Buildings with character



http://www.thestar.com.my/hp/spotlight/2004/2/spot2102.jpg



When every tourist destination in the world can offer beaches, Prada handbags and cappucino, what is unique about Malaysia? What about our historical towns? More important than the tourist dollar, would we lose our identity if our traditional architecture were "developed" into Western-style "modern" buildings? ANDREW SIA examines what various heritage experts have to say.





http://thestar.com.my/archives/2004/2/21/features/p2beachStreet.jpg

A pre-war building on Beach Street, George Town.--Photo by K.T. GOH.







Heritage is becoming a crucial tourism product. After all, the best way to compete against Thailand’s nightlife/beaches, China’s cheap shopping and Bali’s temples is to promote something uniquely Malaysian. Indeed, our mix of historical Malay, Chinese, Indian and colonial buildings (and the culture associated with them) is found nowhere else in the world.

More important than the tourist dollar, our architecture is part of our identity. For instance, if Malacca’s antique shophouses were renovated beyond recognition with sheet glass, aluminium windows and shiny new tiles, perhaps the most concrete part of the Baba-Nyonya legacy would have disappeared – with only textbooks, food recipes and old photographs left to tell their story.

Indeed, our rich heritage has seen lots of bad news – demolitions, unsuitable renovations, traditional craftsmen being evicted – for years. Can this trend be reversed?

Two weeks ago, Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting announced that owners of heritage buildings and sites will get tax deductions and financial aid from the Government following proposed amendments to the Town and Country Planning Act, 1976.

“It’s not fair to owners if they cannot afford to develop their heritage buildings and yet the Government does not allow them to tear it down,” he said.

The amendments, expected to be passed by Parliament next month, would also involve setting up a Heritage Fund plus a National Heritage Board (NHB) to assist local authorities to identify, manage and protect such buildings and sites. Proposed penalties include a RM1mil fine or five years jail.

“We cannot measure our land in monetary terms. We also have to measure it for the historical and cultural values it possesses,” said Ong.

StarWeekend has comments from a panel of experts:

Enforcement

“The proposals are very welcome. The maximum fine and jail sentence will serve as a deterrent,” says Khoo Salma Nasution, a heritage advocate based in Penang.





http://thestar.com.my/archives/2004/2/21/features/p3chua.jpg

Josephine Chua of the Malacca Historical Resource Society.







“Actually, even with the laws now, we can already protect heritage. But priority is lacking.”

Malacca has had a (theoretically) strict Cultural Preservation Enactment since 1988 but enforcement by the Malacca Municipal Council has been weak, notes Josephine Chua, Malacca Historical Resource Society honorary secretary.

As an example, many heritage houses have been converted into bird’s nest harvesting centres (but the dampness and bird droppings slowly eat away at the old wooden beams and tile floors). On Jan 1, 2003, these centres were supposed to have been shifted out of old Malacca. Instead, according to Chua, there are even more now, some right in the historical Jonker and Heeren Street area.

Heritage architect Lim Huck Chin points out that the core of Malacca has been gazetted as a preservation area and yet nearly 50 complete and partial demolitions have been carried out since 2000 (one of which was the first Malacca Umno office).

Law Siak Hong, Perak Heritage Society vice-president, adds that the proposed NHB is “excellent” but fears that its role to “assist” local authorities will lack any real bite.

“Will it be another Suhakam?” he asks.






Local government



Salma underlines that Federal heritage policy (such as the NHB) needs to be implemented where the action happens – at local government level.

“That means proper local planning and zoning. When the municipal council endangers a heritage building by allowing a highrise to come up next to it, there is no point using government money to pay for its rescue,” she notes.

“The Penang state government promised a one-stop approval for heritage projects. But applications to restore a house can be delayed for months due to bureaucratic hassles.”





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Lim Huck Chin, heritage architect.







Lim laments, “Even in Malacca, our most historical city, the local authorities lack knowledge, experience and professionalism about heritage.”

One basic conservation fact is that walls of old buildings need to “breathe” and should only be painted with lime wash, not modern oil-based paints.

