Suites for a 5-star lifestyle

IF you want to have

an idea of what the

residential suites of

two new residential

condominiums rising

in Metro Manila have

to offer, see their

facsimiles at the

World Center, Sen.

Gil Puyat Avenue,

Makati City.

The Paseo Parkview Tower at corner

Valero-Sedeno Streets, Makati City and the Marina

Square Service Apartments (or Marina Square

Residential Suites) on M.H. del Pilar in Ermita,

Manila, are both still under different stage of

construction. Marina Square is ready for

occupancy while the Paseo Parkview is scheduled

to open in 2003.

Both model suites are compact units with all the

amenities and comforts of a big hotel. While making

room for young executive couples, they are

generally for people "who have earned their place

at the top." This is a status that shows in the

lavish use of reflective glass, granite and concrete

throughout the 38 floors of Paseo Parkview and

the 32 floors of Marina Square.

There are two- and three-bedroom suites available

but, to us, the one-bedroom affairs offer more

creativity within their allotted space, resulting in

interiors of comfort and understated elegance.

One enters the Paseo Parkview Tower's

one-bedroom suite through a short hallway graced

by a hall table and painting at one side, and the

kitchen, roomy enough to hold important

appliances and lots of storage space, at the other.

Opposite is the bathroom, complete with

glass-enclosed shower area.

Next to the kitchen is the dining room with its

bleached wood furniture that easily seats four.

Printed tablecloth, matching napkins and floral

centerpiece set the colorful tone of the whole

suite. Overhead is a chandelier with carrot-shaped

frosted glass lights.

A step away is the living room with sink-in sofa

and armchairs. Room divider here is a console with

glass-lined shelves for books and bric-a-brac.

Mirrors add to the illusion of space, and glass, a

touch of see-through elegance.

At the other side of the divider is the bedroom

where divider/wall and headboard are padded in a

soft, muted print. The breakfast tray on the bed

suggests an upscale lifestyle that residents are

encouraged to enjoy. A door opens to a balcony,

ideal for planting a pocket garden, but best of all,

for taking in the cityscape.

Optimum use of space is a dictum the World Center

design group follows to the hilt. This group,

incidentally, is responsible for the interiors of both

Paseo Parkview and Marina Square. Not surprising,

therefore, to see the space between living room

and bedroom filled by a desk and accompanying

chair that also double as vanity table.

Service apartments

Marina Square has a similar layout as that of Paseo

Parkview, with one small difference-the kitchen,

located at the entry point, opens at the dining

room end through a counter that also serves as

bar. Space in the kitchen is maximized by the

pentagonal contour of its work area that allows for

efficient and freewheeling activity.

At left of the dining room are the bedroom and

bath. The dining and living areas are defined by a

low divider that serves as shelf for both sides. The

living area has the customary seating

arrangements with the advantage that soft drapes

open to a window with a view of the sunset or

nightlights of the city.

Color and a cheerful ambience are enhanced by

the presence of fresh flowers throughout the suite,

principally on dining and coffee tables, and

paintings of the appropriate size and on

appropriate places.

A description of the Marina-which goes for Paseo

Parkview as well-is that it offers "a five-star way

of life." This is believable inasmuch as residents

here, as in most hotels, don't have to worry about

their housekeeping. There is a special staff in both

places to do the job.

Besides being previews of what to expect in these

two prestigious addresses, both suites provide

valuable ideas on how beautiful interiors can be

put together with lots of creativity and a working

knowledge of space utilization.