Davao developers shifting to medium, high-end units
(Source:Edge Davao/07 December)

The world’s economy may have been affected by the recession, but this has not stopped Dabawenyos from changing their demands from socialized housing to a more expensive and classy middle-class housing.

Davao used to be a haven for low-cost housing developers, that’s why you will see socialized housing from north to south. Evidence of this is the thriving real estate development business of Henry Lopez Chua who has been developing low-cost housing in the city for the past 25 years.

If there is one thing common among Emily Homes, Margarita Homes Village, Bayside Subdivision, Dona Luisa Subdivision and Hillside Subdivision, aside from their low-cost homes, it would be the fact that these housing developments were developed under Chua’s Housing Group.

Kisan Lu is also another pioneering company when it comes to the development of socialized housing. However, it has shifted from building low-cost homes to high-end communities.

“HLC Construction has realized that after 25 years in the socialized housing business there is a market segment in Davao that is looking for homes that have a higher quality than the low-cost homes,” Hemeni Land Corporation vice president Andrea Leah Romero said.

Romero said this is an untapped segment composed of middle class individuals and families who can well afford homes that are more expensive than the socialized housing package but cannot afford the more expensive higher-end housing projects.
HLC Group

Raring to conquer the emerging market segment, the company started in late 2008 the development of a middle class housing project, but with amenities offered only by high-class housing developments. This development, known as Chula Vista, consists of 430 units equally divided into bungalows and two-storey houses.

To make sure that everything is legal and in order, Chula Vista only started selling after they got all the permits and the exact appropriations from Pag-Ibig and the banks.
“While the typical housing developments offer you homes that almost look alike, we offer up to seven different model units with different color schemes so buyers can customize their homes according to their taste,” Hemeni’s Dennis Molina said. The smallest unit measures 108 square meters while the bigger ones measure 299 square meters. All the two-storey houses will come with their own verandas.

Chula Vista may be a middle class subdivision, but it offers amenities only available in high-end subdivisions. Romero said this is the only fully-landscaped middle class subdivision in the city with a common swimming pool, basketball court and a clubhouse. It also comes with its own guardhouse with 24/7 security. Even the landscaping was designed by Davao-bred and UP professor Mary Ann Aranas Espina.

To maximize the comfort of the residents, the subdivision roads measure like the minimum road requirement for high-end subdivisions such as a 12-meter wide main road and 8.5-meter wide inner roads.

The Spanish-inspired subdivision, which is located in Cabantian, is also very accessible and is only a ride away by public transportation.

Romero said half of their market are overseas Filipino workers while the rest are businessmen and small and medium entrepreneurs. Phase 1 of the project has been completed, and almost 20% has already been sold. Marketing officer Candice Protacio said they are also eyeing retirees who may want to invest in Davao City.
Environment-friendly

The whole Chula Vista subdivision occupies an estimated 8.5 hectares but each square foot of the subdivision is safe from flooding. It has 15 underground drainagecanals and is the only subdivision with seven dry wells to make sure that excess rainwater is siphoned off. The developer has also installed a water treatment facility to make sure the subdivision does not leave so much environmental footprint.

An estimated P65 million was spent for land development and the bulk of that went towards the construction of environment-friendly facilities.
Kisan Lu Realty

Another developer known for their extensive low-cost housing projects the past 20 years is Kisan Lu, which has now also diversified into more classy and expensive housing developments such as the Amiya Resort Residences.

Kisan Lu Realty, Inc. joined the real industry in 1989 and has so far constructed over 20 units of commercial development and over 10,000 residential units. The company became known for building affordable socialized homes for the masses.

When the children of founder Kisan D. Lu took over, headed by Architect Kristin L. Lu, the company started to diversify and focus on more innovative and quality products not only in Davao City but also in General Santos City, Cagayan de Oro City and Tagum City.

Among Kisan Lu’s socialized housing projects are the NHA homes all over the city, the Sarangani Homes in General Santos City and Xavier Heights in Cagayan de Oro City. Its newest and most innovative project to date is the multi-million Amiya Resort Residences which was launched a few months ago.

The new development gets inspiration from Thailand, so you can expect the sprouting of a Thai-themed community complete with state-of-the-art amenities like the 1,500 square meter salt chlorinated infinity pool, a Clubhouse Complex, restaurants and basketball courts.

Vista Land
Among the first to realize Davao City’s growing demand for medium and high-end housing developments is Vista Land which operates under the brand Camella Homes and Communities. What is unique about Vista is its ability to cater to almost all housing niches and all income levels.

Camella came to Davao City as early as 1997 and was among the first to offer high-end developments, including the Caribbean-inspired Solariega, the Italian-themed Toscana and the nature-inspired Positano.

The sprouting of condominium developments in the city are already indicators of the changing landscape and mindset among Dabawenyos. But if you find these condominiums too expensive, then thank these developers because there is an option to get quality housing units with high-end facilities but with very affordable prices.

If the growth of an area’s real estate industry is a gauge of its development, then the entry of Vista Land and the existing and planned developments by local companies like HLC Group and Kisan Lu are enough indicators that Davao City is indeed poised for more development.