7 Colonial Architecture in Manila

Manila is a city showing a the rich history and culture of the Philippines. It is a city where significant events happened and historical landmarks are located. In terms of architecture, Manila has a wide range of styles from different historical pre to post-colonial period.
There are a lot of places and hidden gems to go to in the capital city of the country. Here  are only seven (7) of the many places you definitely must visit to experience the colonial architecture in Manila:

1. Intramuros
Completed Year: 1579
(Rebuilt: 1951)
Other Name
Walled City

South entrance gate of Intramuros in General Luna Street

Statue of Queen Isabel II, located in the entrance of Puerta de Isabel II

● Manila Cathedral
Completed: 1958
(Restored: 2014)
Architect: Fernando H. Ocampo

Other name
Minor Basilica and Metropolitan Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception

Click here for the official website of the church.
Address
Cabildo corner Beaterio Street
Intramuros, Manila

● Casa Manila
Completed Year: 1980s
Architect: Ramon Faustmann

Another gem inside Intramuros is the Casa Manila, a historic house museum of Spanish Colonial heritage. Architecture and interior design of the late Spanish period are showcased in this glamorous reproduction of a colonial house. One of the projects by Imelda Marcos which offers a glimpse of the gentry lifestyle in that era.

Click here for the official intramuros website. Address
Plaza Luis Complex, General Luna St
Admission
₱75 (Adult), ₱50 (Student)

Closed on Mondays

9am-6pm (Tue-Sun)

2. Manila Metropolitan Theater
Completed Year: 1931
(Reconstructed: 1970s)
Architect: Juan M. Arellano
Sculptures: Francesco Monti
Capacity: 1,670 pax
Style: Art-Deco

The most beautiful theater in Manila

This theater housed different operas, plays and concerts during the pre-war in the city. Now, it is being restored after long period of time being closed and abandoned. Hopefully, the restoration will continue as funding is not yet sufficient to facilitate such heavy scope of conservation process.

The theater is located just across Liwasang Bonifacio (former Plaza Lawton).
Intricate facade was inspired also by the Philippine flora. While the minarets were inspire by the Islamic architecture.
Address
Dr Basa Street,
Ermita, Manila

3. Manila Central Post Office Building
Completed Year: 1930
(Rebuilt: 1946)
Architect: Juan Arellano, Tomas Mapua & Ralph Doane

An example of a neo-classical architecture and an American colonial architecture

The capital city's Post Office building is located along the banks of the Pasig river which has the best view from the said river.

View of the post office from riding the Pasig Ferry.

Rear facade of the building

Front facade of the building showing the Ionic columns

Today, the post office sector of Manila is to be relocated to a different building in the city due to operation and maintenance expenses in the building. There are news that this historical landmark will soon be turned into a hotel, which will be the Manila's version of Fullerton Hotel in Singapore. The said hotel is still in the process of talking with the Philippine government for this project since 2012.
But some news indicate that the new president, Duterte wants it to house the new proposed OFW department.

4. Manila City Hall
Competed Year: 1939
(Rebuilt: 1946)
Architect: Antonio Toledo
Area: 8,422 sq.m.

View of the city hall from Bayleaf Hotel in Intramuros

This is neo-classical building is one the the key government buildings built in American colonial period. It is located in the Ermita area of Manila where the house of the seat of the mayor of the capital is also situated.

The iconic hexagonal clock tower of the Manila City Hall

Click here for the official website of the Manila City Hall.
Address
Taft Avenue, Ermita
Manila

5. National Museum of the Philippines
Completed Year: 1926 (Rebuilt : 1950)
Architect: Antonio Toledo & Ralph Harrington Doane
(Interior Design & Revisions by Juan Arellano)
Formerly : The Old Legislative Building

Facade showing the pediment with three ladies in the middle symbolizing Luzon, Visayas & Mindanao

Intended to be the National Library by the American urban planner, Daniel Burham before it became the senate building and now the national museum, this place now houses a lot of historical artworks like the world-renowned painting, Spoliarium.

Central facade showing the four-columned portico or Corinthian columns

This museum is an example of a best neo-classical architecture in Manila. Located in the heart of the country's capital, you should not miss visiting this place when you go to Manila.

Spoliarium by the national artist, Juan Luna.

When visiting this museum, you should definitely see this painting and take time to appreciate its beauty.

Inside the museum, everywhere you look is such a beauty and brings you in a whole different place with its intricate and grand interior design. From the flooring to the ceiling design, it was carefully designed and given importance to.

Even door handles are designed for the museum itself

Click here for the official website of the museum

Left: National Museum; Right: Museum of Natural History (formerly the DOT building & AgriFina)

Admission
Free to all (effective July 01, 2016)

10am-5pm (Tue-Sun)
Closed on Mondays 

Address
P. Burgos Drive
Rizal Park, Manila

6. First United Building
Completed Year: 1928
Architect: Andres Luna de San Pedro (son of Juan Luna) & Juan F. Nakpil

Facade showing an art-deco style of architecture

Escolta Street is known to be the district for the elites in the early 1900s and have several old and historical buildings in Manila. It was the center for the economic and social activities in the city. These heritage buildings are testament to the rich culture and architecture in the Philippines at its prime.

This 5-storey building and one of the oldest buildings in Escolta houses the famous 98B's Escolta Market every Saturdays.

Escolta Saturday Market by 98B

Old but still in good condition lift motor room in the building.

Vintage floor indicator for the elevator in the building

Main entrance lobby of the building

View from the top floor of the building

A museum is also located inside the building in honor of the Chinese-Filipino owner. This is the Robert Sy Lianteng Museum with admission fee of ₱50. But going inside the is free of charge.
Other Name
Formerly Perez-Samanillo Building
Address
Escolta Street, Binondo
Manila

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"When a nation starves culturally, the identity is likely to fall apart."

-Felipe de Leon

7. Binondo Church
Completed Year: 1596 (Reconstructed: 1984)
Architect: Domingo de la Cruz Gonzalez
This church is located in Ongpin Street corner Quintin Paredo Road at the edge of the Plaza San Lorenzo Ruiz*. It is also the center of the Filipino-Chinese community in Manila where the oldest Chinatown in the world is located.
*St. Loreno Ruiz: the First Filipino Saint

Exterior facade of Binondo Church taken last 2008

Now, it has a different look with a new color. It was repainted with red outlines, not in accordance to its original color and neglecting the aspect of a true conservation which received a lot of negative feedback from historians and conservation advocates.
This is a historical landmark in Binondo which needs to be taken care and given importance to retain the rich culture and history of the significant area.
Other Name
Minor Basilica of Saint Lorenzo Ruiz
Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish
Address
Plaza L. Ruiz, Binondo
Manila 1006

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"The identity of the Filipino today is of a person asking what is his identity."
-Quijano de Manila (Nick Joaquin)