MANILA, Philippines?Forget the impersonal, business-like hotel atmosphere. A home should be as warm and full of character as the family that resides in it. Bring back that homey air into condo living with this residential high-rise especially designed with the human dweller in mind.

The 32-storey Illumina Residences Manila by DCMI Homes not only has a balcony in every home regardless of size; it also gives everyone a view of the verdant greens right inside the building. Every five storeys, a landscaped atrium is built so no matter what floor you decide to live in, you see your share of a garden. That also means more natural light coming in, better ventilation and refreshment to the eyes.

?What you get are real balconies, not pseudo-ones where all you can do is place a pot of plant,? said Butch G. Berin, project development manager of Illumina Residences Manila. ?We deliver to our clients exactly what we promise.?

And that?s a word of honor that comes with an affordable price tag for real middle-income earners. How affordable? Studio units, with floor area of approximately 24 sqm plus a 4.5-sqm balcony, start as low as P1.4 million. The two-bedroom, with 48 sqm plus a 9-sqm balcony, starts at P2.7 million.

Designed with a unique T-shaped architecture, corridors are single-loaded with all units to one side. Residents won?t have to put up with a view of another door right in front of theirs. They will have even more privacy as there are an average of only 17 units per floor.

Located on P. Sanchez Street, Sta. Mesa, Manila, Illumina Residences Manila is in a 6,935.5-sqm land area. Environmental concerns were also considered such that the condominium was designed and built around the heritage trees in the property.

A grand drop-off is located up front so that the building doesn?t open directly to the street below, with a reception lobby inside. Illumina Residences Manila will have a 24-hour security and overhead water tank. It has three high-speed elevators and ample parking space for the convenience of its residents.

With a generous amount of the space devoted to amenities and sprawling greens, children will have more space to run while adults can have the luxury of enjoying the outdoors while living in a high-rise.

Illumina Residences Manila has its own Study Hall, with free Wi-Fi Internet access for its residents. Other luxury amenities include a lap pool, fitness gym, deck garden, function room that comfortably sits up to 50, and a lanai area to spend lazy afternoons on.

?Because we are targeting real middle-income segments, we choose locations that are accessible to schools, hospitals and commercial establishments without having to live within the busy Central Business District itself,? Mary Maylanie L. Precilla, director for marketing, said.

To make it even more convenient to its residents, the building will also offer various services for a minimum fee, such as car wash, water station, laundry pick-up service and newspaper delivery. All these are manned by a team of professionals.

Due for official turnover in 2011, units come complete with finished flooring and ceiling, cupboards and tiles.

DMCI Homes is the country?s first Triple-A builder/developer, that offers modest income-earning families optimum value for their money by providing homes with exceptional features and amenities, world-standard level of craftsmanship borne out of more than 50 years of experience in the construction and development industry.

For inquiries on Illumina Residences Manila and other DMCI Homes projects, call 8883333 or log on to www.dmcihomes.com today.

FLOOR PLANS:
Studio Unit: approximately 24 sqm plus 4.5 sqm balcony
Two-bedroom unit: approximately 48 sqm plus 9 sqm balcony
Two-bedroom mid unit: approximately 55 sqm plus 13.5 sqm balcony
Three-bedroom end unit, approximately 66 sqm plus two balconies of 9 sqm and 7 sqm.

AMENITIES: Lap pool, fitness gym, deck garden, function room, study hall, lanai

BUILDING FEATURES: Grand drop-off entrance, landscaped atriums every five floors, reception lobby, three high-speed elevators, CCTV, 24-hour security, single-loaded corridors, balconies in all units, overhead water tank, ample parking space