Eton Emerald Lofts: A Landmark Inspired by Spacious Living
FROM BEING THE UPPER floor of a warehouse, the loft evolved into homes of New York and Los Angeles artists in the ‘60s. Its classic appeal – space and illumination – eventually made the word part of the architecture books referring to a room design featuring a platform used as a sleeping quarter.
The loft concept is relatively new in the Philippines. Architect Jose Pedro C. Recio of Recio and Casas Architects says the local versions started just this decade.
During the condominium boom in the 1990s, the flat of single-floor studios were the norm among property developers. It remains the predominant floor plan to this day. But the growing appreciation for loft living has led to the rise of condos with mixed flat and loft units. The more loft-inspired developers have redrawn the Makati skyline with a few all-loft condominiums.
Bringing the spirit of lofts
For the innovative Eton Properties Philippines, Inc. (EPPI), it is bringing the spirit of the lofts from the bygone eras through the Eton Emerald Lofts. Recio and Casas Architects is helping fulfill this goal of the Lucio Tan Group’s real estate arm.
“The inspiration will always come from the client,” Recio reveals on how they came up with the design. He says the design was based on what Eton Properties wanted: an all-loft building and a loft size that will be easy to sell.
By enhancing space and natural light, a glass recreates the loft ambiance. Thus, the two towers have glass exteriors.
A lot of glass
“There is quite a lot of glass because of the lofts,” the 55-year-old architect explains. A hallmark of Recio and Casas design is simplicity.
“We don’t go for the very ornate exteriors on our project. That’s why if you look at Eton Emerald Lofts, it has very, very simple design,” Recio says.
Recio is referring to the subtle curvature of the two buildings’ longer sides. Such design is inspired by the slight curvature of the Ortigas Center lot bordered by Emerald Avenue, Garnet Street and Sapphire Street.
One of the towers is also shaped like an “L”. Again, this design is dictate by Eton Properties’ objective of maximizing lot usage. Recio adds that the L-shape allows a better view from all loft units.
For the interior, the loft makes a 35-square-meter floor area roomy. Unit owners can amazingly stretch the space further depending on their interior design. How a unit becomes special is by the way unit owners will fix it, Recio says. He suggests a visit to the one-bedroom and two-bedroom model units of Eton Emerald Lofts get a picture of how this can be done. The model units in the site re open for public viewing every day.
Very good investment
The architecture, in combination with its location, makes Eton Emerald Lofts the perfect place to enjoy cosmopolitan living. The condominium is near many shopping malls, workplaces, schools, hospitals and main roads. It is complete with amenities, including swimming pools and a spa.
Recio and schoolmate Carmelo Casas founded their architectural firm in Hong Kong in 1998. Although the Eton Emerald Lofts is their company’s first-ever all-loft project, Recio and Casas’ 20-year expertise and design tradition is making the first all-loft twin tower residential condominium in the country and in Ortigas Center a reality.
For Eton Properties, the Eton Emerald Lofts will be its milestone in property development.