A taste of Scandinavian coffee, lifestyle in PH

We already have a deep-rooted culture of merienda or snacking in the Philippines, but something about the Scandinavian concept of Fika captivates our collective imagination.

Fika is a Swedish custom that literally means “having coffee.” Topping the list of ideas that come to mind when thinking of Sweden or even the whole Scandinavian region—up there with Ikea and ABBA, perhaps—Fika has the concept of total wellbeing attached to it.

“In a deeper sense, Fika is a state of mind where you take a moment to enjoy your life, appreciate your surroundings and simply become one with the present,” explained Rowena Espiritu, head of sales and marketing at Global-Estate Resorts Inc. (GERI), a subsidiary of property titan Megaworld Corp. specializing in master-planned integrated tourism estates.

It is that connotation that GERI seeks to bring to our shores as it opens the doors of the Arden Café, a café-and-showroom-in-one concept, along Governor’s Drive in Tanza, Cavite.

“Here at Arden Café, our clients can enjoy signature premium coffee, tea and pastries, all while relaxing and visualizing their future in this rising sustainable township,” noted Espiritu during the launch of the new hangout in mid-November.

She was referring to the eponymous Arden Botanical Estate, an expansive development straddling 251 ha of land at the boundary of Trece Martires City and the municipality of Tanza.

The developer specifically chose the Fika concept for two reasons: one, because it comes from a region noted to be among the happiest and healthiest yet most modest in the world; and, two, the lifestyle it represents resonates with the proposition for the bigger project it belongs to.

The Arden Café is bound to offer a religious experience to goers, with a modern architecture evoking Scandinavian aesthetic. It features high ceilings, expansive windows and a balcony to make the inside and outside interact. Those characteristics should make the place conducive for both social functions and individual musings.

Furthermore, the Arden Café is a unique and creative way for GERI to engage with prospective buyers, insisting through its very design and vibe that guests imagine themselves living in Arden Botanical Estate. It revolutionizes showrooms in the country by doing away with models and illustrations, but instead embracing an immersive — and physical, not virtual — experience.

“Since its launch a few years back,” Espiritu said, “Arden Botanical Estate is fast taking shape as a one-of-a-kind township development that allows everyone … to live and enjoy a beautiful and purposeful life within an enviable address. We are bringing them a peek at this distinct lifestyle as we welcome them here at the Arden Café.”

Enjoy ordering from a menu with delicacies and beverages named after the houses and properties sold in Arden Botanical Estate. More importantly, since the Arden Café is perched on a little hill, each visit gives guests vistas not only of the majestic terrain around them but also of the very estate steadily, gloriously turning from vision to reality.

GERI has so far launched three sprawling residential villages within Arden Botanical Estate. The company has already sold out all 329 lots available at the 18-ha Arden Botanical Village, while a few more are remaining at the 17-ha The Lindgren and the 15.2-ha Arden Westpark Village.

Residential and leisure villages will form more than half of Arden Botanical Estate.

The other half of the township will feature commercial areas, sports and adventure parks, school and a mixed-use commercial district, all while being surrounded by natural rivers, organic gardens and natural parks.

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It will have its own Flower Farm, Flower Tunnel and Children’s Garden. In addition, Arden Botanical Estate will include sustainability features such as solar streetlights, electric shuttles for transport, storm water recycling, permeable pavements for driveways and parking, and organic fertilizers and pesticides for gardens.

Traversing the entire township from the entrance along Governor’s Drive in Tanza is a six-lane, tree-lined avenue that leads to the Welcome Pavilion and the Town Center which will both be surrounded by arcades and alfresco commercial areas.

Residents, workers, and visitors of the township can also go around the development via an ‘Electric Tram.’

Arden Botanical Estate is Megaworld’s 25th township development and GERI’s 8th lifestyle and tourism development. The two will pour a whopping P18 billion into the project over 15 years to ensure that the place really represents what “arden” means: a place of solitude and great beauty.

The Arden Café offers a sneak peek, Fika-style.

The Arden Café is exclusive to guests and clients on an appointment-only basis. For more information, visit https://bit.ly/ArdenCafe.