Haraya Residences in Bridgetowne Is Manila's Next Coveted Address

(SPOT.ph) Somewhere along the borders where Quezon City and Pasig City meet, a new commercial business district is on the rise.

Here’s a bit of an open secret: Bridgetowne has high hopes to rival or at the very least become the next Bonifacio Global City. While BGC very early in its life defined itself with developments like Pacific Plaza Towers and Essensa, Bridgetowne is establishing its identity with key projects like Haraya Residences.

Haraya Residences is a luxury residential development between Shang Properties and Robinsons Land Corporation with a goal to redefine urban living with its “vertical gated village” concept.

From the outside, Haraya Residences easily stands out from other high-rises in Bridgetowne, thanks to the expertise of international design firms FM Architettura, P&T Group, and P Landscape. It's a sleek, curved building devoid of sharp edges. They say there are no sharp corners in the natural world—while not completely true, it does explain Haraya Residences' more organic approach to luxury.

“The shape of the buildings gave us a lot of unique opportunities to create deep spaces that allow residents to feel cocooned in their homes but at the same time enjoy a sense of freedom through the generous outdoor living space,” P&T Group Architect Edgar Cozzio explained.

What to expect at Haraya Residences in Bridgetowne

Two towers make up Haraya Residences. The South Tower houses 558 units of one-, two-, and three-bedroom configurations across 57 storeys overlooking the Marikina River. It offers low-density living with only ten units per floor, offering exclusivity hard to find in luxury high-rise condominiums that pack in 15 to 20 units per floor.

Shang Properties Sales Manager Ian Bautista told SPOT.ph why this particular high-rise is a cut above the rest: “In Haraya, all of the units are individually unique per floor. That’s the level of detail and attention we give to clients. That’s what luxury is—unique.” The bedroom units come in various layouts, each tailored to accommodate different lifestyles and preferences. 

But the sensual beauty of Haraya's curved walls also meant challenges: the architects had to get creative in maximizing the interior spaces. The small spaces have been transformed into cozy nooks for reading, gaming, or just relaxing under the creative direction of Francesca Muzio of FM Artitecttura D’interni.

The one-bedroom unit reimagines the traditional condo unit layout by adding flexible space and a loggia that extends the living room, while the two-bedroom unit features expansive windows from the living room to the guest and master bedrooms, offering panoramic views of Bridgetowne. The master bedroom includes a spacious en suite bathroom and a walk-in closet.

Meanwhile, the three-bedroom unit embodies Haraya Residences' unique al fresco-inspired design. Privacy is also taken to another level as each unit comes with a private lift. 

No matter how exclusive the unit is, it won’t mean a thing if the reality of the outside world doesn’t match it. This is how the idea of a “vertical gated village” came to be.

“We wanted to give that feel that you’re in a gated community,” Bautista said. 

He mentioned how the broader layout of Bridgetowne reflects this philosophy, placing the exclusive residential areas at the center, the commercial spaces around the border, and the office buildings on the outskirts. This configuration allows for an environment that feels expansive without being overwhelming, much unlike the dense urban sprawl of Makati City.

Who then is the ideal Haraya dweller?

“We tap into previous unit owners and their referrals as our primary market…We’re very particular about high-level clients,” Bautista said. Think homeowners in nearby upscale subdivisions like Greenmeadows in Quezon City and Valle Verde in Pasig City. Specifically, these are expanding families in search of a larger home, or newly married couples who have been gifted with homes by their affluent parents.

Already all floors with three-bedroom units in the South Tower have sold out, Bautista shared. It's the smaller units that remain for sale.

This demand for bigger spaces is set to influence the way the forthcoming North Tower will be built, which will be brought to the market by the third quarter of 2024.

Also read: How Much Are Houses in the Most Expensive Subdivisions of Metro Manila?

"Step outside into the heart of your home"

Less than a kilometer away lies another one of Bridgetowne’s luxurious residential developments—The Velaris Residences. Compared to Haraya, it offers a more cosmopolitan approach to luxury living. But where style, technology, and convenience are highlighted at Velaris, Haraya prioritizes a sense of home beyond the unit.

The perfect example of this is the inclusion of loggias in every Haraya unit. Those who live in a condominium know all too well that protruding balconies often end up as neglected spaces, only used for drying laundry in a very Filipino fashion, if not gathering dust and leaves.

Instead of a balcony, Muzio turned to the Italian-inspired loggias to create “living spaces that you actually live in” while being protected from the elements.

Loggias are extended, covered terraces that provide a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor living spaces. A curvilinear glass partition acts as the barrier between the two, so it feels like an extension of the living room that's not boxed in. 

“Nowadays, the boundaries between indoor and outdoor spaces are more fluid. The idea of loggia is something really powerful—it’s a step outside into the heart of your home,” Muzio said. 

This vision also extends to the experience outside of the actual unit. The lobby is homey, featuring muted fall colors that immediately give off a sense of warmth and comfort to those who enter. 

The amenities go beyond the usual gym and pool offerings as well, with a viewing room (for music and entertainment), library, playroom (with poker table, foosball, billiards), studio (for collaborative work), massage room, sauna, and chef’s kitchen (to host a large group of people that otherwise can’t fit in the unit). Did we mention Haraya Residences is pet-friendly, too?

“All of the amenities is an extension of what you will [usually] have to sacrifice for a condo. Most condos in Metro Manila focus so much on what’s inside. We want our clients to feel that our amenities are an extension of their apartment,” Bautista said. 

With Haraya Residences in the picture, you can soon forget your literal white picket fence dreams. Sure, your wallet might feel a lot lighter, but to be the envy of every other high-rise dweller in the city? Priceless.

For more information, call 0917-542-7292 or visit the official website.