The Music of the Good Life
Business Mirror
November 17, 2008
MOST economic indicators point to a growing unease
with regard to the global economy, but you might suspect otherwise upon
hearing executives of Robinsons Land Corp. (RLC), one of the country’s premier
residential and commercial-property developers, dish about how their sales
continue to be robust, enjoying even better than expected numbers in September
and October when newspaper headlines screamed about economic turmoil in the US
and Europe.
This bit of encouraging news, echoing earlier reports about how the property
arm of JG Summit Holdings Inc. had outpaced the parent company’s other
business groups, was revealed during a recent lunch hosted by RLC to give
select lifestyle editors and writers a look and feel of one of its luxury
residential developments, The Sonata Private Residences, at its site in San
Miguel Avenue corner Lourdes Street, Mandaluyong City.
Situated right at the heart of the Ortigas Center, at its Mandaluyong City
district, Sonata’s location provides easy access to business hubs, schools and
the nearby commercial establishments such as Robinsons Galleria, Shangri-La
Plaza, SM Megamall and Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, among other prominent
establishments.
Now prospective buyers can have a feel of luxury living as RLC opens the
Sonata on-site show room that features one-bedroom and two-bedroom model units
with interiors designed by Joy Adriano of Arkispecs Inc. and architects Jeiven
Perez and Cecilia Getapia of JP+CG Architects Co., respectively.
The Sonata two-bedroom model unit is a sophisticated yet youthful approach to
high-end condo living achieved through a mix of carefully selected classic and
contemporary pieces, playful use of colors, textures and intricate patterns.
The walls are clad and adorned with premium finishes and matching artwork. The
natural stone cladding serves as the key accent throughout the unit. Sublime
and interesting wallpaper with Baroque patterns was used to add additional
detail and convey a classic look and feel.
Elements suggesting a modern lifestyle were incorporated in the unit. There is
an open bar/nook with customized drop lighting in the kitchen. A niched
divider was installed to delineate the living and dining areas without
compromising the sense of openness in the space. The master bedroom exudes
lushness through the interplay of mirrors, fabric-clad panels and artwork. For
the other bedroom, a poster bed with a fabric canopy radiates a feeling of
warmth and romance.
A sweeping look at the one-bedroom model unit should yield a sense of
comforting harmony and easy elegance. From the golden hue chosen for the walls
to the padded entrance wall in bronze, the glass mosaic tiles, and the
judicious selection of sophisticated furniture and furnishings in clean lines,
the model unit gives prospective owners a view of condo living that, however
limited the actual space, is nonetheless open, inviting and refreshing.
Various design tricks were obviously employed to maximize the space and give
the unit the illusion of spaciousness, but the end-result doesn’t feel
overthought and overworked. It’s a lovely piece of personal space for single
young professionals with a dazzling future ahead of them, or go-getting young
couples.
Sonata consists of twin residential condominium buildings, an office tower,
and a de luxe hotel in a single location. Its design—a collaboration of
internationally renowned design firm, Hellmuth, Obata and Kassabaum
International and leading Filipino architectural firm W.V Coscolluela &
Associates—exudes uniqueness and exclusivity, and is complete with a wide
range amenities and features that characterize the special project that it is.
Among these amenities are the 15-seater private theater, a music room, a
25-meter-lap pool, sauna, gym, 80-meter-long jogging path, Wi-Fi hot spot and
multipurpose function room. Children, meanwhile, can enjoy a fun day at the
outdoor playground, children’s pool, computer and digital game room, and the
playroom.
Sonata’s other unit features include balcony/aircon ledges, hot-water supply
lines (excluding water heater) for bathrooms and kitchens, walk-in closets and
utility rooms for the two- and three-bedroom units, powder room for the
three-bedroom and penthouse units, provision for washer or dryer connections
for units with utility room and a bathtub option for penthouse units.
The units’ prices range from P3.14 million to P5.32 million for the
one-bedroom units, P6.94 million to P9.98 million for the two-bedroom units,
P10.69 million to P14 million for three-bedroom units, and P26.58 million to
P26.67 million for penthouse units.