Our Beginnings
The First United Building, originally known as the Perez-Samanillo Building, is an Art Deco building built in 1928 on Escolta Street in Binondo, Manila, Philippines. It was designed by national artist Andres Luna de San Pedro, the son of painter Juan Luna. It was built during the American period when Escolta was the financial center of the country, and survived The Battle of Manila during World War II.
A Living Legacy: Preserving our Past, Inspiring our Future
Today, the First United Building is celebrated not only for its historical and commercial heritage but also as a vibrant canvas for artistic and cultural expression. Half its spaces are dedicated to fostering a community of artists, designers, and entrepreneurs, who draw inspiration from the very walls they inhabit. Galleries, workshops, and performance spaces coexist with cafes and boutiques, making the First United Building a destination for urban life, history, and art.
As we honor the legacy of the First United Building, we are committed to preserving its historical integrity while embracing the future. This iconic structure serves as a testament to the spirit of innovation and community, embodying the past and present, where stories unfold, ideas are nurtured, and diversity is celebrated.
Join us in celebrating History and Entrepreneurship
The First United Building invites you to explore its corridors. Whether you're drawn to its architecture, its vibrant artistic community, or the charm of its unique spaces, you'll find something here that speaks to you. Join us as we continue to write the story of this remarkable building, a story that's as dynamic and diverse as the city it calls home.
“…the aspiration of doing something monumental and noble, of private enterprise creating something extraordinary for the benefit of the public. It was an investment that generations that followed would benefit from. The challenge is how you balance the need to preserve what’s best, what’s most important, and the need to continually invent, and change, and grow — because that’s what living places have to do.”