LOOKING FORWARD, DESPITE THE TURMOIL

ALFREDO AUSTRIA
managing director of DMCI Homes.

--NONIE REYES

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MAJOR property developer DMCI Homes remains bullish despite the current financial turmoil because it has a solid market base in the country. In fact, the company has launched three projects, namely, the Ohana Place, Magnolia Place and East Raya Gardens, to cater to the growing demand for mid-rise residential housing units.



Alfredo Austria, managing director of DMCI Homes, said in a recent briefing the company displayed resiliency in tough times like the 1997 Asian financial crisis.

Founded originally as a construction company by engineer David Consunji in December 24, 1954, DMCI spun off its housing division DMCI Homes in 1999 with the aim to build condominiums and house and lots.

“DMCI was the company’s response to the Asian crisis. It was a sense of urgency because our assets were becoming underutilized.”

Since then, Austria said DMCI has evolved into a top-caliber developer of mid-rises.
“Over the years, we have sharpened our craft in building medium-density projects.

More than 7,556 units of mid-rise buildings have been offered to the public, 60 percent of which are already moved-in. Building mid-rise developments affords us to deliver units earlier than the normal developments. And since the bulk of our buyers are end-users, the demand for moving in right away is addressed,” said Austria.

Since 1999, DMCI Homes has constructed 6,073 residential units for its mid-rise developments, As of March 2008, 5,994 of these units have been sold. On average, Austria said 25 to 33 units per project of DMCI Homes’ mid-rise projects are sold per month.

DMCI is currently focused on the local market with only 20-percent concentration in market overseas. “We have marketing presence in Milan, London and Dubai. We are a latecomer in the international market,” said Austria.

DMCI is quite aware that location is a very important factor in attracting residents, as all their projects are located in accessible areas where residents easily reach the basic requirements of a community—schools, hospitals, transport points, commercial areas, business districts and other institutions

Among its early projects are the Lake View Manors (1999), Hampstead Gardens (2001), East Ortigas Mansions (2003), Villa Alegre (2004) and Mayfield Park (2004).

Riverfront Residences is part of the present crops of projects of DMCI. It is a mid-rise community that provides a 3,000-sq-m manicured linear park by the Marikina River.

For Taguig City residents, the Royal Palm Residences offers the convenience of the balance between home and city living.

The Manors at Celebrity Place in Quezon City is for the Anglophiles because it is an English-inspired exclusive mid-rise residential community with fast access to premier educational institutions, upscale residential ambience and leisure spots for the underserved families.

For the Zen-inspired, DMCI Homes has the Mayfield Park Residences right in the heart of Pasig City. Like its other mid-rise developments, Mayfield Park offers the residents a resort-like ambience.

Hawaiian style in Ohana Place

DMCI Homes pioneered in the introduction of an Hawaiian theme in Metro Manila through the building of the Ohana Place.

Lorenzo Raule, project development manager of DMCI Homes, said the residential buildings of Ohana Place were inspired from key destinations in Hawaii—Honolulu, Maui, Lanai, Hanalei, Kauai, Lanikai and Anahola.

Once completed, Raule said the 31-hectare village located in Las Piñas will be a prominent landmark.

Expect also lush tropical greenery such as gumamela and palm trees, the central amenity area which consists of a curvilinear swimming pool, an island bar with coconut trees and huts, and water slides and cascades geared towards giving residents a resort lifestyle.

Units offered at Ohana Place are 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom residential unit types with sizes of 42 sqm, 49.5 sq m and 66 sq m.

“These sizes offer young middle-income families just enough space to live, relax and bond with family members,” said Raule.

The price for a 42-sq-m, two-bedroom inner unit ranges from P2.2 million to P2.6 million.

A total of 738 units are available at Ohana Place with the first building, Honolulu, set for turnover on or before August 2009.

Urban solace in Magnolia Place

Raule said Magnolia Place, located near Quirino Highway and Mindanao Avenue, offers a tropical haven in northern Quezon City. With 60 percent of a 3.29-hectare space allotted to open space and common areas plus 40 percent to building footprint, the residents won’t suffer crammed spaces and smaller unit configurations.

Magnolia Place will adapt Neo-Asian architecture, with the residential community composed of 13-medium rise five-story buildings in single row and double row configurations. It offers two-bedroom and three-bedroom residential units with sizes of 42 sq m, 49.5 sq m and 66 sq m.

Raule said the highlight of the development in Magnolia Place is the Central Curvilinear Park, which features a tree-lined avenue, walkways and special street paving, beautifully complemented by a wide variety of flowering vines and colorful planting strips in its entire stretch.

Magnolia Place, with 843 residential units, has a price range of P2.2-P4.5 million. The first two buildings, Liana and Verawood, are scheduled for turn over on February 2010.

Living the Balinese way in East Raya Gardens

East Raya Gardens will introduce the Balinese theme and resort-type residential condominium. Set to rise on Mercedes Avenue in Pasig City, East Raya Gardens is a 2.9-hectare residential village composed of eight medium-rise, five-story buildings, complemented with 500 sq m of lush Balinese gardens and water features.

Just like the word Raya, which means great in Balinese, East Raya will also have fantastic architectural details such as the pavilion-like clubhouse, Balinese gardens and water elements designed to provide a relaxing treat to individuals.

Target market are young professionals in their late 20s and 30s employed in nearby Ortigas and Libis area. East Raya Gardens will offer two-bedroom and three-bedroom residential units with sizes of 42 sq m, 49.5 sq m and 66 sq m. Furthermore, residential units will have a balcony and a service area located at the building’s roof deck.

With 60 percent of the whole land area dedicated to open spaces, landscapes and other recreational facilities, Raule said residents would have adequate room to breathe and unwind after a hard day’s work.

East Raya Place will have a total of 778 units with a price range between P2.25 million to P4.12 million. The first building is scheduled to be turned over by February 2010.


Written by Rizal Raoul Reyes, Correspondent
WEDNESDAY, 15 OCTOBER 2008 18:25

Source: Business Mirror