Not only is this one of Manila's finest pieces of surviving pre-WWII art deco, but it's also the centrepiece of the Escolta St revival. Inside are galleries, cafes, co-laboratories, artist collectives, the First United Community Museum and the HUB Make Lab. Head up the fantastic spiral staircase to observe photos of old Manila lining the corridors of the 3rd floor.
糖心传媒's must-see attractions
0.69 MILES
Guarding the entrance to the Pasig River is Intramuros' premier tourist attraction: Fort Santiago. Within the fort grounds is an oasis of lovely manicured鈥
0.73 MILES
The San Agustin Church was the only building left intact after the destruction of Intramuros in WWII. Built between 1587 and 1606, it is the oldest church鈥
8.86 MILES
This fantastic museum in Antipolo, in the hills just east of Metro Manila, showcases some of the Philippines' best contemporary artists. There are six鈥
2.53 MILES
As in life, so it is in death for Manila鈥檚 wealthy Chinese citizens, who are buried with every modern convenience in the huge Chinese Cemetery. It's far鈥
4.27 MILES
This gleaming museum features four floors of superbly curated exhibits on Filipino culture, art and history. At the heart of the collection is a brilliant鈥
2.45 MILES
The 'Met' is a world-class gallery tracing the evolution of Filipino art from the early 20th century to the present. Virtually all great Filipino painters鈥
National Museum of Anthropology
0.93 MILES
Within a resplendent neoclassical building, this superb museum houses a vast and varied collection, including the skullcap of the Philippines鈥 earliest鈥
8.06 MILES
A must for Imelda Marcos junkies is the Marikina Shoe Museum. There's the footwear of various Filipino luminaries on display here, but it's Imelda鈥檚 shoes鈥
Nearby Manila attractions
1. First United Community Museum
Opened in 2015, this modest museum is dedicated to Sy Lian Teng (1904鈥2004), a self-made Chinese tycoon whose family still owns the First United Building鈥
0.09 MILES
One of several ornate arches within Chinatown that distinguish the neighbourhood from its surrounds.
0.14 MILES
In the historic, beaux-arts Calvo Building (1938), this little museum houses a treasure trove of pre-WWII photographs and memorabilia. Of particular鈥
4. Filipino-Chinese Friendship Arch
0.24 MILES
Ornate arch marking the entrance to Chinatown when coming over the Jones Bridge. Do not confuse it with the gargantuan new (2015) Chinatown Arch, which is鈥
0.27 MILES
Plaza Miranda has some history. This is where the common folk came to watch beauty contests, political rallies, and various events and festivities, until鈥
0.28 MILES
Quiapo Church is a 1933 replacement of an older structure destroyed by fire. One of Manila鈥檚 best-known landmarks, Quiapo is the home of the Black鈥
0.32 MILES
This stunning piece of art deco opened as the city鈥檚 premier opera theatre under the Americans in 1931. Today it鈥檚 in a state of utter disrepair, but鈥
0.34 MILES
Built in 1914, this beautiful ancestral home is the former residence of Perona Nakpil, the widow of Andr茅s Bonifacio ( father of the Philippine Revolution鈥