Lleida tower defines outdoor space concept
By MAE LORRAINE S. RAFOLS
Manila Bulletin ¦ April 4, 2011

MANILA, Philippines – Ortigas & Co. aims to capture the outdoors and add a touch of green into their latest residential tower, Lleida. The project is the fourth building to rise within the company’s 12-hectare township development – Circulo Verde in Quezon City.

Taking cue from Circulo Verde’s generous use of space as outdoor amenity, wherein 70 percent of the property will be dedicated to open areas, the 21-story tower was also conceptualized to imbibe the same design ideal.

“We will make sure our future residents will be able to enjoy having all that space in our latest project, Lleida. Aside from roomier condominium units, there will also be amenities that will create and offer the feeling of being in the outdoors that’s usually lacking in other condominium projects,” said Joey Santos, general manager for real estate division, Ortigas & Co.

The building will be constructed to have a patch of green integrated into the structure. The feature is called the Sky Garden – a bi-level lush green space that will occupy the 11th and 12th floor which will also hold the amenity deck with a beautiful view of the city.

“Our Sky Garden serves multiple purposes apart from just aesthetics. People living in residential towers are almost always denied the pleasure of having a backyard. This is our way of providing a green ‘breathing space,’” said Santos.

Residential investment

Lleida, named after a Spanish Catalonian town, is targeted for starting professionals, small families and empty-nesters. Units are mostly studio and single-bedroom types, although there are also a few two and three-bedroom units for growing families.

The units can be considered good investment options because of size (units average from 21 to 95 sqm.) with prices starting at P1.8 million.

To further remove the cramp feeling often associated with condominiums, there will only be six to eight units per floor, and each will have its own balcony. A special architectural technique will make sure that sunlight doesn’t shine directly into the units, keeping homes cool throughout the day. A total of 195 units will make up the new project.

Residents will also find an amenity to fit different lifestyles. Pools, and a playground are available for family time, while function rooms can also be used for bigger social gatherings.

A lounge area and entertainment area adds a touch of exclusivity and class to the new tower.

Verde weekends

Future homeowners will also have exclusive access to the vast open space of central Cicrulo Verde grounds. Phase one residents can now go to Verde Weekends, an interim development comprised of an open field, where people can enjoy various sports and leisure activities such as flag football, kite flying and Frisbee. It also has its own set of attractions such as a motorized zipline and a remote control racetrack.

Plans are underway for the construction of a baseball diamond and a soccer field. Ortigas & Co. has allotted a total of P100 million for landscaping, providing residents an ideal space for both leisure and living.

Going green

In accordance to ‘green’ guidelines set-up by the Quezon city government, Lleida will have its own sewage treatment plant which purified water will be used to maintain the green architecture of the community.

The developer has also made precautions against natural calamities like floods to ensure that the Circulo Verde development is secure. Approximately P350 million was allotted to flood protection technology such as building a perimeter wall which will run one-kilometer on the periphery of the whole project, an eight-meter elevation from the Marikina River, automated floodgates, and a back-up pump system.

Industry growth

Since the introduction of the first three towers last year, the developer has recorded a 197 percent growth in revenue. The first tower, Majorca, is already 100 percent sold. The second tower, Ibiza, is 80 percent sold, while the third tower, Seville, is also enjoying brisk sales.

A total of five towers will complete the first phase of the development. Over P15-billion will be invested on the 12-hectare community in 15 years.

“Ortigas & Co. is committed to providing high-quality development projects for work, play and living. We develop centers for commerce, providing venues for new jobs and business opportunities. We started with commercial spaces like Tiendesitas and the Greenhills Shopping Center, which constantly undergoes redevelopment to address the changing needs of our patrons. Now we continue addressing other needs, but this time also focusing on residential options like Circulo Verde,” Santos said