Manila Army and Navy Club

It was completed on April 17, 1911 In his book, McCallus described the current state of the Army and Navy Club as:[1] a dignified white structure, nearly hidden by beautiful palms and acacia trees, and guarded by a well-carved wrought iron fence.

The club has a reputation of being among the best of its type in the world with excellent food, a superb staff, and a swimming pool.

It also boasted a bowling alley, tennis and squash courts, and a huge officer's bar.The Army and Navy Club of Manila was organized in December 1898.

It was then used as a manufacturing site for the city's Christmas lanterns, thereby contributing more to the building's decay until it was resurrected as the short-lived Museo de Manila.

During the American colonial period, Filipinos were not allowed in the club[1] as described by a 1922 New York Times article on a speech from Senator Bingham:[6] Mr. Bingham's audience [during a speech in Hawaii] was all attention as he proceeded to relate how, a few weeks previously, he had been invited as guest of honor to a banquet in the Army & Navy Club of Manila.

For several years after the Museo ng Maynila closed, the Manila Army and Navy Club building was left in a state of disrepair.

By 2015, the redevelopment of the building resumed but it caused controversy again after the engineering firm behind the project cut several old trees located in the site.

According to the developer, 31 trees were cut while 13 were earth-balled and replanted in another location, all with the approval of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.

[17] The launch was attended by Philippine president Rodrigo Duterte who, in his speech, said: "The American-owned Army and Navy Club, it's now so beautiful, much may be prettier than the original one.

[16][19] It also has an infinity swimming pool at the back, a bakeshop that sells freshly baked pastries, a banquet that can seat 1,200 person and a completely staffed kitchen with 38 chefs.