THE passion for innovation is one reason Alveo Land has been a successful brand. The latest display for pushing modernism is manifested through its signature award-winning project Portico, a 3.6-hectare mixed-use condominium complex that combines high-rise residences and townhouses with a retail development.
“Portico is Alveo Land’s first development in Ortigas, introducing an ideal living experience that’s easy, seamless and interconnected. It has a classic and contemporary design with vertical and townhouse residences, quaint shopping and dining experiences, and green open spaces that form a refreshing retreat away from the buzz of nearby business districts,” said Alveo Land Chief Operating Officer Rufino S. Gutierrez in a media briefing held on June 5 in Pasig City.
Portico recently garnered both international and local recognition from the 2018 PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards as the Best High-End Condo Development in Metro Manila, and the 2018-2019 Asia Pacific Property Award for Best Residential High-Rise Development (Philippines).
Gutierrez said Portico is best for young families and urban achievers who want to experience living in the quiet side of Ortigas. Further, Portico offers city living experience with its open spaces and urban courtyard design
Accessibility and connectivity are the other attractions of Portico. It connects easily to other Central business districts like Makati, BGC and even Vertis North in Quezon City via C-5, Edsa, Shaw Boulevard and Ortigas Avenue. Gutierrez said the ongoing infrastructure developments, such as the BGC-Ortigas Link and the Mega Manila subway, will boost the interconnectivity with these locations and make Portico’s address all the more appealing.
Portico has two residential towers (The Sandstone and The Travertine), as well as its townhouse cluster, the Brownstone Villas. The Sandstone is a 43-story structure with an elegant, high-glass ratio façade, and only 11 units per floor. The Travertine, on the other hand, is a 45-story residence offering more varied living spaces. Portico has studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units, with unit sizes ranging from 30 to 130 sq m.
Gutierrez said Portico’s community will grow further when the mixed-use retail area and amenity area are completed. The two-level clubhouse, in particular, will have swimming pools, boardroom, indoor play area, lounge area, function rooms and a gym. In addition, about 65 percent of the district will be allocated for lush landscapes, foot paths and pet-friendly elements.
Innovation living
To enhance modernity in Portico, Alveo Land formed a partnership with Modernbrands Inc. It commissioned Per Weiss, creative director of Innovation Living Denmark, to design the one-bedroom unit that focuses on flexibility, and showcases how to enlarge condo spaces by combining form and function.
“Modernbrands and Alveo Land share the same passion for design innovation, which has led to collaboration on this new model unit. The furnishing design company will also offer different furnishing design packages for Alveo homeowners,” Gutierrez explained.
“The design concept showcases how condo living spaces can be expanded and enjoyed through multifunctional furnishing solutions that are beautiful, modern and functional,” he added.
Weiss said Innovation Living is a Danish furniture brand that specializes in the design, development and production of multifunctional furniture commonly known now as sofa beds that are all geared toward the goal of broadening the living space.
Founded by its owner Flemming Højfeldt in 1971, Innovation Living started out as a manufacturer of Hippie beanbags. The company has subsidiaries in the US, Ukraine and China. Denmark is responsible for strategic headlines on a global scale, but each region is free to adjust to regional differences within the boundaries of the main strategy and guidelines.
Innovation Living specializes in the design, development and production of multifunctional furniture, which is its core activity on a global scale. It offers a wide range of multifunctional sofas designed for different types of rooms and for different types of use.
For the Asian market, Innovation Living has developed a wider assortment to be able to meet the demands of customers who prefer to be able to buy a full interior setting for their apartment. Its collection includes tables, drawers, cabinets, chairs and beds.
Being a green company, it supports sustainability. All recyclable waste, like cardboard, plastic, iron and metal, are separated and used in other productions. Residual, combustible waste is incinerated in low-pollution plants. Packaging is reduced to the minimum needed for safe transportation.
The company said it is experiencing a global trend where people are moving from rural areas to the urban areas. This means that an increasing amount of people will have to live on a relatively limited amount of land area. Innovation Living has presence in 90 different countries, distributed throughout 1,200 stores.
Warm market response
Gutierrez said the first tower, which is the Sandstone at Portico, is already 93.80-percent complete. It is made up of 43 stories of insightfully designed low-density prime residences with an elegant high-glass ratio façade, and comprised of 11 units per floor.
He added the second tower, The Travertine at Portico, has completed 16.42 percent of its 45 stories, with more varied living spaces ideal for lifestyles at different stages.
Portico offers studio, one-bedroom, two-bedroom and three-bedroom units ranging from 30 to 122 sq m. There is also a special investment unit called the Three-Bedroom Twin Flat, wherein a two-bedroom and a studio share a common entrance and foyer. Units at The Sandstone range from P166,000 per sq m to P202,000 per sq m, while The Travertine ranges from 172,000 per sq m to P203,000 per sq m.
Gutierrez said the Brownstone Villas, comprised of eight three-story and four-story townhouse units have been sold out.
“We have been very pleased with the reception to this unique project. The other developments in the district will begin construction in the second phase of the project.”