Arthaland Launches Lucima in Cebu City

Cebu City, Philippines/July 05, 2021. Arthaland, the only real estate developer in the Philippines with a portfolio which is 100% certified as sustainable, has once again put Cebu City on the global map for green buildings as it breaks ground today on Lucima. Arthaland is recognized by both local and global organizations for its focus on sustainability, wellness, high quality and superior design.

“We want to share our vision and commitment to different parts of the country. Cebu is the best place to start it off in the South for Arthaland, following the success of our company’s office building development, the Cebu Exchange,” said Jaime C. González, Vice Chairman and President.

This 37-story development that sits on 2,245 square meters of prime real estate at the corner of Cardinal Rosales Avenue and Samar Loop in Cebu Business Park is envisioned to be the first quadruple-certified sustainable high-rise residential condominium in the country. It has earned pre-certification for LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold by the U.S. Green Building Council. It is vying for WELLTM (WELL Building Standard), EDGE® (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), and BERDE (Building for Ecologically Responsive Design Excellence) certifications.

“Cebu is fast gaining prominence as a leading regional hub and preferred location for some of the most renowned global institutions. Investors and locators alike can look to Lucima to set the standard of luxury living in the city through its timeless design, meticulously executed construction, and thoughtful sustainability features,” said Christopher G. Narciso, Executive Vice President, Arthaland.

Coined from the Latin word “Lux” which means light, and the Spanish word “Estima” which means appreciation, light and its benefits are the inspiration behind the building’s aesthetics, functionality, and energy efficiency. Light gives a solid architectural narrative, dictating what space feels like. Carefully planned features will allow abundant light to penetrate inside the homes while preventing indoor heat gain. Light also impacts our mental and physical health as it has been proven to promote enhanced mood and productivity.

Designed by Saraiva + Associados, an internationally renowned architectural firm based in Lisbon, Portugal, Lucima features 263 one to five-bedroom living spaces ranging from 38 to 542 square meters. Saravia + Associados’ human-centered design approach puts comfort, functionality, and aesthetics at the center of every project they undertake. Each unit boasts a high floor-to-ceiling height of 2.9 meters, and residents can enjoy a view of the ocean, the mountains, or the city.

“The goal of this project was to design an iconic building in the city that would engage with its surroundings. This building sits on a podium – a podium with personality – which will showcase a vertically well-designed and integrated building. Its façade will have different interpretations depending on the solar incidence and depending on how it is viewed from the outside to the inside,” said Architect Miguel Saraiva, CEO and Founder, Saraiva + Associados.

Carefully planned with health, safety, and security in mind, Lucima is the ideal address heading into the future as residents will benefit from lower electric and water bills and improved indoor air quality. Through its efficient building envelope and use of energy- efficient air-conditioning and lighting system and low flow plumbing features, residents and tenants can achieve at least 40% savings in electricity bills and at least 20% savings in water consumption. Each unit will have an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV) that improves indoor air quality by bringing in fresh, filtered air while controlling the humidity for thermal comfort. The ERV is equipped with highly efficient air filters, the same grade used for laboratories, to prevent harmful microbes and pathogens from entering the space. This results in reduced incidents of cold, fewer allergies, and a better quality of sleep. The units are also air-tight, where the main door and windows are mechanically designed, to prevent unwanted dust, sound, and odor transmission between spaces for better acoustic and indoor air quality. As with other Arthaland developments, Lucima will have its own Potager Garden to provide residents with fresh, organic, and nutritious produce.

To ensure the utmost peace of mind and to guarantee the building retains its value, Arthaland’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Emera Property Management, shall handle every aspect of Lucima’s upkeep and day-to-day management. It is committed to advancing comfort, security, safety, and wellness by introducing key technologies such as remote virtual concierge and semi-autonomous surveillance robots that promote a safer, contactless environment.

Lucima is scheduled to be completed in the 3RD quarter of 2025.