BRAVO! BRAVO! BRAVO!
RENOVATION AND RESTORATION REDUXLook at this bit of good news I found in The Inquirer. So glad to hear that one of my favorite buildings in Manila, The Beaux Arts Luneta Hotel is well on its way to being restored to its former glory. In an article online, Beaumont Properties, the new owners of this 87-year old structure who bought it from the Panlilio family, said that they aim to "restore it, not demolish it." Among their ambitious plans are to strengthen the structure by constructing an independent steel frame within the building itself so that the facade would not be harmed (steel framing pictured below) and restoring all the detailing. The project also seems to have the approval of both the National Historical Institute and the Heritage Conservation Society. Very cool. And I hear Beaumont is a very reliable, but low-key company who have done restoration and renovation in both Singapore and The United Kingdom so this definitely won't be a half-assed development. The steel columns you see below ain't cheap. And their three year timeline definitely shows this is going to be a labor of love.
And contrary to earlier whispers in the blogosphere, the building is NOT going to be a casino. It will be a boutique hotel. Apparently of the highest quality (real marble and stuff) and of levels of luxury deserving of such a structure. Can't wait to check in.And Thanks Aidan for the review of my Imelda tour on your blog.
Hope to see you guys out there on tomorrow's Imelda tour, Dec. 14 at two pm. Meet at the CCP Little Theater Lobby.
Labels: bravo bravo
posted by carlosceldran @ 3:05 PM
18 Comments:
i read that in the inquirer too! wow! 87 years old! it survived the bombing of world war 2! my relatives abroad would surely love to stay there after touring old manila(wink,wink)! 3 years pa pala...good thing some people still have a sense of history
that's great news. carlos.
I wish the city could also work on improving that sidewalk - t.m. kalaw from taft to roxas boulevard could really be a real urban moment.
it's a key urban edge (fronting the park)
and, if the sidewalk is still as wide as i remember it, it could accomodate sidewalk cafes and ground floor retail and restaurants.
UDC
wonderful! i don't have to buy it anymore. (joke!)
It would be interesting to hear the experiences of the first guests, post-restoration. P&G used to hold office there (after the war), and my former clients told me it was very haunted.
I love that building! That is great news. I'll look forward to staying there one night. (ghost or no)
Waw! I would definitely go there once it's done being restored.
wow..it's good news indeed! Me too, I'll definitely go there after it is restored!
A Merry Christmas indeed, Carlos.
Hopefully this is a start of some urban renewal in those parts. Also, with a new Chinatown board comprised of private individuals instead of anonymous City Hall representatives, I am hoping Binondo would also see some life again.
Thanks for this post honey and for keeping it under the radar for now.
This was supposed to be my Christmas post as am currently in contact with the architectural firm in charge of the restoration.
I'm not at liberty to disclose details yet but what I will say is that I completely trust them to do their job, and to do it well.
Will divulge information the moment I'm given the go signal.
I'm so excited about this.
If you have any queries, please email me, or leave a comment on my blog.
Thanks!
Do you have pictures of this building during its hayday? It must surely be a landmark during those days.
It's like a breath of fresh air for filipino heritage crusaders.Yataa!!!
Excellent. I drive by this building each day from work, its a gorgeous building! I had a guard take me through int a few months ago just for curiosities sake, when fixed, the interior will be even more interesting than the facade.
Next renovation-- the Met.
This is good news.
Marvelous news, Carlos and Tesa! I'm happy that at least some of the beauty of the city won't be lost to the wrecking ball. I'm excited to see this finished, and to recommend it to foreign visitors.
i'm so glad! i passed the building several times over the course of my trip to the PI, but no one could tell me anything about this beautiful but sadly abandoned building. thanks for enlightening me and for an amazing tour of intramuros (12.15.07). quite honestly the best tour experience i've had. anywhere. wish we could have met you out for the quiapo tour later in the afternoon as planned, but our timing was off. next trip, most definitely.
Finally, my prayers have been answered for people to take interest in this beautiful building. I too cannot wait to see the restored state.
hallelujah!
i pass this building every single day and i for one am so glad that something very welcome is afoot. this is such a good christmas news.
methinks, i'd better start saving now to be able to spend at least a few days in this grand old dame once she's restored.
i agree with urbano. the city should also improve that stretch of sidewalk from taft to roxas. but then again, who knows? giving new life again to this grand old dame might serve as a kick in the ass to the city hall to improve that sidewalk. what queen would be complete without a proper avenue?
cheers!
I love this building. Reminds me of Mexico City as I head for my bi-monthly Sunday afernoon walks in Intramuros. Even if they preserve the facade (like the Hearst Building-NYC), demolishing and rebuilding behind it would be good. What are they going to build next to it I wonder in the vacant lot? I overheard some people in Balducci's (Serendra) today talking about a casino project in Manila.Wonder if it could be here or the Coco Palace.
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