Vista Shaw builds on history

MANILA, Philippines - Often, in the mad rush towards development, there is little time to smell the roses. Actually, some would actually simply mow down the rose bush if it got in the way.

Giant real estate developer Vista Land was surely confronted with such a decision when it acquired a choice, 6,386-square-meter property on the corner of Shaw Blvd. and Laurel St. in Mandaluyong City.

The “rose bush” was the historical mansion of the late great President Jose P. Laurel. Well aware of its significance, there was no question for Vista Land the landmark would be bulldozed. “Originally, we thought of adapting the Laurel Mansion into a grand lobby but we decided to leave it untouched in order to preserve its integrity as a historical place and allow our residents to see it in its former glory,” said Elizabeth Kalaw, division head of Vista Residences (Vista Land’s vertical development arm, established in 2006).

While it remains under the aegis of Vista Land, the mansion will be converted into a museum replete with memorabilia the late president – continuing to stand as a reminder of a bygone era even as Vista Residences now prepares to erect two residential towers behind it.

“(The mansion) is part of the aesthetic plan of the entire location,” Vista Residences corporate communications head Emma Amores said at a recent press conference. And perhaps even if Vista Residences didn’t have a direct hand in it, the prime location has become more convenient – chockfull of destinations and establishments to make the address even more alluring.

Right across the street is a membership-shopping establishment S&R, where the old Cherry Foodarama grocery once stood. Cherry is set to rise again just behind S&R, by the way. Vista Shaw (which nixes its former name 515 that denoted the address) is also a heartbeat away from main urban artery EDSA, yet far enough from its frenzy. A Vista Land-controlled commercial area is also part of the master plan, which now houses a Starbucks and a Project Pie. Ground-floor space has also been apportioned for locators such as, presumably, laundry services.

Vista Residences additionally point out that Vista Shaw is “in close proximity to shopping destinations (Greenhills Shopping Center, Robinsons Galleria, Shangri-La Plaza, SM Megamall), hospitals (Cardinal Santos Medical Center, Pasig Medical Center, Medical City), and educational institutions (La Salle Greenhills, Don Bosco College, Xavier School, Poveda College, University of Asia and the Pacific).”

The first tower of Vista Shaw is set for turnover in December 2017, said marketing head Rowena Waterhouse; takeup has already reached 40 percent. Studio units (ranging in area from 22.4 to 27.6 sqm) are priced between P2.2 to 2.5 million, one-bedroom units (30.4 to 36.03 sqm) are between P3 to P4 million, two-bedroom units (40.7 to 50.4 sqm) cost P5 to P6 million each, and so-called “tandem” units (60.8 sqm) go for P7 to P8 million apiece.

The various units have a number of design configurations for various tastes and needs, and boast high-grade vinyl flooring planks, plastered painted wall finishes, exposed slab and rubbed concrete painted ceiling, solid wood-framed entrance doors, aluminum powder-coated glass for windows, window-type air condition provisioning as well as split-type air condition provisioning for other units. Kitchens will be equipped with modular bases, hanging cabinets, granite countertops and splashboards, stainless steel sinks with faucets and painted gypsum ceiling boards.

As for parking, Vista Shaw, added Waterhouse, achieves an impressive one-to-one ratio whereas city regulations only call for one parking slot for every five condominium units. Each 12-sqm parking slot should set customers back P960,000 to P1 million.

The 38-story towers will feature unobstructed views – particularly of the neighboring Wack Wack Golf and Country Club (if customers buy from the correct side, of course). Both towers will have “Sky Amenities” with “private recreational space,” a fitness gym, game room, function rooms – along with adult and kiddie pools with shower rooms.

Waterhouse said that Vista Shaw will have 24 units per floor up to the 20th level, then 23 from the 21st upwards. “We won’t be congested,” she underscores. “Most of the other developments have 30 to 50 units per floor. That’s very high density.” That potentially poses additional privacy and security concerns.

Three elevators will service each tower, and Vista Land’s own property management team will be tapped to take care of the premises. Monthly association dues are projected at P75 per square meter.

“We don’t see ourselves as a big player. Unofficially, we call ourselves a boutique developer,” Amores pointed out “Vista Residences is here to translate homes that Filipinos are accustomed to into vertical communities.”

This is all about banking on Vista Land’s experience as the country’s largest homebuilder, with more than 200,000 units in 31 provinces and 83 cities and municipalities all over the country.

Our projects are reasonably priced because we provide our market exactly what they need while offering a homey feel. We feel most of the other developers are forgetting this,” Amores added.

Vista Residences clearly remembers the good stuff, as well as history.

Visit www.vistaresidences.com.ph for more information.