Developer to restore Army Navy Club’s grandeur

MANILA, Philippines - The developer of the Army Navy Club, an abandoned building that was once the center of social life of the Americans in Manila in the early 20th century, yesterday assured the public that the structure would be restored to its old grandeur without compromising its historical significance.

According to Mark Paz, vice president of Oceanville Hotel and Spa Corp., they intend to reclaim the old glory of the Army Navy Club by turning it into a historical five-star hotel.

“Our company will not destroy the Army Navy Club. That is part of our end goal because its historical significance is part of the charm of our hotel. We want it to be a five-star hotel and, at the same time, we want it to be a heritage building,” he told The STAR.

But Paz noted that the decaying building, found along Roxas Boulevard, requires major renovation and restoration, having been abandoned for 30 years now.

At present, temporary posts are supporting some parts of the ceiling to prevent it from caving in while cement in some parts of the wall have chipped off, exposing the corroded iron support.

Water from Manila Bay had also seeped into the basement.

Paz said the structural frame holding the entire building now has cracks. “We had it checked by our structural engineer and we were told that if there is a significant typhoon or earthquake, the building will collapse,” he said.

The company intends to transform the Army Navy Club into a world-class hotel similar to the Raffles Hotel in Singapore, which was once a historic building.