[2] As part of the redesign, trees were planted and, in keeping with the general historical appearance of Intramuros, the plaza's walkways and low walls were framed in natural adobe and brick.

[5] The redevelopment was controversial, eliciting criticism from tour guide and cultural activist Carlos Celdran, who complained that the IA "paved over my heart" after discovering the renovations as he was returning from a trip abroad.

[4] Celdran later remarked that the renovations looked "flat, anonymous, and [it] has nothing to do with Intramuros' character or history", even calling it the "plaza from TriNoma" and denouncing the project as a waste of taxpayers' money.

[2] The IA didn't conduct public consultations on the redevelopment project, as it was not required by law to do so,[4] but people who use the plaza regularly have, according to architect Augusto F. Villalon, lamented the loss of its park-like atmosphere, especially considering Manila's lack of green, open spaces.

[6] In its defense, the IA emphasized that it consulted landscape architects and heritage experts when the project was first conceived in 2014,[2] and Celdran himself has noted that he was nevertheless coordinating closely with stakeholders on the matter.