Army and Navy Club Archives - The Urban Roamer

The Army and Navy Club Transformed: A Peek Inside Rizal Park Hotel

December 24, 2017December 24, 2017 by The Urban Roamer

The Urban Roamer has talked about the Army and Navy Club a number of times now, bearing witness to its sorry state, a then-unknown future, and its renaissance-in-progress. And after years of work, the Army and Navy Club reopened recently, this time as a new hotel near Rizal Park named, Rizal Park Hotel.

The hotel actually opened back in July this year though from what I understand, there are still some parts of the hotel that are yet to be finished. But it is seeing a good flurry of activity since its opening, despite the competition from nearby hotels, most notably the other historic hotel named after the park area, and the Grand Dame located a few meters across it.

Going back to the topic at hand, a visit to this storied hotel and how it looks now is long overdue. And taking advantage of the Christmas festivities going around Rizal Park at this time of year, it figures it is time to revisit the Army and Navy Club and how it is faring in its iteration as the Rizal Park Hotel.

A Peek at the New Army and Navy Club

March 26, 2017 by The Urban Roamer

It’s been a long time since the Urban Roamer talked about the Army and Navy Club. If you missed it, you can check it out here. Since then, things have quieted down a bit, especially after the controversy that erupted regarding this building more than a couple of years ago. Now, it seems the work … Read more

The Continuing Story of the Army and Navy Club

September 14, 2014 by The Urban Roamer

I was to give this matter a rest for a while, but then this recent news item was enough for me not only to revisit the issue but also perhaps reconsider my earlier views on the matter.

photo courtesy of Rappler from the office of Sen. Pia Cayetano

Apparently, the developer, Oceanville Properties, tampered with the main building itself and not just the ancillary buildings that it earlier promised to only do and without the presentation of the final plans the developer promised to present. Thus, the National Historical Commission of the Philippines issued a cease and desist order against further works to be done in the building, pending the presentation of the final plans as was first promised.

The Question of the Army and Navy Club

September 7, 2014 by The Urban Roamer

In recent days, there was so much buzz about a beloved Manila structure, the Manila Army and Navy Club. Apparently, there has been some activity going on in the area as it looked like there was part of the building that is going to be taken down. For a city that is still reeling from the loss of a number of heritage structures, not to mention the existing ones being endangered, questions and concerns have arisen: what is going on at the Army and Navy Club? Why is there a secrecy it seems? Is it going to be demolished as well?

We cannot blame people from expressing these thoughts and concerns as there was actually not much news about this structure before this development. The news itself came as a surprise which few saw coming. But what is the real status right now of this structure? Is it really in danger? But before we get any further, I suppose it is appropriate for us to learn the story of this particular landmark, especially for us to understand better the circumstances it is facing right now.