Expats prefer condo living in the South

Published in Manila Bulletin on May 3, 2015

A significant segment of the expatriate market that once leased multi-bedroom houses in southern Metro Manila’s gated subdivisions are now driving the sales of high-end residential condominiums particularly in Alabang, according to Kate Ilagan, Filigree head.

She revealed that close to 90 percent of the residents of three towers on Filinvest City’s Parkway Avenue neighborhood are foreign nationals working in the manufacturing sites of southern Luzon or offshore. They also leased single-detached homes in the area until condominium living became an option for them. The latest of those condominium projects in the area is the 40-story Bristol at Parkway Place set for completion in 2018, which they have also warmly received.

Bristol is designed by Architecture International and Casas + Architects to be an iconic landmark of Filinvest City. At a prominent corner of Parkway and main thoroughfare Corporate Avenue and highly visible to visitors of the emerging business district, it will be the tallest structure in the area.

In addition to the security and privacy of residential condominiums, licensed broker Beth Santiago said that many of the foreigners appreciate the blue skies and generous green spaces of the south. These will be highlighted at Bristol which will have wide windows that open out to a generously-sized balcony.

Santiago’s foreign lessees also value privacy and have helped prime sales of the project marketed under the Filinvest Premier brand. With only 10 units to a floor, Bristol will give residents freedom to live as they please. Bristol’s units also range from 53 to 168 sqm, spaces which they can easily manage themselves.

Proximity to Festival Supermall’s retail and dining options is another advantage of Filinvest Alabang’s high-end residential towers. Americans and Europeans enjoy walking and being just a stroll away from the supermarket, theaters and restaurants.

During the work week, they rely on chauffeurs but not on weekends when they have time to visit the malls. Europeans, in particular, enjoy strolling in sunny weather.

Santiago observed that a number of expats don’t have their families living with them. They choose to leave school-age children in their home country so that their education will not be disrupted. Nevertheless, they still rent out the bigger units to allow for visits from family and friends.

Overall, condo living just seems to work better for expats, she noted. Projects like Bristol have provisions for all the conveniences they are used to like washers and dryers all the way to efficient building management – which may not always be available in the single-detached homes that also cater to foreign nationals.

Extra conveniences provided by Bristol are the audio entry phones and energy-efficient split-type air conditioning in every unit. A swimming pool, function room, Yoga deck and entertainment center complete the project’s offerings.