In its Apr 2016 issue (no. 92, volume 10), global lifestyle magazine Monocle‘s Business section featured three countries that are enjoying an economic boost. The “Fresh Starts: New Nations” feature under the Property subsection had this intro: “As foreign investment and repatriation abound, the capital cities of the Philippines, Mexico and Iran are enjoying a second life.”
Monocle observed that “Philippine economy is growing at a fast rate and Manila is in the midst of the property boom that goes with it.” It went on to point out that “while most new developments in the city tend to be towering skyscrapers a few developers have parked the bulldozers and are instead finding value in Manila’s heritage buildings.”
The highlighted case study was The Henry Hotel in Pasay City.
READ: First look: The Henry Hotel Manila in Pasay City is pure charm
La Casita Mercedes and the Nielson Tower (now Blackbird restaurant) in Makati City were also mentioned.
READ: La Casita Mercedes, a restored colonial house in Makati that’s now a cool new B&B
READ: The Blackbird experience, not just about the food
Monocle noted: “Though adaptive reuse developments in Manila are small in number, they are increasing.”
