Mitsukoshi, the biggest department store chain in Japan, is set to open its flagship mall in the country at Federal Land’s Grand Central Park community in BGC.

Ashopping trip to a Japanese department store is one of the most unforgettable experiences when in Japan. Walking around the department store’s basement level heightens the fun even more as this floor, also known as depachika (from depāto meaning department store, and chika meaning basement), houses a supermarket and a food hall. Beneath the floors of well-curated clothing and merchandise, you will find a basement-level haven of top-shelf food and related products. Depachikas offer a wide array of treats and produce such as sweet mochi, gorgeous bentō boxes, highgrade sake, exotic seafood, fresh fruits, and more.

WHAT GOURMET DREAMS ARE MADE OF

In 2021, Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., owner and operator of Japan’s famous department store chain, will open the Philippine’s first Mitsukoshi mall in Bonifacio Global City in partnership with Federal Land, Inc. and Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. Similar to department stores in Japan, the mall will have its own depachika. The upcoming gourmet underground will serve Japanese favorites such as tempura, teppanyaki, sushi, and tonkatsu, among others, which are sure to delight the lunch and dinner crowds. It will also offer a wide selection of international cuisine to cater to the different tastes of its diners.

REDEFINING THE SUPERMARKET SCENE

The supermarket on the food floor will be the mall’s anchor tenant. “The Mitsukoshi supermarket will redefine ‘delicious’ and ‘healthy,’ not only through items imported from Japan but also through improving the quality of local ingredients by adapting the Japanese style product management. We also aim to provide comfortable and enjoyable shopping experiences through Japanese services,” says Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. overseas operation department manager Yoji Kawaguchi.

Shoppers will find fresh produce such as fruits, vegetables, and dairy products directly delivered from local farms. “We are looking to periodically showcase specialties of the various prefectures and regions of Japan.”

In keeping up with Japanese standards, all foods are checked carefully. “We put high priority on product sanitation to deliver reliability as well as deliciousness,” Kawaguchi adds.

In addition to offering some of the finest food across the globe, this supermarket will provide patrons with a new shopping experience by staging cooking demonstrations, on-site tasting, and other food-related activities.

COMBINING RETAIL WITH RESIDENTIAL

Apart from a supermarket and food hall, this four-story mall will also house an outstanding selection of boutiques carrying Japanese brands, as well as the best names in global retail. The mall will anchor The Seasons Residences, an upscale, Japaneseinspired condominium project by Federal Land, Inc. in partnership with Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd., and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd. The Seasons Residences offers onebedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom units with prices starting at P16 million.

Mitsukoshi in BGC will be the retail brand’s 56th outlet in the world. Isetan Mitsukoshi also has stores in Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Italy, and the United States.

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Artist’s rendering of Grand Hyatt Manila Residences South Tower, Grand Hyatt Manila and Grand Hyatt Manila Residences

It has redefined the art of fine living to suit the discerning lifestyle of the affluent.

Beyond its premium accoutrements, impressive finishes and highly strategic location, Grand Hyatt Manila Residences South Tower has aptly distinguished itself for crafting grand experiences for its residents. It recognizes that true luxury nowadays goes beyond the elegance of the structure, as it also gives prominence to impeccable service, privacy, exclusivity, utmost comfort and carefree convenience. Luxury is an experience that residents here can revel in.

Indeed, it’s no mere lip service when Grand Hyatt Manila Residences South Tower tells you to “come home to a place designed to bring you grand experiences every single day.”

Rising 50 stories high at the heart of bustling financial and lifestyle district, this 50-story enclave for one forms part of a two-tower residential development that solely carries the Grand Hyatt brand in Southeast Asia. It also offers an enviable upscale address; proximity to top establishments, leisure hubs and institutions; well-placed amenities that amplify that opulent lifestyle; and more notably, a curated menu of services made exclusively for its residents.

Artist’s rendering of the children’s playroom

Artist’s rendering of a three-bedroom unit’s master bedroom

À la carte services
These services were carefully crafted to enable residents to experience that distinct, redefined luxury and convenience by Grand Hyatt Manila Residences in the comfort of their homes.

Should you find it difficult to find time to do housekeeping chores, Grand Hyatt Manila Residences offers a General Cleaning Service that is manned by its team of professional housekeepers. Also available are its Laundry, Pressing, Ironing & Dry Cleaning Service; Errand Runner Service, which taps its reliable and trustworthy associates to do your errand runs for you within Metro Manila; and the Concierge and/or Secretarial Service, in case you need an extra pair of hands for document formatting, proofreading, researching, and flight bookings. A Limousine or Transportation Service is likewise available so you can get to your desired destination with ease.

Other offerings include Minor Clothing Repair Service, for those broken zippers, lost buttons or unstitched hemlines; Car Wash/Cleaning Service, to keep your vehicles sparkling clean; and the Minor Repair Service, through which its service engineer can assess the damage, determine the scope of work, and assign a designated electrical, mechanical or general engineer to execute the repairs for your homes.

