LOOK: This Historic Building in Binondo Lights Up at Night

(SPOT.ph) Aside from serving up some of the best Chinese eats in the country, Binondo also holds the title of one of the world’s oldest Chinatowns. A stroll through this storied Manila district is practically a history lesson—though, admittedly, not all its landmarks have aged gracefully.

But here’s some good news: one of Binondo’s most historic structures has just had a glow-up (literally). The Juan Luna Building now lights up beautifully at night, casting the kind of old-world glow you’d expect to see in Budapest or Vienna after dark. So don’t head home just yet when the sun sets. This newly illuminated heritage gem is your latest reason to linger—and your next must-see spot in Manila.

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The Juan Luna Building is known by many names, depending on which part of history you are referring to. Since its construction in the 1920s, the building has been known as the Pacific Commercial Company Building, First National City Bank Building, and even as the Ayala Building. It's an imposing structure at one of Binondo's corners, facing the Pasig River. The building has stood as a silent witness to the comings and goings of the district and the country's capital through the years, even surviving the Battle of Manila.

Originally designed by American architects Murphy, McGill, and Hamlin of New York City and Shanghai, the five-story structure features Ionic columns and arched windows, reflecting the other overseas branches of the International Banking Corporation of New York. It's one of the last few remnants of American-era architecture in the area and, more importantly, a reminder of how Binondo and Escolta used to be the country's financial center at the time.

Over the years, the building has taken on many lives. In 2009, there were plans to convert it into a BPO facility, and for a period, it served as office space for the National Archives—until it sustained damage from a fire in a nearby building in 2018, forcing it to close its doors once again.

Since 2019, the building has been undergoing renovations led by the architectural firm, Jonathan O. Gan & Associates (JOG+ associates). According to the firm's website, they have "meticulously restored and repurposed" the building's architectural heritage. They employed concepts of "adaptive reuse" as they transformed it into a vibrant hotel, taking great care to preserve the iconic facade and intricate details, such as carvings and moldings.

"Our team worked carefully to bring the building back to its original character, while introducing subtle, thoughtful enhancements to improve functionality. Every decision was guided by respect for its identity and legacy," reads a post on the firm's social media page.

Lighting up the facade was not done by the firm alone; it was carried out in cooperation with the Local Government of Manila City as part of their efforts to rehabilitate historical districts in the capital. “Sa tulong ng ating mga private partners na patuloy na nagtitiwala sa Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Maynila, sisikapin nating buhayin, pangalagaan, at pagandahin ang mga makasaysayang pook at pasyalan sa Kapitolyo ng bansa,” said Manila Mayor Isko Moreno Domagoso in a statement during the building's lighting ceremony on February 21.

In fact, the illumination of the Juan Luna Building marks just the first of several initiatives aimed at restoring Manila to its former glory. During the ceremony, Domagoso called on owners of other heritage properties in the city to work with the local government on restoration, beautification, and similar lighting projects—part of a broader push to bring new life to Manila’s historic core.

"We are encouraging owners of heritage buildings sa Binondo—kabilang ang El Hogar Building at iba pang makasaysayang gusali. Bukas po ang inyong Pamahalaang Lungsod na makipagtulungan sa inyo upang mapailawan din natin at maipakita ang ganda ng inyong mga istruktura sa gabi!" says Domagoso.

For more information, visit the Manila Public Information Office's Facebook page.