Inspiring Grand Monaco

MANILA, Philippines - When Dr. Reynaldo A. Carpio first visited the city state of Monaco during a month-long tour of Europe many years ago, he found the country to be the most amiable in the world.

“I consider it one of the best places in the world,” says Carpio. “The climate is simply great. That’s why it’s a magnet for tourists – the cars, the food, the expensive lifestyle – they are all there.”

That’s why when he founded his property development firm it’s not surprising that he call it Grand Monaco Estate Developers Inc.

To this day, his memories of Monaco remain vivid and they have served him in good stead. Homes at all Grand Monaco are designed with a specific Mediterranean look, particularly the architecture of Monaco.

“The Monaco look served as an inspiration for the design of our properties,” he said. “But even if they are Monaco-inspired, they are selling like hotcakes, even in areas like Ortigas because all our developments are flood-free.”

Carpio, who is also the firm’s president and general manager, says that while the design of Grand Monaco homes are inspired by Mediterranean architecture, he has been able to adapt the look to fit the local climate.

All homes are designed with wide windows and cross ventilation to bring in cool air into homes. Considering that the weather in the Philippines is markedly different from that of Monaco, homes are designed to suit a tropical climate.

Carpio adds that the mix of Mediterranean and Filipino characters in Grand Monaco homes have been received well by their customers. Many find the fusion of styles to be a pleasant one.

In all Grand Monaco homes, there is also an emphasis on open planning to give buyers the space they need in their homes.

“The use of open planning reflects the hospitality of Filipinos in general,” he explains.

While a Mediterranean design is adapted for all developments by Grand Monaco, he says all homes are flexible enough to meet the needs of the buyers. There is much space inside and in the back of homes providing homeowners with room for improvement. Only the front of homes is permanent to give a sense of design unity to the different developments.

When Carpio started Grand Monaco in 2003, it was to pursue a vision of helping Filipinos to fulfill their dreams of having a home. Offering affordable quality homes has always been the company’s mission. Of the eight locations the firm has developed since it started, it has already sold out three, while three more are being readied for delivery. Another four are about to be started.

Projects are mostly subdivisions, townhouses, and single two-story four-bedroom units, with prices ranging from P2 to P4.5 million. Properties going from P2 to P3 million have been selling briskly among the OFW market, primarily because of a unique payment scheme that have made the homes affordable. They have made it easy for buyers by offering on a two-year installment plan their initial 20 percent down payment for the property. And OFWs account for seven in every 10 of their buyers.

Grand Monaco’s ongoing projects are Grand Monaco Executive Homes in San Joaquin, Pasig, Bagbag, Grand Monaco Homes III and Grand Monaco Homes II Phase 2 in Quezon City, Grand Monaco Heights in Taytay, Rizal, and Grand Monaco Residences in Antipolo.

Completed projects include Grand Monaco Homes I in Pasig, Grand Monaco Homes II Phase 1 in Bagbag, Quezon City, Grand Monaco Villas I (St. Louis Compound) in Quezon City, Grand Monaco Villas II (Kingsville Subdivision) in Antipolo, Grand Monaco Villas III in Kapasigan, Pasig City, Grand Monaco Villas IV (Kingsville Subdivision) in Antipolo, and Grand Monaco Villas V (Teodora Park Subdivision) in Concepcion I, Marikina City.

Forthcoming development are located in Paranaque, near SM Sucat, comprising 140 units of townhouses and single-detached units, 250 units in Sandoval, Pasig, 150 units of townhouses and single-detached units in Novaliches (Bayan), and in Balintawak, along EDSA near NLEX.

For details about Grand Monaco’s present and future developments, visit its website at www.grandmonacohomes.com.