The restoration of the China Bank Building at the corner of Juan Luan St. and Dasmariñas St. in Binondo, Manila, is nearly complete, with the remaining construction work and finishing touches in the upper floors progressing as well as can be expected amid the quarantine restrictions.
According to the committee chairman of the China Bank Binondo Heritage Restoration Project, SVP Alexander Escucha, the restoration is on track to be completed by the end of the year.
Designed by German Architect Arthur Julius Niclaus Gabler Gumbert in the Neoclassical fashion, utilizing a variation of the Beaux-Arts style, China Bank’s original headquarters was built in 1923-1924. The Bank began restoring it in 2019 not only to preserve its heritage for the next generation but also to help bring about Manila’s revival. As China Bank Chairman Hans Sy said, “This restoration project is China Bank’s contribution to the revitalization of Binondo.”
The project was the centerpiece of China Bank’s centennial celebration in August 2020, during which the facade restoration was completed. In January this year, the restored banking area at the ground floor, the Binondo Business Center, was officially opened to the public.
As part of its 101st-anniversary celebration this August 16, the historical markers from the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and the National Museum will be unveiled.
A massive undertaking, the restoration project is also a disaster preparedness and resiliency effort requiring extensive structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and insulation work. It can be considered the most faithful restoration that has been done on any building in the country.
China Bank opened for business on August 16, 1920 in Binondo, Manila, and is now one of the largest private universal banks in the Philippines.
It provides a full range of banking products and services to corporate, commercial, and retail customers through 636 branches and 1,038 ATMs to date (including the 160 branches and 167 ATMs of China Bank Savings).
It also offers a wide range of allied financial services through its subsidiaries China Bank Capital Corp., China Bank Securities Corp., Chinabank Insurance Brokers, Inc., an affiliate Manulife China Bank Life Assurance Corp. Visit www.chinabank.ph for more information.
Source: Manila Bulletin