Why Vista Land is focusing on Camella, Communities PH brands

MANILA, Philippines - Villar-led Vista Land & Lifescapes is focusing on launching more affordable and low-cost residential projects in Mega Manila and provinces, as it sees robust demand from overseas Filipino workers.

In a press briefing on Thursday, Vista Land president and CEO Paolo Villar said the property firm has been seeing stable demand in the affordable and low-cost segments being served by its Camella and Communities Philippines brands.

"There's a lot of expansion in Camella product range. Communities Philippines is mostly Camella products, so that's P3.5 million and below. I think it's continuing the trend. We have moved our portfolio of products away, in terms of percentage, from the high-end. The demand from middle-income and lower-cost sectors is quite strong and we're taking advantage of that," he said.

Camella is Vista Land's brand for low-cost and affordable residential properties in Mega Manila, while Communities Philippines offers the same but in the provinces.

Villar said the company sees continued demand for its projects from overseas Filipino workers. "We continue to get majority of revenues from OFWs. It's been quite robust... OFWs still comprise strong demand for our products," he added.

In the first half of the year, Vista Land reported a 18% jump in the company's net income to P2.2 billion in the first half of the year. Revenues surged 20% to P9.7 billion in the January to June period, as sales remained robust growing 18% to P23.6 billion.

As of the January to June period, the bulk of Vista's revenues came from Communities Philippines (42%) and Camella (31%). The rest are from Crown Asia (12%), Brittany (10%) and condominium subsidiary Vista Residences (5%).

The revenue share of Brittany fell to 10% in the first half of 2013, from 16% a year ago. Villar explained this was the result of a "conscious decision" by management to focus on the Camella sector.

"Demand has stable and strong (in the Camella sector). For the next two years, that's where we're going... (But) even though the emphasis is on Camella, we're still have Brittany products like Portofino and the beautiful Crosswinds in Tagaytay," Villar said.

More projects this year

Vista Land has launched 19 projects so far this year, with an estimated value of P12.3 billion. Sixteen of the new projects are in the low and affordable segment, while three are in the middle income segment.

Of the 19 projects, 14 are located in areas outside of Metro Manila, such as Bulacan, Bataan, Cagayan de Oro, Pampanga, Tarlac, Leyte, Koronadal and Bohol.

"We are still expanding, we will be adding new projects in the second half in Mega Manila. But definitely our provincial expansion is continuing strongly," Villar said.

Vista Land chief financial officer Ricardo Tan said the company is on track to meet its target of launching P25-P30 billion worth of projects this year. However, he declined to give details on where the rest of the projects will be launched this year.

"We now have residential housing developments in 31 provinces and 64 cities and municipalities around the country. Our continued expansion in the provincial areas has solidified Vista Land's dominant position in housing in the Philippines," Tan said.

With these new projects, Vista Land expects full-year sales to hit a record of P46 billion.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Vista Land builds first high-rise project in Mindanao

MANILA -- Vista Land & Lifescapes Inc. has launched its first high-rise project in Mindanao, located in Cagayan de Oro's central business district.

The Loop, which will have two 25-storey buildings, and one- to three-bedroom units, complemented by amenities such as swimming pools, a fitness gym and a multi-purpose hall.

Vista Land said the project "will cater to almost all income segments, serving the needs of mid- to upper-middle and high-end income markets. Down payment can start at as low as P5,285 a month."

The project is being pursued by Vista Land's condominium development arm Vista Residences, which currently has 23 projects in Metro Manila, Davao City and Cagayan de Oro City.

The Loop is Vista Land's second project in Mindanao, following the mid-rise condominium project Northpoint in Davao City.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Camella Condo Homes Takes Roots In The Heart Of Pasig

MANILA, Philippines — Accessible and affordable; modern and convenient – this is how to best describe what is being offered to home buyers at the newest Camella Condo Homes development in the heart of Metro Manila, at the crossroads of the bustling metropolis, in Pasig.

From its long and rich entrepreneurial history, Pasig had been transformed into a modern urban landscape, yet it has retained its charming heritage. Pasig’s Central Business District, the Ortigas Center is the second largest in the country.

Located in Pasig and within the boundaries of Quezon City and Mandaluyong City, the Ortigas Center boasts of a number of the tallest buildings. Other significant landmarks are the Asian Development Bank, Tektite Towers, and Meralco Building.

According to Vista Residences COO Maribeth C. Tolentino, “in response to the need for accessible and affordable residential options for city folks in the Pasig area, Camella Condo Homes is spending P400 million to build the 10-story mixed-use condominium with retail and commercial spaces on the ground floor.”

Its prime location along Mercedes Avenue, close to the Pasig City Hall and Sta. Clara Parish is in the center of connected neighborhoods intended Airport.

to be near business, call centers and work hubs in Ortigas Center; schools such as St. Paul College and the University of Asia and the Pacific; hospitals such as the state-of-the-art Medical City; retail complexes, five-star hotels, and malls.

Accessible via Ortigas, C-5, EDSA, and Shaw Boulevard, CCH-Pasig is 20 minutes from key points in Quezon City, Makati, Taguig, Antipolo, Mandaluyong, and San Juan.

The rising star of mid-rise developments, CCH-Pasig recently conducted its ground breaking activity signaling the start of its full scale construction as the tower targets completion and turn over in 2014.

CCH-Pasig is priced between P1.5 million to P3.8 million and provides home buyers a choice of studio with an option to combine units and two-bedroom units with balcony at a price of only P8,500 per month. This opportunity for families to affordably live within a quiet, modern community while enjoying close-to-home conveniences is hard to match. It is designed to highlight modern building features such as cross-ventilation and central air vent system that will allow air and light to permeate every floor for a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Wi-Fi ready with its own recreational amenities such as clubhouse, basketball court, swimming pool, parks and playgrounds, the building’s area perimeter is fenced with 24-hour security and an entrance gate with CCTV system.

Fire exits will be located at both ends of the building as a safety feature while a modern underground drainage system will be in place for efficient flood control.

Vista Residences, the condominium development arm of Vista Land & Lifescapes, the country’s largest homebuilder, entered the market in 2006 to offer Filipinos the easy convenience of condominium living.

Combining the space-planning savvy of the country’s top architects, an innate knack for selecting accessible and attractive locations to fit a wide range of needs, budgets and lifestyles, Vista Residences has set new standards for affordable mid-to-high-rise living.

source: mb.com.ph