Monday, April 14, 2008 Developer ventures into skyrise commercial-residential project
A PROJECT of many “firsts.”
This was how Aboitizland vice president for marketing and sales Pia Mantecon described the real estate firm’s new project – The Persimmon.
It is also the company’s first undertaking of a commercial center, she added.
Covering over 1.4 hectares of land area in Mabolo, Cebu City, The Persimmon is Aboitizland’s first venture into a “vertical development” since it is the firm’s first skyrise project.
During a press briefing held at the Pino Restaurant last Friday, Andoni Aboitiz, Aboitizland chief operating officer, said the company is “very excited” with the project, which is the result of “meticulous planning and value engineering.”
“It is a new concept in Cebu where one can live, work and play in the same area,” said Aboitiz.
Also referred to as an urban village, the project is comprised of four 15-story towers that will house a commercial area and residential enclave.
Building construction will start in June this year. The completion will depend on “how fast the take up of the project is” said Aboitiz.
“It could be between five to eight years,” he added.
The “themed commercial neighborhood,” said Aboitizland sales manager Jojo Rafaeles, will be operational by the first quarter of 2009. It will also house the project’s sales office and a showroom for model units.
The Persimmon will have a studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and loft units. Minimum floor area for studios will range from 23 square meters to 32 square meters while loft units will be at 43 square meters to 141 square meters.
For the loft, buyers can choose among a one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units. Garden units are also available.
Although the company is yet to start accepting reservations, Rafaeles said that based on the purchase applications that the company received, Aboitizland has sold all of the 157 units at Persimmon West—the first tower that will be built.
“We now have almost 300 (prospective buyers),” Rafaeles noted.
The purchase applications are forms filled out by the buyers who have the intention to buy a unit while actual reservation of units is not yet open. In the forms, the buyer is asked to give three choices of preferred units.
The company will formally launch the project on April 25.
Mantecon said that Aboitizland is going to be the first to hold “a three-day grand launch,” starting with the launch party at the Waterfront Hotel Cebu City Hotel and Casino that will be followed by an open-house activity for the next two days.
The Persimmon’s residential area will feature a club house, gym, multi-purpose court, a playroom, children’s playground, an adult and children’s pool, function rooms and a perimeter fence.
The commercial part will have buildings that will house food and dining establishments, health and wellness centers, entertainment facilities and a grocery store. (DME)
