Why People Are Concerned About the Historic, Century-Old Paco Market

Paco Market, one of the oldest market structures in the Philippines, is in the spotlight once again. From a renovation in 2011, the century-old market has become a victim of façadism, according to the Center for Filipino Architecture (CFA).

Façadism is an architectural practice wherein only the facade of a building is preserved, and a modern building is constructed separately behind it. Understandably, several architects are against the modernism of the heritage structure.

In a Facebook post, the CFA said: "We are witnessing the absurd urban trend in Manila in which the entirety of a historic building is demolished apart from the exterior façade to allow a new building to be constructed behind it."

See more photos of Paco Market, and learn about its history below.

Designed by William Parsons, Paco Market opened in 1912.

It was constructed near Estero de Paco for easier commerce.

Paco Market became a center for market activity, and it soon had over 500 vendors.

During the Second World War, much of Paco and the market was spared from total destruction.

By the '80s, the district had fallen into urban decay with improper waste management and congestion.

In 2011, Estero de Paco and Paco Market was skillfully cleaned up and renovated.

Watch architect Lan De Leon's modernist proposal for Paco Market below.

This story originally appeared on Esquiremag.ph.

* Minor edits have been made by the Realliving.com.ph editors.