March 18, 2025

A brutally honest ranking of the condos around Taft

3 minute read

Because not all condos are created equal, and you deserve to know the truth.

Whether you’re a wide-eyed freshman, a transfer student trying to escape dorm hell, or someone just done with commuting from QC (bless your soul), here’s a rundown of the condos around Taft—ranked, roasted, and reluctantly recommended.

R Square Residences

R Square is the definition of “I could settle here, I guess.” It’s got the holy grail of condo living: a grocery, a food court, and a gym that isn’t just two treadmills and a sad mirror. The units are spacious enough that you won’t bump into your desk every time you turn around, and the amenities are solid: study areas, a pool, even a game room.

BUT—and there’s always a but—maintenance can be a bit of a hit or miss. Sometimes the water's out for "emergency repairs," or your bathroom sink mysteriously leaks like it just went through a breakup. Still, if you're looking for comfort and convenience without the luxury tax of 3Torre, R Square is your safest bet.

3 Torre Lorenzo

This is where your rich blockmates live. It’s literally right next to CSB, so if you ever show up late, that’s entirely on you. The units are clean, modern, and actually look like the pictures from the leasing office. The amenities are on point (function hall, pool, gym, study area), and everything feels premium.

There’s a mini-mall under it, but let’s not pretend it’s actually useful—unless your idea of fun solely centred around Hotpot and Gong Cha. Still, the Alfamart downstairs is a lifesaver at 1 AM when you're starving.

The only real con? The price tag. This place is expensive, and it knows it. If you're on a budget, look away. But if you (or your parents) have cash to burn, this is probably the best quality of life you'll get around Taft.

One Archer’s Place

One Archer’s is kind of like that upperclassman who peaked in sophomore year. It’s close to DLSU, has large units, and the elevators are fast (a literal luxury around Taft). But... that’s kind of it. The amenities are bare-bones—no pool, limited stuff—and yet it’s still pricey.

It’s not bad, but it’s not great either. It’s just... fine. Like plain rice. It gets the job done, but you’ll always be wishing for a bit of flavor.

Green Residences

Green is a mixed bag of "wait, I love this" and "why am I living like this." The location is great, especially for DLSU students. There’s a pool, gym, game room, and study area, plus a Uncle John's and Savemore downstairs—aka the college survival combo.

But here’s the tea: if you hate cockroaches, this place will test your will to live. Units are tiny, like “don’t stretch too hard or you’ll hit a wall” tiny. And the elevator? Slow enough to age you five years before reaching your floor.

Grand Towers

Let’s be honest: if someone says they’re staying at Grand Towers, your immediate response should be, “Are you okay?” Infestation issues, unreliable maintenance, and units that look like they’ve seen some things.

Worst part? It’s not even that cheap. You’re paying near-R Square prices for a unit that hasn’t been updated since Tumblr was relevant. Almost everyone I know who's lived there has moved out, or is actively planning their escape route.

If you’re looking for the best bang for your buck, R Square is the solid middle ground—affordable, convenient, and mostly reliable. 3 Torre is your dream condo if money isn't an issue, while Green Residences is the scrappy underdog for solo students who can live with a little (or a lot of) chaos. One Archer sits comfortably in the middle tier, and Grand Towers... well, deserves a nice retirement.