SM Leisure Resort Residences (SM LRR), a unit of SM Prime Holdings Inc., is on track to complete and turn over Balea Suites, the second residential tower at Pico Terraces within the Hamilo Coast estate in Batangas, by the fourth quarter of 2027, as demand for resort-style secondary homes continues to gain traction among affluent buyers.
Part of the P3-billion Pico Terraces development, Balea Suites follows the successful launch of Ardea Suites in 2023. Both towers reached their topping-off milestone in April 2025, marking a key step toward the project’s completion.
The strong market response reflects a broader shift in residential preferences, particularly among Millennials and Generation X buyers seeking low-density communities outside Metro Manila that combine leisure, wellness and long-term investment potential.
“Market reception for Balea Suites has been strong, with most units already taken up,” said Imee Francisco, senior vice president and head of Costa del Hamilo Inc. “The distinct seaside setting, exclusivity and amenities of Hamilo Coast make the project a compelling option for discerning buyers.”
Pico Terraces is designed as a “resort within a resort,” offering residents private amenities while remaining integrated with the wider 5,900-hectare Hamilo Coast estate. Unit owners also receive bundled shares granting exclusive access to Pico de Loro Beach and Country Club, a feature that developers say enhances the project’s lifestyle and investment appeal.
“Buyers are responding to Pico Terraces because it offers an accessible entry point into elevated, nature-inspired living. Pico de Loro’s sea-and-mountain setting gives the project a distinct sense of place that is difficult to replicate,” Francisco said.
Beyond its beachside location, Pico Terraces features swimming pools, fitness facilities and landscaped open spaces aimed at creating a quieter residential environment. The project’s positioning underscores a growing trend in the property market, where developers are increasingly targeting buyers seeking vacation homes that can also serve as long-term lifestyle assets.
The development has also earned industry recognition, winning Best Condominium Development (Luzon) at the 2025 PropertyGuru Philippines Property Awards and Best Resort Condominium Development at the 2025 DOT Property Awards.
The accolades highlight growing demand for integrated resort communities, a niche that developers are increasingly tapping as buyers prioritize exclusivity, wellness, and proximity to nature alongside capital appreciation potential.
