MANILA, Philippines?Location, target market and payment scheme.

These could just be the three reasons Lucio Tan's new condominium project located on Chino Roces Avenue (formerly Pasong Tamo) corner Malugay and Yakal Streets has been attracting middle class and OFW buyers.

And they may also be the reasons Belton Place-a prime development of Eton Properties Philippines, a real estate arm of the Lucio Tan Group of Companies-is holding its own against the two popular Ayala-owned condominium projects-Avida (on Malugay Street) and The Columns (at the corner of Ayala and Sen. Gil Puyat Avenues) that flank it.

Located within one-hectare Belton Square, Belton Place is literally a few steps from Makati's two main thoroughfares-Ayala and Sen. Gil Puyat Avenues (formerly Buendia).

Mixed-use dev't project

Belton Square is envisioned to be a mixed-use development project that will house three residential towers ( Belton Place), a BPO office (Belton Cyberpod Makati) and a 4-star business hotel (Belton Suites). Belton media relations officer Niel Mugas revealed to Inquirer Property that a township project in Makati is indeed a first and thus sets Belton Place apart.

The project targets the lower middle to middle-class segments, with unit prices ranging from P1.4 million (for a studio unit) to P1.9 million (for a one-bedroom unit).

Studio and one-bedroom units range in size from 21 to 35 square meters. Buyers also have the option to combine units to accommodate growing families.

Curious and serious onlookers can peek at the showroom (model units) located at the property site. It features design concepts made exclusively for Belton Place by three of the country's renowned interior design firms: Songsong & Periquet, GMM Designs, and Chat Fores Design Studio.

Payment scheme

Mugas said that because Belton Place targets the lower middle to middle-class segments, Eton has configured payment terms affordable for its market.

A popular payment option is the 10-90 scheme, which requires a 10 percent down payment payable in 12 months, with the remaining 90 percent payable through bank financing. With this setup, payments amount to as little as P10,000/month for 15 to 20 years. Other payment terms are the 20-80 scheme, and the deferred payment scheme of 60-40 to provide more financial flexibility for buyers.

Mugas explained that as far as the OFW market is concerned, Belton Place is eyeing non-US buyers. "Belton Place is currently veering from the US market due to the current economic slowdown. Belton focuses on the European, Canadian and Australian markets."

Local buyers, Mugas said, are young urban professionals, entrepreneurs, first-time investors, and end-users.

Belton Place provides Internet-ready telephone lines, a provision for cable TV, ample water supply, and efficient security and fire protection systems.

Asian touches

Rendering a 30-sq-m one-bedroom unit, the design team of Songsong & Periquet decided to create a contemporary look infused with modern Asian touches.

"We took the best of Filipino items, such as our trademark material ebony wood, and blended it with Oriental design elements," described Joel L. Songsong, a partner of Songsong & Periquet.

Songsong & Periquet also made creative use of lighting, mirror, textures and colors to achieve a cozy atmosphere and create the illusion of space. The overall look of its one-bedroom design is sophisticated and distinctly Asian.

Grace and Chit Milan of GMM Designs, who worked on a 21-sq-m studio unit, likewise utilized a contemporary design to the space, this time with the use of warm woods in mocha, pumpkin and turmeric hues amid comfortable surroundings. "We had to make certain that the space can easily accommodate a couple, so we created a layout that welcomes this possibility. Our model unit boasts of a platform bed and an unusual closet configuration-elements that maximize the use of space," explained Grace.

With such a flexible layout, GMM Designs was able to visually expand the unit without losing the basic elements needed in a home, while cleverly creating an area where residents can shut off from the busy world of business.

The 21-sq-m studio unit designed by Chat Fores of Chat Fores Design Studio, meanwhile, incorporates Belton Place's wellness concept. Fores imparted an earthy feel to her model unit with the use of not only brown, but also another strong accent: a wallpaper with a leafy, fossilized design. "I drew my design inspiration from young couples. Its unique features are the wallpaper and practical furniture I used. I have a round daybed that doesn't really look like a bed or sofa," Fores said.