La Insular Cigar Factory (Plaza Calderon De La Barca, Binondo)
MANILA VISTAS: BEYOND NOSTALGIA
Digital Manila Project
Render and Photo Editing: Kathryna Lee
The Insular Cigar & Cigarette Factory Building was built in 1888. The Moorish-inspired structure was designed by Spanish architect Jose Huervas y Arizmendi and instantly became a major landmark of the Plaza Calderon de la Barca (Lorenzo Ruiz) in Binondo.
It housed the offices, factories, and warehouses of the La Insular Cigar Factory, which was established by Joaquin Santa Marina in the 1880s. The factory produced both
cigars and cigarillos (cigarettes) for local consumption and export.
The iconic Neo-Mudejar building burnt down in September 1944 after being hit by bombs dropped by US bombers.
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