The grand chandelier that once welcomed guests at Sofitel Manila is now up for auction

The chandelier represents a rare opportunity to own a fragment of Philippine hospitality history.

The closure of the iconic Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila continues to stir nostalgia, this time after an art enthusiast shared her surprise at discovering that one of the hotel’s grand chandeliers is now being auctioned off.

In a post that has since caught the attention of heritage and design lovers, the visitor shared photos of the massive lighting fixture displayed inside León Gallery in Makati.

“Grand chandelier from the old Sofitel up for bids at @leongallerymakati. Beautiful, my jaw dropped!” the art collector wrote.

The chandelier is part of León Gallery’s LeónExchange 40 Online Auction, scheduled for July 25 onwards, where collectors can bid on artworks, antiques, furniture, and other rare collectibles. Among the standout pieces is the chandelier salvaged from the former luxury hotel—a reminder of one of Manila’s most recognizable landmarks.

For many Filipinos, the fixture is more than an elegant decorative piece. It evokes memories of weddings, diplomatic receptions, family celebrations, Sunday brunches, and countless stays at the bayside hotel that defined Manila luxury for nearly five decades.

Designed by National Artists Leandro Locsin and Ildefonso P. Santos, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila opened in 1976 and became famous for its sweeping Manila Bay sunsets, lagoon-style pool, and the internationally acclaimed Spiral buffet restaurant. The 607-room hotel was considered one of the country’s architectural and hospitality icons.

Its story came to an abrupt halt on July 1, 2024, when management permanently ceased operations after citing serious structural and safety concerns. Reports pointed to aging infrastructure, repeated fire incidents, and the deterioration of the building’s electrical systems and underground water pipes as reasons behind the closure.

Although the hotel building still stands within the Cultural Center of the Philippines complex, its future remains uncertain. The gradual appearance of fixtures and furnishings at auction has become another poignant reminder that pieces of the landmark are beginning to find new homes.

For collectors, the chandelier represents a rare opportunity to own a fragment of Philippine hospitality history. For many who once walked beneath its lights, however, it is also a bittersweet symbol of an era that has quietly faded into memory.

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