Plaza Lacson

Plaza Lacson, also known by its old name, Plaza Goiti, is a public square in Santa Cruz, Manila. It is bounded by Plaza Santa Cruz and Escolta Street to the west, Carlos Palanca Street to the south, and Carriedo Street to the east. Although the plaza is not considered the center of Santa Cruz, as it is located behind the Santa Cruz Church rather than in front of it, the plaza is considered to be one of the most important squares in Manila.Originally named after Martin de Goiti, who founded the City of Manila in 1571, it was renamed by Mayor Lito Atienza in 2003 after Arsenio Lacson, who previously served as mayor of Manila from 1952 to 1962.HistoryPrior to World War II, Plaza Lacson was considered the heart of Manila, and constituted part of the city's downtown area, which also included Plaza Santa Cruz, Rizal Avenue and Escolta Street. Commercial activity shifted to here from Binondo in large part due to infrastructure improvements made during the American colonial period to improve access to the northern half of the city, which were centered on the plaza. These included the completion of the Santa Cruz Bridge in 1902, and the opening of the Manila tram system a few years later, which had its central terminal at the plaza. The area around the plaza was largely commercial, with bars and restaurants that catered largely to American servicemen either visiting or stationed in the Philippines, complementing the luxury stores along Escolta and the theaters around Plaza Santa Cruz.