The veranda of the Serendra model unit opens to an expanse of the famous greenery of of the place, with the poinsettias delivering the holiday feel with their intense red.

No matter how furious the attempt of some developers to contextualize their projects within lofty words such as “luxury” and “exclusivity,” I don’t think that there’s any real estate development that can hold a candle to One Serendra—the exclusive residential enclave located at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) courtesy of Ayala Land Premier (ALP).

For one, Serendra is already there for everyone to see, not as a nice picture in a brochure but a living place where residents already conduct their lives, shopping in the nearby stores, making plans for the holidays and doing last touches here and there in terms of their Christmas décor. Such a luxurious environment calls for its own set of accents and in one dog-day afternoon, I was able to visit a unit at Serandra to closely see how one homeowner designed his place to keep up with the cheer of the season.

As expected, the décor was put on a minimum: no towering Christmas tree strewn with Tivoli lights, no Christmas stockings dangling on the door, no mistletoe that will give one an excuse to kiss. With its predominant black theme (evoked by the drapery, the sofa upholstered in velvet, and the wall accents), the main living hall was a study in class and understatement. Only the available surfaces of the console, dining and coffee tables were utilized to hold crystalline Christmas trees and angels which give off multicolored-lights. The frosted leaves held by an antique vase and the swirl of ribbons hanging on top of the day bed were barely-there touches and would have been missed if not for careful attention. Everything ran along minimalist lines save for the abstract paintings—splashes of dynamic color.

The veranda, however, painted a different picture as it was all about wild growth and the tremendous red of poinsettias. It was this area that afforded me a view of the luxurious side of One Serendra: the surprising pockets of green, the canopied walkway, and the buildings whose dramatic placement seemed to curve along sinuous lines. It was a literal urban sanctuary: the sounds and commotions from the street open to traffic, the nearby shops and the right-across full-scale mall whittled down to nothing, thanks to the greenery and careful planning.

Officials of ALP clearly take pride in how Serandra evokes the peace and quiet of the suburbs while being right smack in the country’s First World model, BGC. “What’s special about One Serendra,” says Melissa Gil, head of residential buildings, “is the fact that once you step inside, you’re enveloped in lush greenery which you won’t find in any other development. Your surroundings make you feel like you’re transported to a different world and you get to enjoy wide-open, serene garden spaces everyday just as if you were living in the suburbs.”

The growing community of One Serandra will include the soon-to-be-completed East Tower, poised at a height of 41 floors, which will share One Serendra’s “expanse of rich, green landscapes, gardens and private pools.” Its emphasis on “relaxed cosmopolitanism”—which at first seems oxymoronic—is possible with larger spaces with updated finishes, spectacular views of the city, a 300 sq.m. putting green, gyms, multiple indoor and outdoor children play areas, social halls and multi-purpose courts and three swimming pools. 

Upping the ante in terms of exclusivity and luxurious comfort are the Sky Garden units and Sky Pool units: private garden or private pool tucked in the homeowners’ personal rooftop deck. “Even in high-rise living, it’s still possible to take advantage of the outdoor architectural elements of a home,” Gil says. “Only a few have the opportunity of owning a lounge pool that gives a view of the city’s horizon, or a living room that flows into a rooftop terrace, perfect for entertaining.”

As a blend of low- and high-rise condominiums set in lush greenery and within spitting range to a variety of conveniences, Serendra offers a unique, defining and (truth-be-told) expensive proposition in city-living.

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In my column last week titled, “Santa Lives Here,” the photographs were taken by Renz Marcelo.

1. The bedroom offers a view to a bachelor’s life with its masculine motif of polished metal-framed mirrors, black beddings and strong, clean lines.

2. Christmas is brought to the living room with the beribboned coffee table books, frosted leaves and miniature Christmas trees set beside antique jars.  

3. The veranda opens to an expanse of the famous greenery of One Serendra, with the poinsettias delivering the holiday feel with their intense red.

4. Balanced by the swirl of colors in an abstract painting, the dining area sparkles with the multi-colored lights emitted by the angels and Christmas trees made from crystal.

5. One Serendra will soon be complemented by East Tower, a 41-story residential building that will share the community’s feel of a suburb right at the heart of the upscale and cosmopolitan Bonifacio Global City.