Ever since I was I child, everytime we visit my grandparents' home in the province, we always pass by this abandoned edifice. And ever since, I have always wondered what was that building for in the past. Now, a facebook page has finally answered my childhood curiosity.
Found at the north end of the Cebu South Coastal Roads at the South Road Properties, we know this building today to be Compañia Maritima building. However, in the 1930s it operated as the Shamrock Hotel. The building was built in 1910 and was known as the Fernandez Building. It was owned by the Fernandez Hermanos, Inc and was originally built as an office for the Manila Steamship Company. By the 1930’s Mike Ryan occupied the building and operated the Shamrock Hotel there. The first Shamrock bakery and restaurant was also located here. After the Second World War, the building was repaired and was occupied by the Comapnia Maritima, one of the biggest shipping companies in Cebu. Today, the building is unoccupied and serves as a historical landmark. This is again close to the Malacañang of the South and Gotiaco Building.
-I am cebuano
