Despite the pandemic, 2020 has shaped up to be a banner year for SM Development Corporation (SMDC). The real estate giant has found and continues to find ways to help keep the economy moving by taking an active role in an increasingly vibrant real estate industry.
In a recent interview with BusinessMirror, SMDC President Jose Mari Banzon said that even with the ongoing health crisis, “the real estate industry is in the best position to do that with its association with several industries such as cement, steel, and construction, among others.”
SMDC, according to Banzon has “changed the landscape of urban-dwelling by providing a product that gives residents the feeling of luxury through spaces that are efficient, with generous resort-type amenities, complete developments with commercial establishments and hotel-like experience.”
The company’s popular strategy has paid off in spades. Recently, SMDC scored a near-sweep at the prestigious and recently concluded 8th PropertyGuru Awards, winning several major awards including the most coveted Best Developer honor— a testament to its standard of excellence in real estate development.
In addition to Best Developer, SMDC was also honored with the Best Lifestyle Developer Award. The company’s Fern at Grass Residences bagged the Best Lifestyle Development Award, Park Residences was named Best Condo Development (Luzon) and Charm Residences took home the Best Mid-End Condo Development Award for Metro Manila. In the design category, Sail Residences was the runaway winner with Best Landscape and Best Condo Architectural Design awards.
Located within the SM City North EDSA complex and providing convenient access to the future Grand Unified Station which will give residents unparalleled access to key locations in Metro Manila and beyond, Fern at Grass Residences is an established lifestyle district north of Metro Manila. As an exclusive enclave within the thriving complete community of Grass Residences, the sheer number of sports facilities that are exclusive to the residents make Fern at Grass Residences standout among other developments in the area.
Park Residences is located right beside the SM City Sta Rosa Lifestyle Complex and offers unmatched convenience and accessibility to numerous retails stores, restaurants and entertainment options in the mall. The transport terminal within the mall complex also provides a link to various destinations in Laguna, and to Metro Manila.
A modern contemporary medium-rise development, Park Residences is also noteworthy for its expansive central park’s lush open space inspired by New York City’s Central Park, and is decked with various amenities like a children’s play area, seating areas, swimming pools and manicured gardens.
Charm Residences is located along Felix Avenue, in the City of Cainta. The area has become an epicenter for infrastructure and real estate development. True to its name, Charm Residences is an ideal community that appeals to both the practical and aspirational senses of homebuyers and is particularly unique with its ability to perfectly integrate features of a complete mixed-use development and in the process, keep the intimacy of a tight knit community as it also offers hotel-like lobbies, and generous resort-styled amenities, and a community mall right within its development.
Finally, there’s Sail Residences. Developed to provide a luxurious and bespoke lifestyle within the world-class SM Mall of Asia business and lifestyle district, the project offers a development and living experience apt for the discerning taste of this global market.
As an ode to its location, the modern architectural design of Sail Residences was inspired by a sailboat deck and provides an overall feel that is both lavish and luxurious. This is made evident by the glass balconies of the units, and the three viewing platforms overlooking the Mall of Asia Complex and Manila Bay. These design elements are usually seen on those mega cruise ships that sail the open waters.
In addition to these projects, several SMDC properties were also Highly Commended in several development categories.
They are S Residences (Best High-End Condo Development for Metro Manila); Leaf Residences (Best Mid-End Condo Development for Metro Manila); Bloom Residences, Field Residences and Vine Residences (Best Affordable Condo Development for Metro Manila); Green 2 Residences and Hope Residences (Best Condo Development for Luzon); Smile Residences and Style Residences (Best Condo Development for Visayas); S Residences and Sail Residences (Best Lifestyle Development).
In the Design category, the following properties were Highly Commended: S Residences (Best Condo Architectural Design, Best Condo Interior Design and Best Landscape Architectural Design); Sail Residences and Shore 3 Residences (Best Condo Interior Design).
Banzon was not surprised with the numerous recognitions. Recalling the country’s history and achievements, Banzon noted that SMDC has been operational for the last 14 years and during that time, the company has launched 47 projects in major CBDs not only in Metro Manila but also in the provinces.
“We have turned over more than 70,000 units. We have significantly contributed to the country’s economic growth and social development by investing about P164 billion in the residential construction industry over the years, creating more than 350,000 jobs for skilled workers, technical professionals and office employees,” Banzon further pointed out.
Finally, SMDC’s The Good Guys community program also received a Special Recognition in CSR. In explaining how the company integrates Corporate Social Responsibility into its business model, Banzon is quick to underscore the fact that “The Good Guys is not just a tagline.”
“We try our best to live up to that promise. We are community builders. As such, we do not just develop edifices for groups of people to have a dwelling place. We make sure that such a community lives in a secure, happy, healthy and thriving place. We do it by constantly looking for avenues to make sure that such a promise is fulfilled, understand what our residents and stakeholders – especially the socially disadvantaged like the elderlies and the PWDs, or the economically displaced – need and address them through projects that not only provide for those needs, but also strengthen the community spirit. In so doing, we create a community of Good Guys wanting to do good for others. Ultimately, community building becomes nation building.”
In expressing his gratitude to the PropertyGuru organisation to the numerous honors bestowed upon SMDC, Banzon said that “to be recognized by an esteemed organization such as PropertyGuru, to be counted among the best, is already something that we are proud of.”
“It is a validation that we have indeed turned our vision into reality, that we are contributing to building a nation of homeowners; not just any home, but a home that allows the homeowner to live his best life. Thank you for giving recognition to the real estate industry’s efforts to give Filipinos the best value for their hard-earned money with homes that provide the best possible living experience,” Banzon further said.
The 8th PropertyGuru Philippines Awards is spearheaded by the PropertyGuru Group, dubbed “Southeast Asia’s pioneering and most trusted property technology company.” The company aims to address pain points when it comes to home ownership, and through Asia Property Awards (under which is the PropertyGuru Philippines Awards), it aims to recognize, reward, and celebrate the biggest achievers in real estate development in Asia.
As a result of being awarded as Best Developer by PropertyGuru, SMDC will be representing the Philippines at the 2020 Asia Property Awards to be held virtually on December 5.