Empire East's city living solutions tomorrow, anticipated

PHILIPPINES — Property developer Empire East turns 26 years of building self-sustaining communities in and beyond Metro Manila. In 1994, the company entered the market as a condo builder for the broad C niche. It began a string of residential concepts like loft-type developments to cater to the Filipino demands of a home unit that maximized spaces according to their needs.

INNOVATION AMID THE CRISIS

During the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, just when the company’s business has begun its upward trajectory, the financial crisis threatened Philippine companies to close down. Founder and Chairman Dr. Andrew L. Tan appointed President and CEO, Atty. Anthony Charlemagne Yu, armed with a background in law and humanitarian experience, to help steer the company afloat.

As a leader, he aimed to understand the core of the company’s operations and determine ways to improve efficiency. He implemented energy and resource-saving rules down from paper recycling to light and water conservation practices. He also performed an open door policy so that employees may feel safe and assured of a leader who listens to their needs.

“I remember that time, the company was anxious about having a new president. But when we saw how hard he worked, even immersing himself at construction sites to experience the real needs of our workers, I knew that we are in good hands,” says an Empire East officer.

RESPONSIVE AND PREEMPTIVE HOMEBUILDING

What Yu did internally was observed externally, especially with the projects that Empire East has made. Atty. Yu went straight to the core of the needs of Filipino homebuyers who were in the middle of an unstable economy then.

“I thought if our own managers and supervisors could not even afford our products, how can we claim to our market that we are indeed a company that offers affordable condos”? Yu remembered himself asking.

ZERO DOWNPAYMENT,  THANKS TO YU

And so, Atty. Yu boldly implemented the Zero Downpayment scheme at the surprise of other industry players. “If the downpayment, amounting to hundreds of thousands of pesos, was the only thing hindering a working individual from achieving his dream of having a home, then we abolished it,” remembers Yu.

Despite keeping what little money the company has left, Empire East built more homes in response to the needs of the market. Its first horizontal development, the Laguna Bel-Air in Santa Rosa City, sold out at record-breaking pace.

FLEXIBLE TERMS, BRINGING BACK TRUST

As if abolishing the downpayment is not enough, under Yu’s supervision, flexible payment terms have been approved. This was the company’s response to the seemingly frugal market because of the building fear of the future. But because Empire East’s values stand on a strong belief in the future, it became an instrument for renewing the market’s trust in homeownership, and again adjusted to the homebuyers’ demands.

Empire East was the first and only company to allow in-house payment for as long as fifteen years — understanding every household’s need to budget every month.

*Empire East’s terms have since been updated.

FROM LOFTY TO LOFT-TYPE

There had been a clamor for having a home with maximized space. Old flat condos only had one level, so Empire East innovated and created a second floor to serve the market demands to have a separate area for living rooms and bedrooms.

THE BIRTH OF A COMMUNITY

Since then, Empire East has been known for both flexible payment terms and optimization in home designs. The company built micro-cities that are self-sustaining residential projects employing a live-work-play narrative. The office, schools, market, and transit options are just around the project’s vicinity, offering a total lifestyle enjoyment for its homeowners.

TRANSIT ORIENTED DEVELOPMENTS

Through the years, the market’s demands keep changing, and Empire East keeps adapting and innovating. It even employs high-caliber engineers and architects, and partners with efficient contractors. It consults with top urban planners to ensure that it is serving the market needs and desires.

From the market’s need to stay connected to their vital touchpoints like malls, schools and offices, Empire East created transit-oriented developments (TODs) that aimed to bridge residences to efficient transit systems like railways directly.

Some examples are San Lorenzo Place in Makati City that is directly connected to the MRT 3’s Magallanes station, and Pioneer Woodlands in Mandaluyong City that is directly connected to the MRT-3 Boni Avenue station. These connections offer homeowners the chance to choose more sustainable transit options as they leave their cars behind, which curb carbon footprint.

“Living in San Lorenzo Place makes me feel empowered with so many options. I can always drive my car safely to the office, and I can visit my family on the weekends with just a train ride,” says homeowner Shiela R.

Other TODs like Little Baguio Terraces in San Juan City and Covent Garden in Santa Mesa, Manila, are nearby LRT-2 stations that can easily transport students to their universities quicker.

URBAN RESORTS

Since Empire East caters mostly to families and professionals who are kept busy in the city for business or work, there has been a strong demand for a home that can make them feel like on vacation all year round. Thus, Empire East responded with resort-type homes like the Kasara Urban Resort Residences in Pasig City – a six-tower residential development with a beautiful lake-inspired swimming pool centerpiece.

