Cover The Corner House
The Corner House
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The stunning space along P Guevarra Street houses mostly food and beverage outlets, among other businesses, encouraging guests from the surrounding communities and beyond to come and linger
Approaching the corner of P Guevarra and Maytunas streets from CM Recto, the imposing facade of The Corner House looms over like a blazing white beacon to those looking for a place to unwind in the quiet San Juan neighbourhood that is now a mix of residential and commercial developments.
The multi-level structure was built on the property where chef Gene Gonzalez’s iconic Cafe Ysabel used to stand (now located not too far away on M Paterno Street), inspired by a development in Thailand called The Commons, which was designed by the firm Department of Architecture headed by principal architect Amata Luphaiboon. The same firm was tasked with designing The Corner House, which boasts basement parking, both al fresco and air-conditioned spaces, plus an indoor track that wraps around the building.
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This is the first development of Arthur Dichaves and his four siblings. He and his brothers all went to the Chinese Jesuit-run school nearby. Aimee, their youngest and only sister, owns and operates AM Espresso on the second floor, serving coffee from beans roasted in-house and pastries that she and her mum bake.
“We really built it for the kids, so they have somewhere to go to besides the malls,” Dichaves admits. Having spent a lot of time in the area during their childhood, he shares how he and his siblings have a soft spot for this part of Metro Manila. “It is also our way of doing something for the community,” he points out, “where people from the neighbourhood can come and do their daily activities.” He shares how when they visited Bangkok, they spent a lot of time at The Commons because there was a play area that the kids enjoyed, allowing the grown-ups some quiet time at the cafes and restaurants.
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The Corner House soft-opened last quarter of 2023, and its spaces are slowly filling up with F&B outlets, as well as possible crowd-drawers such as a play school and dermatology clinic, too. “We are the ones who invite tenants because I like to curate our partner mix,” Dichaves explains. “We really want it to have a good combination of services that the community needs to accompany the food and beverage brands that will have.” The sprawling One World Deli in the basement provides the neighbourhood not only with ingredients for their gourmet home-cooked meals but also has a restaurant that has become a gathering place for those looking for no-fuss dishes prepared well. On the top floor with city views, craft cocktail bar Raion has been so popular that even Dichaves admits he has trouble reserving a table for himself and his friends.
A food hall with both air-conditioned and al fresco dining areas is carefully gathering force, its mix of tenants includes everything from yakiniku to pizza, and pata tim. In the spirit of community and collaboration, food court customers can order from the other restaurants in the building, which includes the lobster rolls of Bun Appetit and decadent crepes from soon-to-open Prologue. “We want to keep the atmosphere relaxed,” Dichaves says. “Why do we have to impose rules that stop our customers from enjoying everything the place has to offer?”
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While The Corner House is a place of commerce, it really is more of an alternative to the concrete boxes that populate the local cityscape. While those, too, are wonderful and serve a purpose, the spacious and breathable alternative that Dichaves offers is a welcome reprieve from what has become the norm. It is a space where the community can indulge in an active lifestyle that also provides them with services made available in one convenient stop. While city life has become about doing everything quickly and efficiently, The Corner House encourages us to take pause, linger, and settle into the nuances of life.
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Jaclyn Clemente Koppe is a food and lifestyle writer, as well as a consultant to some of the country’s beloved food and beverage brands. Her passion for food and drink is only surpassed by her devotion to her family, most especially to her soulmate, Pepa the poodle.
