The First United Building is an Art Deco structure located on Escolta Street in Binondo, Manila. Constructed in 1928, it was designed by a famous painter, Andres Luna de San Pedro, and became the highest structure in Manila when Escolta was considered a financial center. From housing several retail and department stores, consulates, and even film production studios, the First United Building is now a house for arts and culture as it supports creative startups mainly via an incubator called HUB: Make Lab. Inside the building are various local lifestyle businesses, such as The Den: Coffee & Contemporary Culture, a coffee shop space; Fred’s Revolución, a pub; and Glorious Dias, a vintage store; and Folk 1006, a barbershop. — Angela Kiara S. Brillantes
