Home of an illustrious past

Casa de Memoria harkens to a bygone era, yet it brings collectors to a modern context of the rich and deep history of Manila, once known as “The Pearl of the Orient,” and a true jewel of Asia during the American Commonwealth Period.

This is what makes The Casa the most unique auction house in the Philippines.

The Lhuillier-managed auction house specializes in European antiquities, paintings and objet d’arts.

The owners are focused on an experience replete in refined style, from its buyers’ dinners and private auctions—akin to world class standards, with silver and crystal, catered by Manila’s most talented chefs. The Casa Experience is the old world for the refined moderne.

The venue, Palacio de Memoria, is a gentrified, meticulously restored pre-war mansion along Roxas Boulevard.

Roxas Boulevard, or Dewey in its day, was home to large estates of prominent families, with access to Manila Bay. The Palacio is one of the last remaining homes with access to the boulevard, with a prestigious address—95 Roxas Blvd.

The seaside estate will now be home to five themed auctions within the year, with The Age of Exploration: East Meet West, scheduled for May 11 at 2 p.m. The remaining three auctions will be expanded in the restored seven-storey mansion, with scheduled events in July, September and November.

The Spanish Revival-styled villa is envisioned to be an art space and living museum—housing the changing collection, providing a venue for lectures and a not-to-be-missed dining experience for events.

Angie Lhuillier is enthusiastic with the new space. The auction house director noted, “Palacio de Memoria is the perfect homage to an age gone by, a touch of Europe, sold, auctioned at manageable pricing. It is without a doubt the first European auction house in the country, providing an international experience to buyers.”

“We envision it to be an oasis in the city, the house and the close to one hectare garden lends itself to elegant events. We are working with Manila’s best caterers to give our guests a feel of a golden age,” Lhuillier explained. “Imagine, it was beside the Los Tamaraos Polo Club, the first polo club organized by Filipinos during the Commonwealth since the Manila Polo Club was meant for Americans living in the Philippines at that time.”

“My sister, Angie (Lhuillier) and I are committed to telling a story of a great Filipino past. The Palacio is important to the history of Manila. This home, and its grounds will provide collectors and lovers of history a vignette of an era gone by,” added Camille Lhuillier, marketing manager for Casa de Memoria.

Noted heritage advocate Isidra Reyes commented about the awe-inspiring experience while visiting the Palacio:

“The very gracious Camille (Lhuillier) welcomed and toured us around the house starting with the grand foyer highlighted by a unique 18-light, six-foot tall Murano chandelier adorned with red rosettes, arched doorways, exquisitely marbled posts and the terrazzo flooring patterned with tinikling dancers amidst rustic Philippine scenery. The family wants to revive the style of entertaining for a new market—the home is steeped in history, and it would be like a living museum.”

For more information, The Age of Exploration: East Meets West catalog will be available at www.casadememoria.com and on Instagram, @casadememoria, before the 16th Auction on May 11 at 2 p.m. For inquiries please call (02) 253 3994.