Ayala Avenue's segment from the present-day Gil Puyat (Buendia) Avenue to Makati Avenue used to be the primary runway of the Nielson Airport, which was inaugurated in 1937 and was one of the first airports built in Luzon, while its extension occupies a segment of an old road that connected the Santa Ana Park and McKinley–Pasay Road.[3][4][5] The airport was destroyed during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines on December 10, 1941, and resumed operations after the end World War II in 1947. The airport closed in 1948 and its permanent facilities were passed on the owner of the land, Ayala y Compañía. The runways were then converted into roads as part of Ayala's plan to build a new business district in the area.[6] The modern avenue was completed in the mid-1950s,[7] eventually connecting it to Highway 54 (now EDSA).[8]
It later created a new segment between Kamagong Street in San Antonio Village and Metropolitan Avenue, connecting it to South Avenue.[9] In 1998, a flyover was built for left turners onto EDSA northbound.[10]
The middle lane of Ayala Avenue is designated as a public transport lane, while the outermost lane is designated as a bicycle lane.
In 2020, in response to the growing popularity of bicycle commuting and ownership amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, the Makati Central Estate Association (MaCEA) and Ayala Land through its Make it Makati campaign designated 3-meter-wide (9.8 ft) bicycle lanes along Ayala Avenue from Gil Puyat Avenue to EDSA, protected by bollards and exclusive to non-motorized bicycles and scooters. Bicycle boxes were also added to intersections to allow left-turns. The lanes underwent a trial run on August 7, 2020, and were completed on September 7, 2020. Following this, designated stops for public transport services were also moved to the middle lane of the road.[11]
Shared lanes scheme controversy
On February 10, 2023, Make It Makati announced that the Ayala Avenue bicycle lanes would be changed into sharrows starting February 15, 2023, allowing both motor vehicles and public transport vehicles to use the lane.[12][13] This announcement was met with opposition from cyclists, commuters, and several organizations, who argued that the removal of physical protection on bicycle lanes along major roads would compromise their safety and discourage cycling. Make It Makati had responded to the negative feedback by justifying the changes as a response to increased public transport demand and "to better serve the needs of everyone in the community". Despite the backlash, they announced they would push through with the changes.[14][15]
In response, several individuals and organizations formed the #MakeItSaferMakati movement and signed a joint statement addressed to Ayala Land in opposition to the sharrows scheme.[16] The opposed parties also expressed concern that the proposed removal of physically protected bicycle lanes on Ayala Avenue is part of a larger trend of removing similar schemes all across the country.[13][15]
On February 12, 2023, the movement participated in a protest bike ride along Ayala Avenue, demanding the recantation of the sharrows scheme and their opposition to the removal of physical protection from bicycle lanes. In response, Make It Makati issued an announcement on February 14 stating that it would defer the implementation of the sharrows scheme to March 6, 2023, to collect feedback and engage in dialogue with the biking community.[17][18] The #MakeItSaferMakati movement has stated that representatives of Ayala Land have reached out to them, assuring that the scheme will be deferred until "they have collected feedback and engaged in a dialogue with the biking community to exchange ideas and best practices."[18]
The Ayala Triangle is a sub-district of the Makati Central Business District, comprising the parcel of land between Ayala Avenue, Makati Avenue and Paseo de Roxas, as well as the buildings on those streets. Ayala Corporation itself and many of its subsidiaries and affilities, many multinational companies, banks and other major businesses are located within the triangle. A few upscale boutiques, restaurants and a park called Ayala Triangle Gardens are also located in the area.
PBCom Tower, one of the tallest buildings in the Philippines, is located at Ayala Avenue and V.A. Rufino Street. It serves as the headquarters of the Philippine Bank of Communications. It was the tallest building in the Philippines from 2000 to 2017.
Apartment Ridge
Apartment Ridge is a complex of apartment and condominium buildings along the streets of Makati and Ayala Avenues outside Urdaneta Village. In this area, The Peninsula Manila, Makati Tuscany, Discovery Primea, The Estate Makati, Ritz Towers, Pacific Plaza Condominium, Twin Towers, and Urdaneta Apartments are located along the avenue.
Government-owned buildings
Makati City Police Station
Makati City Fire Station
Other famous buildings
Ayala Avenue is home to many other landmark buildings, which house many large Philippine businesses including:
^O'Gorman Anderson, Benedict Richard (2003). Southeast Asia Over Three Generations: Essays Presented to Benedict R. O'G. Anderson. SEAP Publications. pp. 291–294. ISBN0877277354.
^Metro Manila Street Guide (Map) (2nd ed.). Philippine Map Co., Inc.
N190 (Gil Puyat Avenue)
AH 26 (N1) (EDSA)
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