Editing Ermita (section)

===American and Commonwealth era (1900–1944)===
[[File:Manila Burnham Plan.jpg|240px|thumb|left|Burnham Plan of Manila, 1905]]
Ermita gained renewed prominence during the [[History of the Philippines (1898-1946)|American]] and [[Commonwealth of the Philippines|Commonwealth era]]. As part of [[Daniel Burnham]]'s plans for Manila, influenced by the [[City Beautiful movement]] during the early 1900s, Ermita, alongside [[Intramuros]]' surrounding areas, had undergone a drastic redevelopment from being the ''outskirts'' to urban districts. In 1901, with the chartering of Manila,<ref>{{cite act|index=183|title=An act to incorporate the City of Manila |url=https://lawyerly.ph/laws/view/l8b5e |date=July 31, 1901|access-date=June 6, 2022}}</ref> Ermita would be absorbed by the city of Manila when its area was expanded outside the walled [[Intramuros]].

Burnham envisioned the district, especially in the northern portion, to be the center of the Philippine government, redeveloping Luneta into a grand park patterned after that of the [[National Mall]] in [[Washington, D.C.]] Government buildings housing the legislative, executive and judicial branches were planned to be located in the area. A proposed Philippine capitol was also planned to be built at the eastern tip of Luneta Park but never materialized.<ref>{{cite web |title=(5) The Plan: Manila |url=https://burnhampi.wordpress.com/2010/06/06/the-plan-manila/ |website=Burnham in the Philippines}}</ref>
[[File:AL-135 Highfill Album Image (15340671201).jpg|260px|thumb|Aerial view of Ermita District facing Manila Bay]]
It also became known as the university district, containing the campuses and dormitories of the [[Philippine Normal University]],<ref>pnu.edu.ph</ref> the [[University of the Philippines]], the [[Ateneo de Manila University|Ateneo de Manila]], the [[Adamson University]], the [[Assumption College San Lorenzo|Assumption College]] and [[St. Paul University (Philippines)|St. Paul College]]. The residential portion of Ermita was populated by American residents, who set up such establishments as the Army and Navy Club and the University Club.<ref>By Sword and Fire: The Destruction of Manila in World War II 3 February – 3 March 1945, p. 89</ref>

Aside from its universities and leisure clubs, Ermita district, as well as its adjacent district, Malate, which both happened to be facing Manila Bay, were once home to Manila's high society and were filled with large, gilded mansions. Manila's wealthiest families used to live in the twin suburbs.

One notable structure built was the [[Insular Ice Plant]], designed by consulting architect Edgar K. Bourne, who was also the head of the Bureau of Architecture in 1902 (under the [[Philippine Commission]]).