Plaza Crest: Country living in the city

Urban dwellers seeking to escape the congestion and harried pace of city living without giving up its many comforts and conveniences will find a welcome haven in Plaza Crest, an exclusive, upscale residential community being developed in Sucat, Parañaque City by D.O Plaza Estates, Inc.

The 2.7-hectare Plaza Crest will have only 154 dwelling units, giving future residents plenty of breathing space that invites outdoor and community-oriented activities. To be enclosed by a two-meter high perimeter fence, this new residential development will provide select homeowners with a highly secured, modern community amid a lush setting of tree-lined streets, pocket gardens abloom with flowers, and water features producing pleasant sounds akin to gurgling brooks. Road and walkways will use pedestrian-friendly pavers in terra cotta hue, instead of cold, gray concrete. Utilities such as water, cable, telephone and power lines will be built underground so that there will be no unsightly posts and wires to mar the view.

"Plaza Crest is going to be an oasis in a concrete jungle. Once homeowners pass through its gates, they will leave behind the chaos of the city and be transported into a green, relaxed environment reminiscent of the countryside," says Architect Rolando Mercado, principal architect of RMDA Architects, one of the country’s foremost design and architectural firms that has been involved in numerous residential and commercial developments including such high-end projects as Ferndale Homes, Chateau Elysee and the Celebrity Place. RMDA Architects planned the Plaza Crest development together with world-renowned urban planners, Palafox Associates.

Architect Mercado said Plaza Crest will have three types of dwelling units, each varying in size and amenities to suit the different tastes and needs of the upscale homeowners.

The four-level Garden Apartments, with floor areas ranging from 200 to 220 square meters, will appeal to particularly to big, established families. They will have three to four bedrooms, kitchen and dining areas, three to four toilets and baths, a maid’s room with toilet and bath, and two parking slots. Ownership is evidenced by a TCT, based on separate and independent lot areas.

On the other hand, the three-level Townhouses will have floor areas ranging from 145 to 164 square meters, two to three bedrooms, attic provisions, kitchen and dining areas, two to three toilets and baths, a maid’s room with toilet and bath and two parking slots. They are suited for young, growing families or empty nesters, who expect overnight weekend visits from their grownup children. Ownership is evidenced by a TCT, based on separate and independent lot areas.

The Walk-up Apartments will also have two to three bedrooms, two to three toilets and baths, maid’s room with toilet and bath and a parking slot but smaller floor areas ideal for start-up families, expatriates, and retirees.

For more information about the development you may call the DO Plaza Estates, Inc. hotline at 523-81-96 to 98 or send an email to [email protected].

There will be two styles: a two-level unit with floor areas from 129 to 142 square meters and a third floor penthouse unit with floor areas of from 56 to 62 square meters and an exclusive entry/exit from the ground floor. Ownership is evidenced by a Condominium Certificate of Title, which means even foreigners can own the units.

To allow homeowners to enjoy their verdant surroundings to the full, the planners opted to adopt contemporary Asian-inspired architecture for the dwelling units, a refreshing departure from the mainly Mediterranean influence in most of the current residential developments.

"When you say Asian-inspired it should be well ventilated with plenty of natural light. Usually, two sides of the rooms in Asian homes have openings that allow sunlight and air to go through and pass through unimpeded, Architect Mercado explained.

Thus, he said, the residences in Plaza Crest will have more windows, cross-openings, trellises, verandas and balconies. The windows and doors of the living and dining areas will open directly to pocket gardens to provide an organic concept prevalent in ideal Asian houses. This will create an ambiance of outdoor living.

"The Asian motif will be further reinforced through the use of indigenous materials and treatments. Streamlined and simple design of reinforced concrete typical of contemporary Asian houses will be accented with natural stones, glass windows, and architectural wood treatments for aesthetic and functional value. Overall, the design will not only be aesthetically pleasing but also cost efficient," Architect Mercado stressed.

The use of natural amenities as design elements will make the dwelling units in Plaza Crest blend with the environment, further highlighting the spaciousness of the development.

"Owing to its low-density, Plaza Crest will have plenty of open spaces. And the architecture will allow it to take on an even more expansive feel compared to other developments. The dwelling units will have different exterior colors and finishes, so there will be individuality. The Garden Apartments, the Townhouse, and the Walk-up Apartments will all be different such that as you pass them by, you will get a feeling that you are going through different neighborhoods. Yet, because of the unity provided by the architecture, everything will complement each other," Architect Mercado said.

Architect Mercado said the location of Plaza Crest makes it an ideal community to raise a family. Everything is within easy reach. It is right beside the Mary Queen Of Apostles Parish Center and within a few minutes drive from premiere schools like De La Salle-Zobel, St. Bendictine Abbey, Southridge International School and Woodrose School, the commercial centers, retail outlets and entertainment spots in Makati, Filinvest Alabang Corporate City, and Ortigas Center. It is also just a stone’s throw away from the domestic and international airports, the duty free shop and the fresh food market of Paranaque.

For more information about the development you may call the DO Plaza Estates, Inc. hotline at 523-81-96 to 98 or send an email to [email protected].