Artist’s rendering of a three-bedroom unit with den living area

Marking milestones at home
Even celebrations and small, private gatherings are made easier and hassle free as Grand Hyatt Manila Residences offers you the option to mark these important milestones in your home. Its passionate and skilled team of chefs, florists, and service specialists will ensure that any family get-togethers, business dinners or events hosted in your residence will be a memorable one.

You can choose In-Residence Dining and order from a selection of culinary delights available at Grand Hyatt Manila, or you can Rent Your Private Chef to put together sumptuous dishes for you. Its Food, Wine and Table Service would make available its pleasant and friendly waitstaff to assist you in creating a pleasurable dining experience at home, while its Floral Arrangement service allows you to tap its professional florist to provide expert opinion on flower selection, style of arrangements and set-up schedule.

Without a doubt, Grand Hyatt Manila Residences South Tower enables you to experience and revel in true luxury with its menu of seamless, impeccable services—proof that it has indeed taken the gold standard of premium living to even greater heights.

Read More at : business.inquirer.net

5 ways to ensure that you live in a space that is not only eco-friendly but also suitable to these times

The Covid-19 crisis drew attention to the importance of sustainability. Amid the massive threat to public safety, people are realizing that sustainability goes beyond environmentalism. These solutions should create better living conditions for residents – bigger living spaces, more pocket parks, an integrated community experience, proximity to medical institutions, and more.

Take sustainable homes, for instance. More than its positive impact on the environment, these homes come with extra security and safety measures for its residents. They save costs by reducing energy consumption and offer additional health benefits that come in handy in a health crisis.

Let’s take a look at some of these sustainable housing solutions that are seen to benefit the residents today and address this “new normal.”

1. Bigger windows do not only save energy, they also give energy
Big windows provide your home with an abundance of natural light and other benefits. Big windows can reduce dependence on artificial lighting, consequently shaving off electricity costs in the long run. Natural light is also a great source of Vitamin D, a critical nutrient that helps boost a good mood and stimulate the brain.

Several modern homes such as Grand Hyatt Manila Residences South Tower in BGC, have incorporated large windows in their unit designs. On top of that, the windows are 100 percent glazed, providing the residents with a full harvest of natural light and a reduced transmission of solar heat.

2. Water-efficient toilet fixtures do not only save water, they improve bathroom hygiene
Flushing toilets is the biggest water hog at home, using up to seven gallons of water with every flush. Water-efficient toilet fixtures, such as those that have dual flush technology, reduce water waste, yet provide thorough cleaning in a single, low-volume flush.

Aside from conserving water and saving costs, these fixtures reduce cleaning time for the user as it is hygienic by nature. The Seasons Residences in BGC provides its residents with distinct Japanese shower toilets. The innovative bathroom fixtures are not only more sustainable but also adds a sense of comfort and luxury to the experience.

3. LED Lights are not only long-lasting, they also provide improved safety
LED (Light Emitting Diodes) lights last on an average of 35,000 to 100,000 operating hours and are more durable and sustainable than the traditional incandescent and fluorescent lights. They also generally consume 90 percent less power making them energy and cost-efficient.

Another advantage of LED lighting is its innately hazard-free attribute. LEDs emit almost no warmth therefore they are cool to touch and can be left on for hours. It also operates effectively on low-voltage electrical systems, which means the chances of fire incidents from LED lighting is much lower.

Residences made by reliable developers are already harvesting the fruits of sustainable lighting. The LED lighting technology used in these developments not only provides cool and well-lit spaces, they add to the residents’ peace of mind, as well.

4. Open lawns and landscape gardens do not only clean the air, they also relieve stress
Garden landscapes at home are truly therapeutic. When work-from-home arrangement takes its toll, the green façade and calming hues will lessen agitation and speed up emotional upturn.

Plants produce more oxygen and boost mood, while gardens with full-grown trees and shrubs create pockets of sanctuary from harsh sunlight. Because normal travel may still be unlikely in the near future, green, open spaces in condos or residential properties are probably the closest physical simulation of a destination spot.

5. Certain building materials do not just cool down surfaces, they can cool down body temp and provide communal heat relief

A home with a “cool roof” may not be important to residents at first, but the benefits of this feature are highly evident during mid-day heatwaves. Cool roof is a roofing system designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than the typical dark roof. Structures with cool roof reduce the amount of heat that enters the home.

Condominiums like The Grand Midori Ortigas have cool roof systems for future residents to become less dependent on power-consuming air-conditioning systems. The use of these materials in building elements not only allow for better energy efficiency but also improve thermal comfort for residents.

On a much larger scale, this housing solution further reduces the heat island effect on the community, adjusting the overall heat index altogether.

In the hopes that the pandemic is already waning, real estate developers are considering more innovative solutions that could future-proof their projects from potential crises.

