In a post trending in Facebook, motivational writer Simon Sinek observed that “millennials want to work, and live in a place with purpose, with impact, and with free food and bean bags.”
AVIDA Land Corp. isn’t promising free food and bean bags. But the mid-range property developer of Ayala Land Inc. hopes to attract millennials and young professionals to its new project in Mandaluyong City, which it claims is designed for compact living, convenience and sustainability.
That’s about as close as one can get to purposeful and impactful living for those born approximately between 1984 and after, what with today’s bedlam traffic in Metro Manila.
Exciting sequel
Located along Reliance Street, the first building of three planned for Avida Towers Verge will have 1,020 residential units.
A “sequel” to Avida Towers Centera, the 34-storey Avida Towers Verge offers two types of units — a 22.90-square meter (sq.m.) junior one-bedroom that separates the bedroom from the living and kitchen areas ensuring privacy; and a 33.81 sq.m. one-bedroom unit. There is also an option to combine two units.
In an interview, Avida land manager for the project and strategic management group Melissa D. Corpuz said the junior one-bedroom unit is designed to have a private nook where one can read and study, and an area where you can dine.
“We observed that buyers in Avida Towers Centera preferred these layouts. These types of units were the first ones to become sold out. The units are just the right size to service the needs of young professionals, and at the same time, meet their budget,” Jojo Fabricante, Avida Land head of the innovation and design group, added.
“We are targeting millennials working in Mandaluyong and central business districyts in Makati, Bonifacio Global City [BGC], Ortigas and Quezon City for Avida Towers Verge. They made up the bulk of our buyers in Avida Towers Centera,” Pol Tanco, Avida Land vice president for the project and strategic management group, told the Manila Standard.
“Most of them, about 64 percent are end-users. They are not only from Mandaluyong but from all over Metro Manila. About 54 percent of Centera buyers were at 35 years old and below, young working millennials choosing to move closer to their places of work,” he added.
Middle of the city bustle
The three-tower residential condominium is just a few minutes away from Edsa. Moreover, Tanco said Avida Land is bullish the project will be able to replicate the success of Avida Towers Centera nearby—Avida’s first project in Mandaluyong launched in 2011 and now 97 percent sold with all four towers completed and ongoing turnover. Remaining inventory in Centera is currently being offered as ready-for-occupancy units.
Tanco noted Avida Towers Verge offers numerous attractions for the market. He said the Mandaluyong itself is a busy city with several business establishments operating as well as also a shopping and entertainment locale. Access to the Verge is convenient as the Boni Avenue and Shaw Boulevard. Manila Metro Rail Transit stations and Edsa Avenue itself afford a fast track to different central business districts and beyond.
Meanwhile, the four-lane Santa Monica-Lawton Bridge, which will cross the Pasig River, will be completed by March 2020 and provide direct access to BGC.
“Verge rises on an area specifically designated for residential developments. Even with the busyness of Edsa just beyond, Verge still lies in a quieter area,” said Fabricante.
Millennials, take your pick
As a three-tower development, Verge offers more open spaces. In terms of the design concept, Fabricante said Verge focuses on convenience, right-sizing and a response to market trends on practicality, time and life priorities.
Fabricante said Avida Towers Verge offers two unit layouts. The Junior one-bedroom unit is an offshoot of the Studio unit’s design. A partial partition separates the bedroom from the common areas for living and dining. A Junior one-bedroom unit in Avida Towers Verge is about 22.90 square meters (sq m) in size. The unit layout has also become available in other recent Avida developments, such as Avida Towers Cloverleaf.
The one-bedroom unit with balcony, meantime, comes in at 33.81 sq m. Buyers are also given the option to combine two units.
“We observed that buyers in Avida Towers Centera preferred these very layouts. These types of units, in fact, were the first ones to become sold out. The units are just the right size to serve the needs of young professionals and at the same time, meet their budget. Market trends in the area further support this,” he added.
The Junior one-bedroom units are priced at P4.2 million to P4.4 million, while the one-bedroom units are at P6.7 million to P7.7 million.
“Verge adopts the millennial trend of compact living, convenience, sustainability and managing one’s time and life. The design really focuses on what that market really needs at their life stage,” Fabricante said.