamed it The Trump Organization. He has also written 15 books on business, economics and finance, and popularized the catchphrase “You’re fired!” on his reality show The Apprentice.

In 2010, Trump made headlines when he announced the possibility of running for president of the United States in 2012. On May 16 this year he said he would not run for president but a week later, on May 23, declared he hasn’t ruled out running for president.

Though the Trump fortune has undergone upheavals during the recession in the 1990s, Trump today values his brand at $3 billion.

Trump said that his secret to success, which he learned from his father Fred Trump and has passed on to his children, is simply, “Always love what you do. If you love what you do, you will be successful at it.”

Source: https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2011/09/09/724974/trump-tower-rise-makati

Century Properties partners with Versace

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.

 

Related Links:  Century Properties , About Robbie Antonio