Read More at: hmb.com.ph

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, real estate industry experts have remained positive on the outlook of the industry. While developers are prepared to slow down until the end of the year, most remain upbeat. This is boosted by continued interest in certain segments of the market.

This sentiment is further buoyed this week by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Governor Benjamin Diokno’s statement on inflation rates remaining within the two to four percent range for the next three years, and interest rates being cut by 175 basis points to support the economy and to boost consumer consumption.

In as early as May 2020, property expert David Leechiu, chief executive officer of Leechiu Property Consultants has been encouraging investors, with enough liquidity, to continue investing in property.

Developments such as The Seasons Residences, a joint venture development by Federal Land, Inc., Nomura Real Estate Development Co., Ltd. and Isetan Mitsukoshi Holdings Ltd., was ahead of the curve and is reported to be at nearly 90 percent take up for Haru, its first tower and about 40 percent for Natsu, its second tower, which was launched just a couple of months before the crisis.

In a video call, the effervescent Cathy CasaresKo, president of the joint venture company Sunshine Fort North Bonifacio Realty Development Corporation, is keeping in step with the positive outlook in the industry. Even with a strong sales velocity, Cathy weighs in with a healthy dose of conservatism.

With nearly three decades of experience spanning residential, commercial, industrial and township developments, Cathy came aboard at Federal Land with the joint venture project as her priority assignment.

When asked about the cyclical patterns in the real estate industry, and how Federal Land has remained in business since 1972, she shares, “Federal Land has always remained active even during the downturns. In keeping with the conservative approach of the Metrobank group, considerations in cash preservation and focusing resources on strategic projects have enabled the company to hurdle the transitions, and continue building its legacy.”

It is with this same guiding principle that Cathy confidently shares that the development of The Seasons Residences, as launched, remains on track. Moreso, with the continued market absorption of existing inventory. She adds, “With the first two towers, Haru and Natsu launched, we are gearing towards delivering to our buyers as promised. There is a slight adjustment to the timetable given the lockdown, but we are challenging our construction team to catch up and meet original schedules.” The Seasons Residences was reportedly launched with an investment value of $400 million in 2018. But, this number may be bumped up as unexpected costs brought on by health and safety considerations against COVID-19 will weigh in on aspects of construction and delivery.

Indeed, the nomenclature of the development truly puts it in season. The four towers, Haru (Spring), Natsu (Summer), Aki (Autumn) and Fuyu (Winter) remain timeless and timely in their design. A marriage of Asian traditions of Filipino and Japanese cultures, one can say that the fine details which were integrated into the design of the spaces are sensible.

At a time when parallel conversations are ongoing between the sense of personal safety living in single-detached house or in a highrise development, The Seasons Residences levels the playing field.

The Asian tradition of keeping the “outside clothes and footwear” outside, and the more recent practice of sanitizing, disinfecting and disrobing in a safe space, is possible with a genkan integrated into the design. In a typical Japanese home, a genkan would be akin to a modern foyer where one can change into house slippers or store a jacket in the hallway closet. A typical three-bedroom unit at Haru and Natsu highlights this convenience. The genkan introduces a graceful and private transition from the “outdoor” to the “indoor” space within one’s unit. Even smaller units still afford a small closet for storage of personal items as people arrive.

Storage and access, two major considerations we had to live with during the lockdown. Where to store all the packaged goods for survival? Or, how to service repairs when plumbing is usually accessed via other units? Oh, the travails of living in quarantine!

Ahead of the pandemic, The Seasons Residences has thoughtfully considered those conveniences. “Floor-mounted storage have been provided for. Even a below-floor drainage system on wet areas, primarily for piping and in-unit access of repairs, have been maximized for storage of handy items,” Cathy beams.

With so much time spent indoors, the design team have chosen to rethink the layout of the living spaces in response to the shifting demands for work and study areas of the family. “The home has become an extension of the office so we have dedicated an area that can be converted to a workspace.” Cathy shares. “If you need more space than that, or require a more business oriented set-up, a Business Center is part of the building amenity.”

To complete the lifestyle experience within The Seasons Residences, Japanese retail brand Mitsukoshi will open a mall at the podium level commercial space anchored by a Mitsukoshi supermarket. Adding to the mix of destination shopping experience within Bonifacio Global City is the beauty section of Mitsukoshi. When asked about the unique finds in Manila’s Mitsukoshi Beauty section, Cathy enthuses, “Unlike the Mitsukoshi selections abroad, this one will carry much more “color” products in keeping with the Filipino definition of aesthetics.”

At an average price of P385,000 per square meter for its second tower, The Seasons Residences places itself in the luxury segment, and Cathy defines luxury beyond a number. “Luxury is about comfort. It is about spaces that are well-planned, where we can imagine ourselves being in, it’s about convenience of having the right amenities and shops that provide essential goods within your reach.”

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