In the Nineties, the Zobel de Ayalas decided to redevelop Makati Commercial Center. They opted to merge the structures and enclose the open areas to build a single shopping mall. They also changed the name to Ayala Center. Learn more about the iconic location here:
It is hard to imagine patches of green in the Ayala Center, but it was so 60 years ago. Today, apart from the church park in the Greenbelt area, the rest of this commercial complex is completely enclosed in concrete. Negotiating the area means hopping from building to building via comfortably covered walkways or through an efficient underpass system.
It was not too long ago, however, when one could walk on grass, be shaded by trees and enjoy the open air in this commercial zone.
The area, then called Makati Commercial Center, was developed in the 1960s by the Zobel de Ayalas with the establishment of Rizal Theater; by the Seventies, it had begun to fill up with commercial establishments from retail stores to restaurants. Some of the iconic structures in the area included the Quad Theater which was designed by the leading architect of his time, Carlos Arguelles. It held four cinemas, an amusement centre with arcade and video games and shops. The adjacent Glorietta was mainly an open park, beautifully landscaped by the late National Artist Ildefonso Santos who is credited for designing the entire complex around his pioneering concept of outdoor shopping. Glorietta also had a centre stage for concerts and other activities that were open to the public.
In the Nineties, the Zobel de Ayalas decided to redevelop Makati Commercial Center. They opted to merge the structures and enclose the open areas to build a single shopping mall. They also changed the name to Ayala Center.
The Quad was incorporated into this single site but divided into four sections. The first three—Quad 1, Quad 2, Quad 3—opened in 1992. Quad 4 opened six years later with the launch of the Oakwood Premier serviced apartments and hotel, which would later rebrand to Ascott Makati. Quad would retain its name until 1997, after which it adopted its present name, Glorietta.
