Up until the last decade, the luxury condominium was defined by state-of-the-art techniques and imported materials such as Italian granite or Indian slate. But when developer Filinvest launched Botanika Nature Residences in Muntinlupa, it took the organic path. It sought to situate itself in the tropical climate, using local materials.
This November, intrepid developer Jose E.B. Antonio will try to outdo himself—yet again. In 1996, he took a major gamble by building his first luxury condominium, Essensa East Forbes, at the then-undeveloped Bonifacio Global City. It was designed by the firm of architecture icon I.M. Pei.
