Crosswinds

Showcasing Swiss splendor

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Located on the rolling terrain of Tagaytay Ridge amid the profusion of pine trees, the Crosswinds estate development project allows guests and residents a feel of living in the Alps country, sans the Materhorn of course. And yes, if it were made into a movie set, the hills would be alive with the sound of music!

A windmill by the property’s entrance, a Christmas town with an elves workroom, chalets on vales, chateaux nicely tucked on promontories, meandering roads bounded in verdure, and pine cones & needles on the dew-kissed ground, these are just some of the details that catched the eye of those who’ve visited, and actually live, in this pristine property.  

Recently, Crosswinds formally inaugurated fresh developments in the Swiss-themed luxury resort through a topping-off ceremony that was led by Vista Land & Lifescapes (VLL) chairman and former senator Manny Villar. “There’s no such place as this in the entire Tagaytay area or anywhere in the Philippines for that matter,” enthused the former statesman

“A community that is especially devoted on luxury and leisure should always be marked with constant improvements,” said division head Joan Patricia Dial of Brittany, the high-end development arm of VLL. “At Crosswinds, we are not just adding new features for our current homeowners to enjoy but also in expanding our residential portfolio so others may experience the high comfort that living in Crosswinds entails.”

Foremost among these fresh and exciting developments is the rise of the third tower of the Grand Quartier, an edifice of mid-rise condominiums nestled on a high peak in the development. Each of its one- or two-bedroom units has a balcony that opens to a breathtaking view of the Tagaytay landscape. With only eight residential levels and a floor dedicated to amenities that include an infinity pool, spa, gym, function room and coffee shop, the Grand Quartier espouses exclusivity, privacy and luxury to its residents.

“Residents may also decide to lease out their units as part of Crosswinds’ condotel operations,” shared project head Martin John Lim. “With Tagaytay being one of the most visited tourist destinations in the country and with a growing number of travelers looking for more sophisticated accommodations, unit owners will be rewarded with a good return of their investment.”

Aside from the third tower of the Grand Quartier, Crosswinds also green-lighted the commercial development of Alpine Village, a community modeled after a charming and laid-back European town. As the commercial hub of the entire property, it will be home to restaurants, gift shops and cafés, among others establishments, which residents, including their kids and guests, will enjoy. They will also get to experience pocket events, such as musical performances, as they stroll through the village.

As part of the vision of making Crosswinds a more dynamic and vibrant community, Vista Land offers townhouses, house-and-lot packages, as well as lot-only options to prospective homeowners who imagine a lifestyle couched in the beauty of nature as well as the conveniences of modern-day living in the three custom home sites of Montreux Ville (along with Montreux Gardens), Pine Grove & Peak and Cedar Brooks. The latter was the first development launched in 1996.

Montreux Ville is a 4.3-hectare self-contained and exclusive enclave located on the north side of Crosswinds with its own amenities area. Lot sizes on offer range from 260 to 560 square meters. Right beside it is Montreux Gardens that offers only 58 lots with an average cut of 350 square meters. This is perfect for residents who have a green thumb and want to cultivate their own orchard or garden.

Another exclusive enclave, this time in close proximity to the amenities area, is Pine Grove, launched in 2005 for single detached units, where lot sizes range from 400 to 600 square meters (Phase I) and from 225 to 374 square meters (Phase II). Those who want a bigger lot can find it in Phase III where cuts range from 300 to 1,000 square meters. Lot owners will have the chance to build their homes on the natural contour of the land.

The last custom home site is the Peak View & Cedar Brooks where future residents can build their own Swiss chalets, on lot sizes that range from 450 to 1,000 square meters.

Those who want to move in to a ready-made home can do so in the Swiss Quadrilles which is now in its third phase of development. Situated along the hills, the enclaves are composed of four-unit townhomes that embody the best of Swiss architecture. Each of the four units feature two floors, two bedrooms, three toilet and baths, a deck, a porch and a balcony which opens to the pine-scented landscape of Crosswinds community. Select units also have a provision for an attic.

A more privileged view can be had at Deux Pointe, which is located at the highest elevation of the Crosswinds community. It is composed of duplex townhomes, also built in the spirit of Swiss architecture, that come in two-bedroom (Duetto Tresor), three-bedroom (Duetto Primo) and four-bedroom (Duetto Gran) configurations. With two or three bathrooms, all the townhomes come with a powder room, a maid’s room, a balcony and a two-car garage space.

The uphill setting of Deux Pointe is in close proximity to Grand Quartier 2 and 3, the condotel facilities of Crosswinds, where we spent the night. Close by, too, is the Yule Shop where Christmas pervades the air every day. Right next to it is Santa’s House with a sleigh parked right on the front door.

“At Crosswinds, we offer our prospective homeowners a number of options with regard to their residence of choice,” intoned Dial. “Whether they want to live in a condominium, a town house, or a stand-alone residence which they can build from the ground up, they have the freedom to choose the lifestyle they are most comfortable with. As future members of the Crosswinds community, they can fashion their dream life in a self-contained, secure and beautiful setting.”

The cool crisp air wafting through the slopes and gradients, made sweet by the 23,000 (and counting) pine trees planted by the homeowners annually, is one of the come-ons to this beautiful setting of a property; especially when those who decide to live here wants to escape the noise & din, smog, and the sweltering humidity of Metro Manila.

For more information, visit the company Web site, www.brittany.com.ph  or simply call tel. no. 749-9999.