I was in my early teenage years when my mom started to bring me along during her shopping trips to Divisoria in Binondo. On those trips, we would pass by this building every time, and every single time, it would catch my attention.
I do not know what building it was called at that time. I just knew that it stands out because it was different from the buildings in the area.
I was young at that time. Young enough that I do not know yet that I'll be taking up architecture in college. And more than seven years later, I went to the same building with now a bit of architectural knowledge and an appreciation for heritage buildings.
The building is called IDES O'Racca, an art deco-styled building, built in 1935, and designed by German Architect Arthur Julius Gabler-Gumbert. At present, it is in danger of being demolished by a real-estate developer, Anchor Land, in favor of a large high-rise building. Hence why, heritage advocates are visiting the area frequently, to keep the building in check. Who knows, they may come with sledgehammers one day and demolish the building in just a few days.
IDES O'Racca building is one of the heritage structures in San Nicolas that is at risk of being demolished. With no plans in place for the building to be adaptively reused to keep the structure relevant in the current times, it is at risk of being lost through time. Even with the law protecting buildings dated 50 years old and more, it still is unsafe, especially after what happened to the Capitol Theater, designed by National Artist for Architecture, Juan Nakpil.
Good news, just last December 2022, the historical marker for Dr. Isodoro De Santos (IDES) was approved by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, a huge step towards saving the structure.
For more information about the structure, visit the Save IDES O'Racca Facebook page.
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