Living the Versace dream in Manila

Ahome designed by Donatella Versace? Yes, it’s now possible.

Century Properties recently announced a partnership with Versace Home, the interiors department of the Versace brand also helmed by the inimitable tanned blond and her cohorts of design experts.

The soon-to-rise 53-story property dubbed Milano Residences, named after the location of the Versace headquarters in Italy, is slated to open its doors sometime in 2015.

Within those doors, expect to find Versace’s hand in Milano’s public spaces. The Italian design team suited up the interiors of the building. “The Versace Home design team, headed by Donatella Versace, exclusively designed the Milano Residences amenity areas such as the grand lobby, swimming pool, business center, library, spa and juice bar,” says Century Properties managing director Robbie Antonio.

Taking inspiration from the brand’s fashion line, the condo’s design concept makes ample use of the iconic Versace Greek key motif, made popular by Donatella Versace and her late brother Gianni.

The groundbreaking ceremony, held at Century City — a 3.4-hectare mixed-use development on Kalayaan Avenue, a step or two away from Makati Avenue — was witness to the arrival of Gian Giacomo Ferraris, CEO of Versace Group, who came to Manila to herald his company’s partnership with Century. He stated that the building will reflect the specific brand of fabulousness Donatella is known for.

“Versace is world-famous for its glamorous approach to fashion and in Versace Home we have found a way to transfer this design aesthetic to interiors to create truly extraordinary and desirable living spaces,” he says.

Glamour home: Find the Versace in you at Milano Residences.

Residents can purchase — and thus live — the Versace lifestyle. “We will be providing would-be residents with the option to avail of Versace Home furniture and décor for their private spaces,” says Antonio.

Versace’s mix of old-world Baroque and ’80s-inspired sleek chic will be available to residents. Versace Home is set to create interior inspirations that residents can use as a template.

The showroom offers a peek at what the Versace brand is offering potential occupants. Black Lucite side tables flank a large sleigh bed in blue velvet. A silver and black dining table with panels that reflect the light is paired with modern chairs topped on spindly legs.

“The Milano Residences not only evokes the Italian-inspired high-life as seen within its walls, but embraces the esteemed lifestyle with much consideration to the Milanese heritage,” explains Antonio. “The structure itself, for instance, is a combination of classical and modern elements which can be seen rising up the tower — a stark and sharp contrast to the curvilinear form of the building — and a harmonious celebration of two contrasting eras. The Milano Piazza, which serves as the central and social amenity of the building, takes after the traditional Italian locale where people gather for both leisure and commerce.”

One of the signature spaces the building offers, also inspired by the design team’s Italian roots, is the loggia, an architectural feature that includes a recessed balcony. “Loggia means ‘an architectural piece of Italian make or design,’ and features a private plunge pool overlooking the balcony and the city below,” he says. Loggia units are two-level units with a balcony and private plunge pools that can only be accessed from within. According to Antonio, Milano i

Century Properties chairman Jose E.B. Antonio and Hilda R. Antonio, Ambassador Luca Fornari, Versace Group CEO Gian Giacomo Ferraris, Century Properties managing director Robbie Antonio and Versace Group license director Gabriela Saracino

s the only residential building to offer that kind of ritzy space.

Potential homeowners shopping for a home may be looking for a new experience and Antonio thinks that Milano is the answer to what they’re looking for.

“Homeowners have become more wise and discriminative in choosing a condominium,” he explains. “The basic rule used to be location and a central amenity such a large swimming pool or a fitness center, or if lucky enough, perhaps both.”

Apparently, that isn’t enough anymore.

“Nowadays, people want more than just a place that is accessible and convenient. They want to move into a home that signifies a drastic lifestyle upgrade. They want an abode that not just eases the motions of everyday life, but likewise offers pride and prestige in its ownership,” he says.

Antonio likens the property to a fine piece of designer clothing, one that has luxury sewn into its bare bones.

“We consider Milano a rare piece of limited-edition real estate, tailor-made for the truly discerning,” Antonio says. “At this juncture, we are no longer solely in the business of selling  prime realty, but also serve as a channel to an unprecedented lifestyle change.”