“I truly feel like I’m in a vacation-everyday experience. It feels nice to come home with this beautiful pool view and gardens,” shares homeowners Franco N.

Another urban resort is The Rochester in Pasig City, which wows with a mesmerizing view of its lap pool and tropical gardens.

CRISIS-RESILIENT RESIDENCES

As the world battles a health crisis, all the homes that Empire East has built through 26 years have proven to be one of the best types of help in times of need. Communities have responded in action and “bayanihan” raising funds and helping one another get through day by day.

Homeowners have even positively expressed their joy and pride for being part of a community that cares for one another. Nobody gets left behind.

“I am so overwhelmed at how our community guards, maintenance staff, and fellow neighbors have chosen to respond with love and courage when we need it the most. I am so happy I live here,” says homeowner Thea D. from Cambridge Village in Pasig-Cainta.

SUSTAINABLE FROM  THE BEGINNING

Throughout Empire East’s history, just by listening to the needs of the market, Empire East was able to solve thousands of city living qualms and proactively respond to market demands. President Anthony Charlemagne Yu has the sustainability of the company and its communities in mind all along. And true enough, all the decisions for home designs, strategic locations, and payment offerings are slowly serving its fruit.

Because of communities built with stores and markets, homeowners can stock up on their daily essentials like food, vitamins, virus-killers, and alcohols with ease. Residents are also nearby money-sending establishments that allow them to send money to their loved ones in the provinces and abroad. Clinics and hospitals are just a drive away so they can easily have their checkup. All these conveniences are due to the forward-thinking leadership of Atty. Yu and Empire East.

ON TO A MORE SUSTAINABLE AND RESILIENT ROAD – THE RISE OF EMPIRE EAST HIGHLAND CITY

This is why even during a crisis, Empire East’s vision is clear – to tread the path to more sustainable roads and resilient developments.

Recently, Empire East launched its newest development along Felix Avenue in Pasig-Cainta, the Empire East Highland City. This 24-hectare development offers four phases – an open park called Highland Park, a lifestyle mall named Highland Mall, a membership-only sports club dubbed as The Chartered Club, and 37 condominium towers named Highland Residences.

Empire East Highland City is indeed committed to a sustainable path, given the ever-changing demands of homebuyers for a safe, secure, and self-sustaining community.

Empire East Highland City shall adhere to the United Nations (UN) Sustainability Development Goal (SDG) number 11, the “Sustainable Cities and Communities.” We will ensure that Empire East Highland City shall be a safe, walkable, and bikeable community with wide and efficient road systems and an allotted bike and walk lanes for its residents.

The company is also aiming for SDG number 5 that strives for the use of “affordable and clean energy.” So only energy-efficient appliances, bulbs, and materials shall be used in its malls and towers. All structures shall also be designed to help reduce energy loss and consumption by installing high-quality windows, doors and LED lights with sensors to manage air ventilation and light flow further.

Empire East Highland City shall also have green transportation options with nearby MRT-4 Cainta Junction station and LRT-2 extension Emerald station. The property shall also host an improved indoor and outdoor environment by incorporating eco-friendly features such as greeneries and wide open spaces, including solar-powered street lights.

Conservation of resources and waste repurposing shall also be prioritized through the implementation of sustainable practices such as rainwater collection and proper disposal of wastes. The Highland Mall and Highland Park shall also be embedded in its operations.

CITY LIVING SOLUTIONS TOMORROW, ANTICIPATED TODAY

As the company celebrates 26 years, it only has today and tomorrow in mind. “We will continue treading the path that is best for all our stakeholders. We hope to be part of your home-buying decisions in the next 26 and more years to come,” says Yu.

ASIA’S BEST PERFORMING COMPANY

Empire East has just recently been awarded as ASIA’s best-performing company in the Asia Corporate Excellence and Sustainability (ACES) Awards organized by the MORS Group.

In 2019, in time for the Company’s 25th anniversary, it announced seven tower completions, a total of 2,180 completed units, 37 CSR programs, 4,000 families helped, and financial growth of 14% increase worth P615 million. All these contributed significantly to this timely recognition.

“All these awards and recognitions are a testament of our steadfast commitment to helping improve our service to the homeowners and stakeholders,” shared Empire East President and CEO Atty. Anthony Charlemagne Yu.

as published on Daily Tribune