THINK: Hermes Birkin bag in rare exotic animal skin. Why do you covet the bag?
You have the money and you want one. It bears a price tag only a few can afford and you’re ready to swipe the plastic. Sorry, you have to wait in line to be served. Its rarity, only a handful are produced, makes it more desirable. It’s an investment, you believe.
The lure of luxury. The brand, the exclusivity and the high cost.
Now, let’s talk about vertical living. It was unthinkable for condominium living to make it in Davao. It’s the largest city in land area in the country after all. But residential structures are rising at a fast pace—and people are buying.
Then comes its luxury version—the Hermes Birkin of condominiums, in Davao at least. Ayala Land Premier’s The Residences at Azuela Cove comes at a price tag of P33 million, P40 million and P80 million a unit. Here’s the catch, there are only 70 units in a 21-story building. Fancy living in one?
Apparently, the luxury residences were snatched off the market quickly. If you want one, you will have to wait for the next tower to go on sale.
At the moment, there are only two towers, the North and South towers, rising at Azuela Cove, the new 25-hectare mixed-use, master-planned, and sustainable seaside estate in the city and the region.
“What we are seeing is the confidence of the Davao market in the project’s unique and first-of-its-kind concept. The luxury seaside condominium is a first in Davao, and offers three distinctive features: first, all units will have balconies and commanding sea views; second, residents are offered heightened exclusivity within a low-density environment with each floor composed of only four units; and third, spacious living formats that afford Davao’s well-heeled families the luxury of space and flexibility of choice,” said Paolo Viray, head of Sales and Marketing of Ayala Land Premier.
Developer Ayala Land, who partnered with the Alcantara Group of Companies, considers The Residences at Azuela Cove as Ayala Land Premier’s pioneer project. It’s the brand’s first property in Davao City and seaside living development in the country.
Let’s admit it, seaside living or the view of the Davao Gulf from the bedroom window is not new to the locals, but its luxurious version—by a foremost developer, no less— is a novelty. Maybe this is why the locals bought in. Davaoeños comprise 70 percent of the buyers, it was reported.
I spoke with one buyer. The two units were acquired as investments. It may be a weekend home or whatever the two kids, to whom it will be titled to, want to do with it in the future.
“One of the unit’s cost is as expensive as the expansive family home (in the high-end, exclusive subdivision) when we acquired it the past. Those condo units are expensive but I’d like to look at this Ayala Premier acquisition as an investment,” said the client.
Perhaps it’s also a bragging right to be one of the very few who can live in that condominium. The Hermes Birkin Bag in exotic leather only a handful can own, remember?
The luxury condominium has three types of units: the Seaview Corner Suite (P33.1 million), approximately 181 sqm., includes a 13-sqm. balcony facing Davao Gulf. One of three bedrooms can function as an independent studio-type unit with its own door, toilet and bath, and kitchenette, allowing for flexibility of use; the Seaview Horizon Suite (P40.2 million), also a three-bedroom home across a 196 sqm. area, has an expansive 25-meter balcony spanning the entirety of the living space.
All three bedrooms face the sea; and the most exclusive spaces are at the tower’s topmost level. There are only two penthouse units. The expansive Seascape Villa (P80.8 million) occupy approximately 377 sqm. With a combined balcony area of 38 sqm., these sprawling four-bedroom, high-ceiling villa offers the luxury of space with a generous serving of natural light. The Master Suite comes with its own balcony, and a sizable walk-in closet with space allocated for a den or vanity.
Seduced enough? Well like they say, you only live once, and if you got the moolah, why not live in luxury? Call it the new pad for you and your Hermes Birkin.
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Email me at jinggoysalvador@yahoo.com