From the time the first building was erected—the Monterey Apartments in the 1950s, now replaced by the Pacific Plaza condominium—its enviable location has made it a preferred address for the well-to-do and discerning, even as newer luxury enclaves have emerged.
Rising on ‘The Ridge’
In the early 1980s, Apartment Ridge experienced a construction boom. With three structures already there, Ayala Investment and Development Corp. (AIDC)—the now-defunct entity behind the Ayala Group’s early foray into investment banking—proposed an upscale condominium project that would soon become a signature landmark in the area: The Twin Towers.
Architect Willy V. Coscolluela of W.V. Coscolluela and Associates recalls, in an exclusive interview, that Jovencio Cinco, president of AIDC and a personal friend, approached him to take on the Twin Towers—a project close to his heart.
The brief, he said, was for a residential development catering to the upper class—“those who used to live in large houses and want to scale down” and “older ones who now prefer to live on one level.”
In keeping with his mandate to design a 27-story luxury high-rise, Coscolluela took the bold step of allocating just two units per floor.
“It’s one of the first, I think, to have large cuts,” he says, referring to the generous layouts, with typical three-bedroom units measuring roughly 271 square meters, making for 98 units in total.
Another innovation was the elevator design, which opens directly into each unit’s private foyer—“to make it grand, so when you reach your unit you have your own lobby.” “We started it…actually we call them hospital elevators,” he says, alluding to how the doors open back-to-back. “No other condo then tried that approach.”
(When asked if he ever lived in the building, Architect Willy quipped: “I can’t afford it!”)
While units at Twin Towers do not have balconies, the windows offer panoramic views of the city beyond. With the towers’ architectural design falling under the Brutalist mold—the appreciation of which has seen a resurgence—Architect Willy admits that his design drew mixed reactions, although opinions seem to have softened over time.
Still, he points to key elements that make one of his favorite undertakings stand out: the carefully selected “washout” concrete facade from Bohol and the addition of clay tile roofs, meant “to soften the look and give it a Filipino touch”.
Standing strong
With D.M. Consunji as general contractor and R.S. Caparros as engineers, the Twin Towers opened their doors in January 1982.
More than 40 years later, the “grand dame” remains in excellent condition under the care of Ayala Land’s Ayala Property Management Corp. (APMC), led by property manager Ailyn B. Leonardo of the Twin Towers Condominium Residential Business Group.
After an eight-year stint at another Ayala property, Woodside Homes, a horizontal community, Ailyn assumed her post in March 2020, overseeing security, housekeeping, and maintenance.
“It’s an iconic building,” she says. “The majority of the residents are Filipinos, while tenants are mostly expats. Our occupancy rate is at 90 percent.” Residents, she adds, value the property's central location—“they enjoy the fact that we’re right in the heart of Makati.” Expats in particular appreciate its walkability, with the property offering direct access to Ayala Avenue.
Up to the challenge
Maintaining a building of its age comes with challenges, but Ailyn says these are addressed through the quality of APMC’s work and the value it upholds.
“We set the standard—we’re number one,” she says. “And every so often, we improve our processes.”
At present, APMC holds certifications for ISO 9001 (Quality), ISO 14001 (Environment), ISO 45001 (Health and Safety), and ISO 50001 (Energy).
It also helps, Ailyn notes, that Twin Towers is “structurally pulido” and “a very good building.” The team keeps a close watch on potential leaks while ensuring the preventive maintenance of equipment.
“We’ve installed new air-conditioning units, CCTV cameras, and replaced existing bulbs with LEDs for sustainability and conservation.”
For added security, access cards are now also in use. During the time of our interview, a full electrical audit was being conducted while the upgrading of transformers had just been concluded. Also slated is the refurbishment of the spacious and airy lobby, which is accented by interlocking wooden beams said to have been inspired by the Ayala Corporation logo.
People management
Central to Ailyn’s role is people management: she leads six maintenance personnel, 13 security guards, and 12 housekeeping staff, including elevator operators. She also coordinates with the condo board, which is pleased with how things are run.
“We have a delegation of work,” says Ailyn, noting that she and her team also attend closely to residents’ needs (among them a shipping magnate and a landed heiress) all anchored on APMC’s promise of “our service, your peace of mind.”
“In every concern, I think it’s important that they feel you’re aligned with them and that you give feedback right away.”
In line with this, Ailyn has taken the initiative to introduce programs like Catholic Mass services in coordination with Santuario de San Antonio in Forbes Park and fitness sessions for wellness.
All these efforts have been instrumental in bolstering Twin Towers' status and the prestige attached to it. Proof of which, as Ailyn confirms, is the upswing in rental rates as well as the going price of units in the secondary market.
A woman leader
As a woman on the job, she doesn’t hesitate to say that she brings a certain level of power, especially when negotiating. She also considers herself a manager who empowers and listens, a trait that Rose Tayag of housekeeping, who has been with Twin Towers since January 1992, beginning as an elevator girl, supports.
“Even if we get tired we’re happy here,” Tayag shares in Filipino. “Tapos may manager kami na supportive.” “I learn from them,” Ailyn adds.
A lasting partnership
“APMC has remained the property manager of Twin Towers through the years because of the trust and partnership it has built with the community,” shares Tony Martin, president of APMC, which currently has over 85 residential towers in its portfolio.
“The company recognizes that continuity is earned through consistent performance and dependable service.”
In a market crowded with newer, flashier developments, Twin Towers shows that when a thoughtful, classic design is paired with steady stewardship and active management, longevity is very much possible. —Ed: Corrie S. Narisma
Features Reporter
