“The earth is littered with the ruins of empire that believe they were eternal” – Camille Paglia

The Compañia Maritima Building, also known as the Maritima Ruins is a neoclassical heritage building located in Cebu City, Philippines. The building was built in 1910 and it was one of the first buildings constructed in the port area and was known by different names through history: Shamrock Hotel and Fernando Building before the war. 

Where is it even located?

The Compañia Maritima is a three-story building located in the waterfront area in the old district of Cebu near the east coast of SRP (South Road Properties) situated on Quezon Boulevard between P. Burgos and Lapu-lapu street. It is accessible from the Cebu City hall and Carbon Market.

Architectural Design

The architectural design of the building is characterized as neoclassical, which were the typical structures constructed during the American colonial period, the design featured prominent arched windows, classical pilasters, ornamental beams, and sculptured railings on the roof decks. Karl Cabilao, an architect said that its facade is at its times reminiscent of beautiful renaissance palazzos in Europe. 

History Background 

Fernandez Building 

The building was built in 1910 on reclaimed land where the then new port of Cebu was established. The building was popularly known as the “Fernandez Building” and it was one of the first buildings constructed in the port area. The building was founded by brothers Jose and Ramon Fernandez and they owned it. 

Shamrock Hotel

It is uncertain when the Manila Steamship Company’s offices occupied the building’s first floor and the Shamrock Hotel on the upper floors. However, according to the author Lucy Urgello Miller, the hotel — whose proprietor was Mike Ryan as shown on the 1937 advertising postcard — occupied the building during the 1930s. Due to the port’s nearby location, people can disembark from shipping vessels and cross the street for accommodation. 

Compañia Maritima Building 

Despite the damages from bombings in World War II, the building survived. After repairs were made during the post-war era, it became the location of the Compañia Maritima de Cebu, one of the successful pre-war companies established in 1886 and the biggest shipping firm in the Philippines whose vessels navigated within western and southern Mindanao ports. The building filed for bankruptcy in 1980 and the building was abandoned.

Property Ownership

The land which stands is the subject of an ownership dispute between the Cebu City Port Authority and the Cebu City government. The port area near the Compañia Maritimawas reclaimed to construct the viaduct that connected to the tunnel from SRP to McArthur Boulevard, and resulting reclaimed a lot was given by the Department of Public Works and Highways to the CPA through a memorandum of agreement. In 2013, Mayor Mike Rama and the city government issued a tax declaration of its possession but it was vetoed in court stating the area is no longer considered a shipping dock.