Cover Monique Madsen
Monique Madsen
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We had the pleasure of sitting down with Nicole Menchaca and Monique Madsen at Eluria’s glorious show suite, where the spirit of Makati is celebrated in every corner
Living in Makati City presents a charming paradox. While its skyline boasts tall, gleaming skyscrapers and ever-bustling streets, also nestled among these are colonial-era buildings, culture spots, and patches of green that elicit a refreshing take on life’s hustle and bustle. This is just one of the many reasons why tastemakers Monique Madsen and Nicole Menchaca proudly call it home.
See also: Handcrafted legacy: Eluria and Miladay Jewels unite for an extraordinary night
Now a seasoned creative director and brand consultant, Madsen first moved to the area as a young adult in the noughties. After relocating to Copenhagen for seven years and to Shanghai’s French Concession for two, she joyfully found herself returning to Legazpi Village a few years back. She touches on the leisurely lifestyle and coffee culture in the cities she has lived in abroad, and remarks how residing within the villages of Legazpi or Salcedo is most reminiscent of this in Manila.
“I’m very used to walking neighbourhoods, where there’s more time to stroll around, admire the architecture of the buildings, and get to know the establishments around,” she details. “That’s exactly what I like about living here. There’s also a strong community vibe. Everyone sees each other at the weekend markets or when we walk our dogs through the park. A lot of the cafes and restaurants are family-owned too, so you get to talk to the owners and mingle with other residents as well.”
While detailing the area's convenient host of choice establishments, she enthuses, “Everything is walking distance!” Furthermore, she just genuinely loves the heritage and nostalgia that permeates the address.
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Meanwhile, Menchaca first relocated to Makati from Sydney in the Eighties, growing up just as the district metamorphosed into the country’s financial epicentre. The city is where she spent most of her teenage and early adult life; it’s the place where she attended school, met her spouse-to-be, and cultivated lifelong friendships. After 20 years away in Hong Kong, she and her husband moved back in 2015, delighted to see it transformed once again yet endearingly familiar.
“When my husband said we were moving to the neighbourhood, I just had visions of a sprawling field,” she recounts with a laugh. “But my goodness, how it’s changed with all the new developments...There’s a real buzz, a continual feel of energy.”
Musing about how the restaurant scene and shopping malls in both Legazpi and Salcedo have grown exponentially, Menchaca argues that the area is, splendidly, “not as fast-paced as other cities.” The homeware curator explains, “You could sit in a coffee shop or a park for hours whereas, in other places, people are on the go 24/7. Here, I always see people get a glass of wine after work; they’re not rushing home. Even on Mondays, the restaurants are full.”
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Above Nicole Menchaca
Nicole Menchaca
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As long-time residents of the city, both Madsen and Menchaca illustrate how home is far more than a bed and four walls—it's a reflection of who they are and what they cherish. It’s a warm and welcoming community of equally passionate individuals; it’s a feeling and connection that only strengthens with time.
This is why Arthaland’s upcoming condominium project at the heart of Makati deeply resonates with the two. Developed in partnership with ARCH Capital, Eluria is more than just the latest high-rise in the metro; it’s a stunning display of timeless craftsmanship, attention to detail, and indisputable quality. With its name being a literal portmanteau of the words elan, flourish, and allure, Eluria is a testament to the values and sensibilities that both ladies hold dear.
More from Tatler: Home tour: Inside Rosanna Ocampo-Rodriguez’s colourful family abode
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“I’m such a detailed person, and I really believe that having a focus on them is an integral part of design. The market is so saturated with creative things—we’re all publishing our own work, whatever we’re inspired by—and what differentiates all that are the details,” Madsen relays. “It’s also in the little things that you can tell it was built or constructed with quality in mind, aside from pure aesthetic.”
For Menchaca, who is known to showcase intricate, locally made linen and craft on her Instagram account, @maynilastyle, such subtle nuances can also be made to reflect the most vital facets of your being. “Your home is like a canvas that you add to over the years, evoking your life, your travels, and your loves,” she beams. “Whatever you’re passionate about must shine through in everything.”
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Designed to stand out amidst the Makati City skyline with its unique treehouse-inspired facade, Eluria is a place where residents can relish the love and care that has gone into every detail. Besides the sustainable design features that ensure it is built to last, the condominium goes the extra mile to introduce an exclusive white-glove butler service, wherein internationally trained Hospitality Directors provide a wide range of personalised reception and lifestyle services.
These include everything from concierge and chauffeur shuttle services to parcel handling, travel arrangements, and even setting up your events at the building’s function rooms. By purveying the highest calibre of attention, comfort, and convenience, these dedicated Hospitality Directors not only serve up the highly coveted Makati lifestyle; they reinforce how the city isn’t just a place to live but a place to thrive, connect, and grow.
And of course, poised at the heart of it all, Eluria stands as the ideal choice for those seeking this endless journey of discovery.
Learn more about Eluria here.
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Credits
Photography: Patrick Diokno
Photography Assistant: Bermar Daz
Hair: Moriel Flores
Make-Up: Johnson Estrella
Location: Eluria Show Suite
Production: Isabel Francisco, Dorynna Untivero, Michelle Soriano, Johannah Reglos
Topics
Trained as a student journalist, Mac’s knack for writing was a serendipitous discovery. Years later and she can’t imagine doing anything else. When she isn’t typing away on a story, she revels in being lost in a new city, revisiting a cosy film or sitcom, and idling away with her dogs.
