1120 Otis

1120 Otis is a project of heritage reconstruction. Once the first high-rise in the area, this 4-storey art deco building within the industrial and manufacturing district of Paco, Manila was built in the early 1950s as a vision by Filipina scientist and feminist, Paz Mendoza Guazon (also the main street’s namesake). In 2018, the family was convinced to restore and enhance the building after decades of mismanagement and disrepair instead of demolishing and building anew. After much research and consultations, it was discovered to be streamline moderne-inspired after Paz’s travels to Miami in the 40s, and thus the original purpose of the Manila Travelers Apartel (MTA) of serviced apartments was reintroduced into the long-term programming of the building. Furthermore, 1120 Otis has been considered a dynamic mixed-use node in the area with several maritime and logistics offices choosing to locate therein. 

Designed in 2018, completed 2023.