3 faces of Ayala Land show stylishly green strokes

NAME IT, AYALA HAS IT covered but not necessarily in cement. Ayala Land Premier (for the upscale market), Alveo Land (for middle-income families) and Avida Land Corp (for affordable housing) are demonstrating that charting new territories do not necessarily mean compromising the commitment to nature and the environment, sophistication and that unique style of master planning.

These qualities are evident in its 320-hectare prime seaside residential development-cum-nature sanctuary Anvaya Cove in Morong, Bataan; a new residential tower The Meranti at Two Serendra that will rise in the Bonifacio Global City designed for urban overachievers; and a chic Ayala-designed residential unit in progressive Laguna province called Amaia that boasts of a starting price of just P650,000-well within reach of families and individuals who can set aside just P4,000 monthly for the amortization.

The eco-resort and residential development Anvaya Cove-the only Asian finalist for the green and sustainable category of the New York-based Hospitality and Design Magazine Award-has recently added, among others, the "reforestation" of its shores by repopulating them with 79 Tridacna Gigas, an endangered clam species renowned for its size. The fully operational Veda Spa and its Stresscape-trained staff now offer the Shiatsu-Swedish combo and a host of other invigorating treatments. And a more thrilling Nature Camp situated in a protected forest now offers more adventure activities for adults and children.

Forest ‘flyby'

The highlight of the Nature Camp is the newly installed ziplines slung up to 100 feet high and 260 meters long. Using the double-cable zipline designed by Kerry Asuncion of Extreme Adventures Inc., zipliners do a "flyby" over the forest canopy while getting a great view of the South China Sea. For the kids, there's the mini version of the zipline, as well as the Magma and kiddie trails.

Ayala Land Premiere has recently finished Anvaya Cove's amenities in time for the Holy Week break.

Ayala Land Premier's marketing and sales head Thomas Mirasol explains that the giant clams help rebuild the coral reef system by "filtering" the seawater. The conservation organization Marine Science Institute in Boli nao, Pangasinan cultured the clams and transplanted them permanently about 65 yards off the Anvaya Cove shoreline.

Anvaya Cove also protects its other permanent "residents." The nesting grounds of sea turtles (pawikan) have also been "shorelined" (delineated) to provide them ample space from human beachcombers. Its second cove has an elevated pond that has also been declared a sanctuary for Philippine mallards (ducks). The Wild Bird Club of the Philippines had helped identify the species, and what trees it nested in.

The security personnel, the first to be assigned on site, were given additional training by the World Wildlife Fund and the Bantay Pawikan Inc., a community-based conservation center in Morong, to enable them to properly monitor the eggs left behind by the parent sea turtles.
Anvaya is all of 320 hectares of forested foothills and mango and narra trees-most of which have purposely been left untouched. Its mango grove park (at an expansive 10,000 sq m) was created to protect half-century-old mango trees.

Meranti at Two Serendra

Ayala Land's attention to detail in master planning has also been applied in equal measures in the new Alveo Land's residential tower The Meranti at Two Serendra in Bonifacio Global City. It was designed for the so-called urban "overachievers," with six thematic venues that are more than just functional.

The 45-story The Meranti is the newest condominium to rise within Phase 3 of Two Serendra. It will be integrated with The Shops at Serendra and Bonifacio High Street, and will feature highly thematic and upscale esthetics for its residents' diverse passions, goals and ideals.

The Living Museum will include a Culinary Studio with a function and dining room equipped with a professional grade kitchen where aspiring cooks can share their latest recipes; a Tropical Garden, a lush landscaped garden enclosed in glass ideal for hosting grand parties and community festivals; Enterprise Lounge, top-rate business facilities, an ideal venue for get-togethers; Discovery Hall, bonding area for parents and children; Fitness Club, complete gym amenities and panoramic views of the lush grounds; and the Stellar Peak, a landscaped deck and function area.

Stylish starter homes

Finally, one doesn't have to live in a box propped up in a poorly planned and congested subdivision just to have a home.

Set to cater to the classy yuppies' tastes, BPO workers as well as those in the public sector, Amaia house and lot units-initially 1,828 units to be built-will be known as the most affordable Ayala house and lot to date with prices ranging from P600,000 to P1.25 million.

Set at the 20-hectare Amaia Scapes Laguna in Calamba (an Avida brand), the residential units will have living areas ranging from 25 to 65 sq m on lots from 40 to 75 sq m. These units will soon be offered to the public starting at P4,000 a month.

Joselito N. Luna, Ayala Land chief architect and group head of the Innovation and Design Group, told Inquirer Property to expect "a fresher look, more youthfulness and more contemporary compact modules" for homes.

Luna is known as an urban planner of high-end developments.

The subdivision will be under the Ayala Property Management, which was previously available only to upscale Ayala subdivisions. Construction arm Makati Development Corp.-used in Ayala Land properties like Anvaya-will take charge of building Amaia.

Luna explained that young professionals with limited income have not been given enough options in the affordable housing developments over the years.

The Ayala team is set to change that situation, and the way low-income developments look with Amaia. It would create a young, vibrant environment with taste-as opposed to congested subdivisions. It will have compact homes that will be clustered around courtyards called Patio Greens.

Homes are designed to be more naturally ventilated and more energy efficient for a younger crowd. There would be compact modules with provisions for expansion horizontally and vertically.

Ricky Celis, vice president of Avida, said Amaia is intended for families that earn from P20,000 to P50,000 a month.

By Tessa Salazar
Philippine Daily Inquirer