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Licking the hidden costs of living in a residential condominium
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May 2, 2010
magazine property&design
The Sunday Times
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PIPED-IN LPG is an underrated energy alternative that could help residential condominium dwellers save as much as 40 percent on their energy bills. Without the luxury of space for washing and hanging out laundry, high-rise residents tend to be more highly depend- ent on washing machines and driers. Limited opportunities for cross-ventilation in a condo unit likewise mean that they tend to be more dependent on air- conditioning, particularly during the summer months. It is even more difficult for some dwellers of residential buildings where LPG cylinders have been banned for safety reasons. They must use electric- ity for cooking, which happens two to three times in a day.
“It bothers me that a significant amount of my budget goes to my electric bill,” says a Makati executive who lives in a residential development on Pasong Tamo. As though that were not enough, she says, higher usage of electricity means being slapped higher energy fees, which bloats her energy bill all the more. A newly married professional relates she enjoys the convenience of living in a one-bedroom flat in the heart of Makati; however, the use of air-conditioning and an electric laundry drier significantly drives up her energy costs. But these are necessities to her.
According to Serge Bernal, general manager of Bonifacio Gas, piped-in gas costs around 40 percent less than electricity. “A condo resident who can cook and heat food using gas and dry clothes with gas truly enjoys significant savings,” he says.
As more and more building developers ban the use of LPG cylinders for safety and other reasons, being linked to a 24/7 piped-in gas network like that found in Bonifacio Global City has magnified the benefits of being a Bonifacio Gas user. For cooking, piped-in gas is unsur- passed because it is cheaper than electricity and is available 24/7 unlike LPG cylinders which can run out and are bulky to store. “Our restaurant clients never run out of gas, which can be disastrous if they are cooking something delicate. Moreover, space is more valuable for restaurant owners. No bulky tanks mean more eating space. The more tables you fit, the more people will eat resulting to higher profits,” Bernal says. Another benefit is not having to worry about LPG cylinder deliveries, which can damage floors if handled improperly due to its weight. Besides offering savings to resi- dents, the piped-in gas produces less carbon dioxide than other widely available fuels.
■ One-bedroom deluxe
CAPITOL TOWERS’ BEIJING TOWER
Distinctly Oriental,
utterly prestigious
W
■ Residents
of buildings connected to the Bonifacio Gas network enjoy significant savings in their energy bills
■ Cosy interior
ITH the Athens Tower now sold out and almost
ready for a turn-over, The Capital Towers takes condominium living to the next level with its second high-rise,
the Beijing Tower.
“The Beijing Tower is a fitting follow-up to the Athens Tower,” says Dennis Lim, first vice president of Federal Land Inc., developer of The Capital Towers. “Interesting to note as well is that these two towers were named after capital cities that hosted the Olympic Games in 2004 and 2008, respectively.“ The target completion date for the 35-story Beijing in 2013 is still far ahead, but Lim says a significant number of units have been pre- sold so far, a testament to The Capital Tower’s appeal to investors, executives, young professionals and start-up couples. As the Athens Tower was inspired by Grecian and Mediterranean aesthetics, the Beijing Tower will have a distinct Oriental spirit. Once completed, the Beijing Tower will have 25-square-meter studio units, 35- square-meter one-bedroom, 44-square-meter one-bedroom deluxe and 50- to 58-square- meter junior two-bedroom units. All corner units can easily be combined to form bigger units fit for growing families and for greater freedom of movement and enjoyment. The development’s one- and two-bedroom offerings are now in the pre-sale stage. The design details show the ceiling’s fine finishes to maximize the height of the area. Glass-window panes will allow the most natural lighting and ventilation to flow inside the units while a garbage disposal system will be carried out to effectively manage waste. Thirty floors of Beijing Tower will be devoted to residential condominiums. Four floors are allotted for parking spaces. One floor will be for commercial units. The finished commercial area in the Athens
Tower now houses a Metrobank branch and a National Bookstore. A convenience store and two coffees shops are also set to open soon. Reinforcing Capitol Towers’ trademark prestige of living is the grand driveway or “porte cochere.” Exterior-wise, the Beijing Tower and the Athens Tower are both nestled on a podium, which will house the amenities such as the swimming pool, wading pool, reflecting pool and garden, jogging path, gym/fitness center and children’s playground, a function room, another garden for jogging or medita- tion, a daycare center and a business center. Located along E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue, the project makes the address strategic as it connects to the business center in Cubao and the nightlife spots in Tomas Morato. The avenue itself is lined with key commercial establishments, including academic institutions (Trinity University of Asia, Saint Paul and Saint Joseph), hospitals (St. Luke’s Medical Center, De Los Santos STI-Medical Center, National Children’s Hospital), churces (Christ the King Parish and Santi Niño de Violago), shopping centers (Puregold and Waltermart) and recreational hubs (Quezon City Sports Club).
For more information, log in to
www.thecapitaltowers.com.ph or visit the showroom located along E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue in Quezon City or call 723-4153.
business@manilatimes.net Editor: Nini Y a r t e
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