Celebrating happy-ever-afters is certainly a daunting task to undertake. However, maverick real estate developer Brittany Corp., a proud member of the country’s largest home builder, Vista Land & Lifescapes, Inc., took this challenge. At Brittany’s Portofino development, every facet of building a lifetime of bliss is taken to heart. Within this 500-hectare property is Fernbrook Gardens where one can exchange vows surrounded by lush greens, romantic architecture, and every detail that makes a fairytale come to life.
Located at Portofino South along Daang Hari, this sprawling events venue is being developed in stages. Nonetheless, Fernbrook Gardens was already receiving guests as early as eight months after it broke ground. Full completion is expected by 2009 though Al De Veyra, the visionary behind the property, is first to admit that there is really no such thing as fully complete since it continues to grow literally and figuratively from day to day.
Daunting task comes to life
“The task was quite daunting as Brittany had to transform more than 500 hectares of raw land into a premier residential address,” said Vista Land president and CEO Jing Serrano. “We needed to utilize a design palette that mixes light and art, color and design; integrate a commercial development into the overall plan; and attract the trailblazing affluent few to take up residence in a place that is reminiscent of an Italian village. Brittany was single-mindedly focused on delivering the first and only Italian-themed luxury residential address.” This address included various amenities ranging from the typical facilities such as a clubhouse and fitness centers to the highly tailor-made services such as the opulent events venue, Fernbrook.
Predominantly Italian
“Fernbrook had to take into consideration the vision behind Portofino,” said De Veyra. “The structures had to be in keeping with the Italian theme.” Though he also drew inspiration from Italy’s European neighbors including the Victorian architecture of England and as far as the Byzantine stylings of Russia. These function rooms cum specialty gardens, however, were designed in such a way that it is still the Italian flavor that dominates the space.
Currently, Fernbrook has four garden-type venues on the upper level. Taking advantage of the ravine on which the property sits, four more venues will be added in the basement area. “The inspiration I will be drawing from will really be different from the original garden concept. It will be more of the opulent English stateroom type. We manufacture the elements ourselves. Because when I decided to do these Buckingham Palace types of staterooms that have very ornate ceilings, I shopped around for these crown-moldings only to find nothing.