Boutique real estate firm thrives on niche projects

Despite the glooming effect of the current global financial crisis to some industries, a Cebu-based developer remains cautiously bullish with its prospects of serving untapped markets especially with the positive turnout of its high-end development in Banawa called Panorama.

Panorama is the current project of Marvel Communities Inc., a boutique real estate developer which has built and maintained highly differentiated communities here in Cebu for the last 15 years.

Marvel Communities managing director Martin L. Qua said they were able to easily dispose five units out of the 10 that were initially offered, without making so much effort on marketing and promotions.

Qua stressed that houses in Panorama boast of unique features that could be considered as a first-of-its-kind here in Cebu. 

He said that Panorama will be the first full service residential community in the city wherein home owners will enjoy the same luxuries and benefits offered in condominium and hotel developments.

“Our houses will make one feel like living in a hotel with its loose density and it’s also like living in a condominium wherein full service features will be provided for such as maintaining the lawn, car washing, uniformed landscaping, repairs, and if the owners go abroad they can leave us their keys,” he explained.

Since the project features a contemporary tropical architecture, Panorama will be a first class resort community within the city as each home will have a feel of a five star resort.

Most homes will also have an open floor plan with integrated kitchen, living and dining areas that frame spectacular city, mountain or landscape views.

Qua said that they also offer free stylish architecture and interior design services that will be customized based on the tastes and preference of their home buyers.

“Each house will be distinct from the other and it will be like building their own house. We already have ready designs which they can choose from or integrate from their own preferred concepts. This development will be so niche because it will serve the specific needs and requirements of our clients,” Qua pointed out.

Another unique feature of Panorama is its ultra low density as Marvel Communities is looking at building only a few units in the property to preserve the exclusivity and huge free space of the community.

Panorama’s construction was started more than a year ago and its units are currently priced from P10 million to as high as P15 million.

However, Qua will not launch the project in public to control the phase of its development and keep the exclusivity of the community as well as maintain a low-key position in Cebu’s real estate industry.

Marvel Communities Inc. aims to make a mark in Cebu’s upscale development segment by creating very niche projects catered to specific needs of clients that could not be found in Cebu.

But Qua stressed that unlike other high-end developers in the industry, Marvel Communities strives to provide the kind of lifestyle that their client-base truly deserves that’s why they opened their budget for the project and tapped the best design team in the industry for Panorama.

The project was master planned by one of the top urban planners in the world; Palafox Associates, which is also behind the designs of projects such the Rockwell Center and the Mckinley Forbes Park redevelopment in Makati City; Punta Fuego resort community in Batangas, the Cebu Business Park, and the Northtown Homes among others.

“If you decide to go into high-end development, you should differentiate yourself from the rest and better make sure that you offer something more than the usual products offered by other developers,” said Qua.

Marvel Communities also recently completed the Banilad Villas, comprised of luxury residences with a contemporary tropical design located at a prime subdivision in Banilad.

They also developed the Banilad Place, Cebu’s first Mediterranean-inspired residential development designed by Architect Pablo Antonio Jr., a nationally acclaimed architect. —Rhia de Pablo