Iloilo Central Business District Calle Real Heritage Zone | |
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 Aerial view .jpg) Javellana Building | |
 Interactive map of Iloilo Central Business District | |
.svg)  Iloilo Central Business District Iloilo Central Business District (Philippines) Show map of Philippines | |
| Coordinates:10°41′37″N122°34′17″E / 10.69361°N 122.57139°E /10.69361; 122.57139 | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Province | Iloilo(geographically only) |
| City | Iloilo City |
| District | Iloilo City Proper |
| Area | |
• Total | 26 ha (64 acres) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (Philippine Standard Time) |
| ZIP Codes | 5000 |
TheIloilo City Central Business District (Filipino:Distritong Pangkomersyo ng Lungsod ng Iloilo), commonly known as theCalle Real Heritage Zone and colloquially asOld Downtown Iloilo, is ahistoric commercial district located within the larger district ofCity Proper inIloilo City,Philippines. It served as the city's center of commerce and culture from theSpanish colonial period through theAmerican era and into the postwar years. The district encompasses major thoroughfares such asCalle Real andIznart Street, along with minor surrounding roads including Aldeguer, Guanco, Mapa, Ortiz, and Rizal Streets. It is notable for its concentration of neoclassical, beaux-arts, and art deco architecture dating back to the colonial period.[1]
In 2013, the heritage zone has been declared as one of Iloilo City's Cultural Heritage Tourism Zones along withPlaza Jaro Heritage Zone,Plaza Molo Heritage Zone,Plaza Libertad, andFort San Pedro through Republic Act Number 10555.
In 2014, theNational Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) declared the area a heritage zone under Resolution No. 3, s. 2014, in recognition of its historical and architectural significance.[2] It is also being proposed by the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines for inclusion in the country’s tentative list of futureUNESCO World Heritage Sites, under the title "Historic Center of Iloilo City (Calle Real)" as part of the serial nomination "The Sugar Cultural Landscape of Negros and Panay Islands".[3]
During theSpanish colonial period, Iloilo rose to prominence as one of the leading port cities in the Philippines.Calle Real developed as the city’s main thoroughfare of commerce, lined with trading houses and shops that catered to both local and international merchants. National heroJosé Rizal, during his visit in the late 19th century, remarked on the city’s prosperity and elegance.[4]
Under theAmerican colonial administration, the district expanded into a modern commercial hub. Calle Real became the center of high-end shopping, with stores selling imported goods from Europe.[5][6] The street was officially renamed in honor of José Maria Basa, a Filipino businessman and propagandist contemporary of Rizal, although it continued to be popularly called Calle Real. Over time, the term came to refer not only to the street itself but also to the wider commercial district.[7]
In the 20th century, the district flourished as Iloilo’s premier business center. Department stores, banks, theaters, and office buildings were constructed, many designed in neoclassical, beaux-arts, and art deco styles. Economic changes and patterns of urban migration eventually led to the decline of several heritage structures, though the district continued to function as a hub of trade and commerce.[8]
By the late 20th and early 21st centuries, commercial activity began shifting to other areas of the city, particularlyMandurriao, with the rise of developments such as theIloilo Business Park. Revitalization efforts were subsequently launched for Calle Real and the heritage district, including façade restorations, the underground installation of utility lines, the passage of stricter heritage conservation ordinances, and cultural programs aimed at promoting the area as both a commercial and tourist destination.[9][10]
The Iloilo Central Business District (CBD) is located within the City Proper district of Iloilo City, Philippines. The local government defines the boundaries of the CBD’s Heritage Core as the area bounded by Calle Real andMuelle Loney Street to the east,Plazoleta Gay to the north, Iznart Street to the west, portions of Rizal, Guanco, and Mapa Streets to the south, and Ortiz Street to the southeast. The Heritage Core covers a total area of approximately 14 hectares (0.14 km2).
