A GETAWAY FROM THE MADDING CROWD
THE advent of the Covid-19 pandemic has driven Filipinos to appreciate more of nature and pursue a suburban way of living. In this lifestyle, residents have found solace and a cleaner environment toward a healthier lifestyle.
Moving to Freia at Pico de Loro Cove is one of the options for individuals who want to get away from the madding crowd found in the city life. Located in Nasugbu, Batangas, the prime leisure resort community is dubbed by developer SM Prime’s Costa Del Hamilo Inc. as a fitting apex and the most luxurious after eight mid-rise residential condominium developments in the sprawling 40-hectare estate. It added that Freia at Pico de Loro Cove offers prime units with panoramic views of the West Philippine Sea and Mount Pico. Moreover, the company said Freia guarantees the seclusion, security and serenity required for a quick recharge or remote business supervision. Travel is not a hassle as it is a mere half-hour drive to Nasugbu town proper and an hour and a half commute to Metro Manila.
Global design firm Broadway Malyan gave Freia a luxury setting highligthted by a visually pleasing shape—a singular panoramic rectangular structure with three towers suggestive of a mountain range—and a layout—lots of open spaces for air flow—that would make residents feel that Freia is a special spot in the inlet.
Located in a beachfront resortcommunity, Freia has lots of open spaces to enable residents to feel the sea breeze along the corridors, covered walkways and inside the spacious residences with oversized balconies. Moreover, Freia has a lot of shaded areas and pockets of landscape to provide cooling and health benefits.
The tandem of Broadway Malyan and architect Arni Villanueva of GF + Partners Architect, has produced a contemporary tropical architecture that shows the expansive views of the sea, mountains and man-made Pico Lagoon.
Villanueva added the local suppliers provided the materials to lessen the carbon footprint.
Potential buyers will be delighted that Freia offers generous sizes of the two-bedroom condos from 67 sq m to 154 sq m, while the cuts of three-bedroom loft penthouses, range from 221 to 392 sq m, are as large as a house. To ensure privacy and space comfort, Freia has built only 223 units.
“Units are outfitted with highquality fixtures to assure the security and well-being of its residents,’’ said Villanueva.
“Other condo developments come with a bare concrete ceiling which makes it challenging to renovate or install fixtures. Freia’s units are built with a drop ceiling for easy placement of lighting fixtures and flexibility in lighting design,” he added.
As a luxury condominium, dwellers are assured of the luxuries in life with exclusive amenities such as pools for adults and children, two function rooms, a cabana and themed gardens, designed by landscape architect Crearis.
Furthermore, each unit comes with a Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club individual membership share bundled with the condo price.
Since it’s a five-minute walk to the shoreline, residents can go to the beach anytime of the day.
While the sea view units inspire a socially active lifestyle, the hillside units are great for appreciating nature. While the sea view units are exposed to the action on the beach, the mountain view units lend solitude and quiet.
Designed with the owner as the end-user, Freia’s units are not to be leased for rentals, thus giving another layer of security aside from the stringent club membership screening.
There’s a convenience store at the Country Club so residents can order gourmet meals from Pico de Loro Cove’s three restaurants that can be served in their homes. For the health needs, there is a clinic that can assist in first-aid needs while a 24-hour ambulance service can bring patients to the nearest hospital in Nasugbu. For religious matters such as masses, the St. Therese of the Child Jesus, commonly known as the Glass Chapel, whose transparent walls bring the landscape inside.
Ultimately, the Freia lifestyle starts by waking up to crisp air and finishes to the symphony of crickets and other sounds—a lovely way to start the day by bonding with Mother Nature.