Reside in luxury the Shangri-La way

By Totel V. de Jesus

FOR the longest time, mention St. Francis Square, and we’d be reminded of the first annual gigs of Fete de la Musique and the coolest bars in town that gimikeros love to get drunk at during weekends. The good food and fine music in those bars and restaurants remain, despite the birth of various like-themed districts in this and that part of Mega Manila.

But the better news is that a short distance from that pioneering recreational and business square, there’s a 60-floor residential condominium project nearing completion, targeting the busy executives and the legions of young urban professionals who work nearby and about to start their own families.

Aptly named St. Francis Shangri-La Place and located at Edsa corner Shaw Boulevard, it is the tallest in the whole archipelago, as declared by lawyer Andy Bautista, president of Shang Properties Inc., which is the property-development arm of the Kuok Group in the Philippines.

“It is located within an integrated community we call Shangri-La Place, right in the heart of the Ortigas Central Business District, with direct access to the Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, the Shangri-La Plaza and even the MRT. Now that’s definitely convenience within the comfort of your own home,” Bautista said in his speech during the press launch a week ago, held on the fifth floor of Shangri-La Plaza.

He pointed out that most of their potential clients are only familiar with the hotel side of their business “but the Kuok Group in the Philippines is also into real-estate development. We have the Shangri-La Plaza for retail, the Enterprise Center in Makati for office spaces and our first residential project, the Shang Grand Tower in Makati City, which we completed and turned over in 2006, two months ahead of schedule.”

He added that up to now, they continue to receive inquiries about The Shang Grand Tower, whose units are now valued at 50 percent more in the secondary market.

Which, of course, means that investing in St.Francis Shangri-La Place is the next best thing to do. The groundbreaking was held in November 2005, and Bautista assured that they don’t foresee any delays. He said, “Those of you who have bought units can move in by early next year.”

In fact, Bautista revealed that he himself bought two units. He also thanked Eden Lim, Shang Properties head of projects, “who ensures the structural integrity of our building.” She also bought two units. The chief operating officer, Vince Formoso, “who ensures the financial viability of your investment,” also bought two units.

“This is a clear instance of your developer putting their money where their mouth is,” Bautista said.

In another statement, besides being the tallest residential condominium project in the Philippines, the St. Francis Shangri-La Place aims to “set the standards for comfort, exclusivity and luxury living—a combination of quality and grandeur—for years to come.”

St. Francis Shangri-La Place has two towers and each has 600 units.

Bautista revealed that more than 800 units have been sold since its launch in 2005 but clients can still choose from the spacious 38-sq-m to 49-sq-m studio units, the 59.5-sq-m to 91.5-sq-m one-bedroom units, to the 126-sq-m two-bedroom units.

Each unit boasts of spacious interiors, large-picture windows, high ceilings and individual balconies that provide unit owners a good view of the Mega Manila landscape. 

More enticing for those who have ample savings or funds, the condominium has three-level grand penthouse luxury units. The floor area ranges from 510 sq m to 650 sq m, with private infinity pools, roof decks, glass-enclosed sky lounges and sky gardens. Each grand penthouse has four bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a master bedroom with its own walk-in closet and Jacuzzi.

St. Francis Shangri-La Place also boasts of first-class recreation amenities, including clubhouse and gym, multipurpose function rooms, aerobics room, adult’s game room, steam baths, sauna, children’s playroom, swimming pool and separate kiddie pool. Residents have access to Wi-Fi facilities and are given 24-hour concierge services.

At the press launch, Bautista also revealed that this July, the Kuok Group will start construction of a six-star Shangri-La hotel and residences in Fort Bonifacio Global City.

He said, “So you can see that our group has and will continue to invest heavily in the Philippines as we aim to be the leading developer and manager of prime properties in the Philippines.”

For more information, visit www.thestfrancistowers.com or view the model units at Shangril-La Plaza Mall Annex, with telephone numbers 634-8080 or 634-8111.

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