Best of the Best 2025: Real Estate
Best of the Best: Aurelia Residences, BGC
On the quieter, more tranquil edge of Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Aurelia Residences stands as a premier address for those seeking safety and calm. This limited collection of just 285 residences offers a serene, secure environment—right in the heart of the metro. With skyline views, comprehensive amenities, and an unrivaled location minutes from business districts, luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary retail, and green spaces, Aurelia balances exclusivity with connectivity.
A joint venture between Shang Properties, Inc. and Robinsons Land Corporation, Aurelia was conceived with a singular aim: a residential experience that prioritizes privacy, sophistication, and long-term value. The developers engaged Skidmore, Owings & Merrill as conceptual architect and worked closely with FM Architettura d’Interni to infuse every detail with Italian design heritage interwoven with Filipino culture.
As Metro Manila continues to lean into vertical living, Aurelia Residences sets a high bar—an expertly executed condominium that feels truly best-in-class.
Amenities: Minetta Lane, New York City
Manhattan has no shortage of extraordinary townhouses, but only one features an 83-foot rock-climbing wall that rises from a subterranean courtyard all the way to the roof terrace six floors above. Other standout elements of this West Village home include a glass elevator; a glass-walled meditation room that opens to a grass-covered balcony; and, for stargazing, a retractable glass roof over the bed in the top-floor primary bedroom.
Additional amenities include a mini-kitchen on the roof deck, an outdoor shower in the walled and gated entrance courtyard, and, in the cellar, a speakeasy-style lounge alongside a spa area complete with a steam room.
Penthouse: Boiler House, Battersea Power Station, London
Sitting atop the Boiler House in London’s Battersea Power Station, this duplex penthouse is as much a masterpiece as the landmark itself. Encompassing two units that have been combined, the 6,158-square-foot aerie was designed by New York’s Joe Serrins Studio. Expect Venetian plaster ceilings, a suede-lined media room, custom steel-and-glass detailing, and secure underground parking for four cars. The showstopper? Three private terraces, including one perched beneath the station’s towering smokestacks, offer unbeatable 360-degree views of the River Thames.
Urban Oasis: Greenbelt Park, Makati City
Greenbelt Park, in the vibrant core of Makati, offers a serene escape from the city’s bustle. This haven blends natural beauty with the elegance of its surrounding commercial spaces, creating a refined yet peaceful setting. Encircled by upscale boutiques, dining spots, and recreational venues, Greenbelt Park embodies a harmonious balance of urban sophistication and natural charm.
Estate Masterplans: Ayala Land
Ayala Land has set the standard for Philippine real estate for decades through its masterplanned estates. From Makati’s Central Business District to Bonifacio Global City and beyond, the company has consistently created communities that balance luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary, sustainability, and urban innovation. Its developments function as ecosystems where residences, business, retail, and leisure coexist seamlessly.
Architecturally Significant: The Falls, Kent, Connecticut
A hidden modernist gem in Connecticut’s Litchfield Hills, the Falls is a striking architectural sanctuary by Charles Gwathmey, the visionary behind the Guggenheim Museum renovation and addition. Set on over 40 acres of rolling meadows and featuring elegant stonework and a cascading waterfall, the estate is a seamless blend of nature and design. Inside, curved glass walls showcase stunning views, while a sleek addition by Michael Arad and interiors by Stephen Sills bring a touch of sophistication. A tennis court, a pool, and a Deborah Nevins– designed landscape complete the picture.
Lifestyle Integration: The Balmori Suites, Rockwell
The Balmori Suites defines high-class living at its finest, blending exclusivity, artistry, and urban vibrancy in the heart of Rockwell Center, Makati. With only three to five residences per floor, privacy and refinement remain paramount.
From the artwork- and antique-embellished lobby to the expertly designed units, no effort was spared. Art and design are intrinsic, anchored by bespoke pieces such as an installation by Isagani Fuentes that underscores its contemporary spirit.
Each home is outfitted with Gaggenau appliances and marble countertops, elevating daily living. Residents are also an elevator ride away from some of Manila’s best dining—Lusso, Hapag, and Ayà among them.
Rising above Power Plant Mall with direct access to luxuryLuxuryA lifestyle defined by exceptional quality, craftsmanship, exclusivity, and sophistication, encompassing the finest products, services, and experiences that represent the highest standards of refinement and excellence.Go to Luxury Glossary retail and dining, the property offers modern conveniences while remaining a serene enclave. With a landscaped garden and event space, a state-of-the-art gym, and a pool deck, Balmori integrates leisure, culture, and comfort.
For a complete list of Robb Report Philippines’ Best of the Best awardees, click here.