The CBD's Conservation Expanded Area, which extends north to Yulo Street, further south along Rizal Street, and southeast to include the wholeIloilo City Civic Center, encompasses a total of 26 hectares (0.26 km2).[11]
Downtown Iloilo originally referred to the area now designated as the Iloilo Central Business District. As commercial development expanded within the City Proper, particularly toward Delgado and Valeria Streets, the definition of “downtown” broadened to include these newer areas. The Iloilo Central Business District consequently came to be known as Old Downtown Iloilo, distinguishing it from the larger Downtown Iloilo area that now encompasses much of the City Proper district.
Calle Real alone is noted for its concentration of early 20th-century commercial architecture. Many of the buildings along the street and its adjoining streets were constructed during the American colonial period, reflecting architectural styles such asneoclassical,beaux-arts, andart deco. Structures typically feature ornamented façades, arched windows, decorative pilasters, and cornices, while others incorporate streamlined geometric motifs characteristic of art deco design.
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The commercial center of Iloilo City has historically been concentrated in Calle Real and its surrounding areas since the Spanish colonial period. The district served as the hub of commerce, banking, and finance, hosting major businesses, trading houses, and retail establishments.[12]
In the 21st century, however, the city has experienced rapid modernization, and much of its economic activity has gradually shifted to newer business districts such as theIloilo Business Park inMandurriao. Despite this shift, the Iloilo Central Business District remains an active commercial area, supported by heritage-related tourism and local trade.[13]
The Iloilo Central Business District functions as both a commercial center and a heritage attraction. The district hosts walking tours, cultural events, and photography tours. Its preservation and adaptive reuse have reinforced Iloilo City’s reputation as one of the Philippines’ most well-preserved heritage cities.[14]
In recent years, the area has undergone extensive rehabilitation projects led by the city government and private stakeholders. These include the underground installation of utility cables, the brick paving of streets and sidewalks, the repainting of historic façades, and the introduction of an occasionalnight market to promote economic and cultural activity.[15]
TheNational Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) board resolution cites several reasons for the declaration of certain areas indowntown Iloilo City as a Heritage Zone or Historic Center:[16][17][18]
| Cultural Property wmph identifier[i] | Site name | Description | Province | City or municipality | Address | Coordinates | Image |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iloilo Customs House | Built in 1916, it is one of the three customs houses in the Philippines | Iloilo | City of Iloilo | Muelle Loney Street cor. Aduana Street | 10°41′39″N122°34′20″E / 10.694143°N 122.572159°E /10.694143; 122.572159 (Iloilo Customs House) | .jpg)  | |
| Celso Ledesma Mansion | A declared heritage house owned by Celso Ledesma, also known as the 'Eagle House' | Iloilo | City of Iloilo | Rizal Street cor. Ortiz Street | 10°41′30″N122°34′17″E / 10.691792°N 122.571380°E /10.691792; 122.571380 (Celso Ledesma Mansion) | | |
| Ker & Co. Building | An office and commercial building located behind the Iloilo City Hall | Iloilo | City of Iloilo | Ortiz Street | 10°41′37″N122°34′22″E / 10.693556°N 122.572881°E /10.693556; 122.572881 (Ker & Co. Building) | .jpg) | |
| The Masonic Temple | Built in 1928 with Greek and Renaissance-inspired designs, it once housed the Iloilo Lodge No. 11 and later served as the Japanese Army headquarters during World War II | Iloilo | City of Iloilo | J.M. Basa Street | 10°41′32″N122°34′24″E / 10.692085°N 122.573309°E /10.692085; 122.573309 (The Masonic Temple) | .jpg) | |
| DBP Building | Built in 1961, the DBP Building is being reconstructed to be converted into a multi-level parking building beside the Iloilo City Hall | Iloilo | City of Iloilo | Calasanz Street cor. De La Rama Street | 10°41′37″N122°34′25″E / 10.693671°N 122.573581°E /10.693671; 122.573581 (DBP Building) |  Upload Photo | |
| San Jose Parish Church | Considered the first church in the City of Iloilo, built in 1607 | Iloilo | City of Iloilo | Calasanz Street | 10°41′35″N122°34′27″E / 10.693054°N 122.574241°E /10.693054; 122.574241 (San Jose Parish Church) |  |
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