Chua relates, “The local authorities in Malacca used the wrong kind of paint and the old buildings rejected it. Eventually, the paint began to come off.”

In Perak, Law comments that the historical Ipoh Pekan Baru police station was demolished because the Ipoh City Council “did not even bother” to check its background.

To make the NHB work, Salma suggests that “conservation units” be set up in local authorities.





Living heritage


What is Penang’s Little India without old spice shops and teh tarik stalls? What is its Chinatown without the man who makes joss-sticks and who roasts coffee the traditional way? Is heritage about preserving our old buildings and then putting Starbucks and Kentucky Fried Chicken into them?

Unlike the silent temple walls of Angkor Wat, Penang is a potential Unesco World Heritage Site because of its “living cultural heritage”. This aspect of heritage has not been sufficiently addressed in the new amendments.

“Malaysia must move away from the Monument Mentality,” says Lim. “It’s not just about the buildings. It’s also about the surrounding social fabric and cultural environment.”

Since rentals were decontrolled on Jan 1, Malacca’s “main conservation area” has lost more than 40 traditional trades (shoemakers, goldsmiths, Indian barbers, blacksmiths, biscuit makers etc). Meanwhile, more than 150 tourist-oriented cafés and souvenir shops (many with Balinese and Thai handicrafts) have mushroomed.

Back in Oct 2001, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam stated that regulations to protect vanishing trades would be introduced but the reality on the ground did not reflect the announcement. Will Malacca end up with nicely preserved old buildings in a kind of theme park or historical Disneyland?

“Heritage is also about improving the liveability of the town and preserving the community rather than just catering to tourists,” says Lim.






Protect what exactly?



Owners and contractors are taking the easiest, cheapest and loudest routes; replacing wooden shutter windows with bland aluminium/sheet glass, plastering, painting over ornate stucco work and putting up huge advertising signages that detract from the old buildings.




http://thestar.com.my/archives/2004/2/21/features/p2door.jpg

A well-maintained red lacquer and gold leaf door in George Town.--Photo by UU BAN LEONG.





“The new laws must be comprehensive in protection. For instance, more than 200 heritage buildings in Malacca have had unsuitable renovations,” says Lim.

He adds that heritage buildings also need protection from their neighbours, like when Penang’s magnificent Cheong Fatt Tze mansion was damaged when a neighbouring hotel expanded.

“The new law should also consider protecting heritage properties from inappropriate use, such as birds’ nest houses,” he suggests.

Under the proposed amendments, a building or site is to be defined as having “special heritage interest” if it has:


- hitectural, historical, artistic or cultural value

- stong association with a person or community

- scientific or geological value.




Apart from the obvious choices of beautiful old shophouses, schools and temples, Law points out that we have also grossly neglected “industrial heritage” such as rubber smokehouses, tin mining dredges and palongs, sawmills and tobacco drying sheds.

“These are the places where our forefathers used to work,” he says.

Even under current laws, there are implementation problems. According to Lim, the Porta de Santiago (Santiago Gate – Malacca’s most famous landmark often mistakenly known as A Famosa) is gazetted as a National Monument. But the recently discovered Santiago Bastion is not although it’s part of the same structure and of equal historic importance.

“The bastion is under enormous threat, mostly from the shopping centre development merely a few feet away from it,” he notes.

Salma suggests that there be two levels of protection: a strict one for buildings of national significance, and a more flexible one for those of state or local significance.

“It is difficult for owners to commit to very high levels of protection where they might lose all control of their properties,” she explains.

“Smaller incentives can be given as long as owners agree to respect some guidelines for its preservation and care.”





Modus operandi



The issue of heritage preservation can be quite complex, explains Salma.

Firstly, there is the big question: how will heritage buildings be identified?

“Someone has to prepare the “dossier” of sites. Local authorities need to have proper conservation units but the level of qualifications might be low because of civil service salary scales,” she clarifies.

She suggests that the Housing and Local Government Ministry would probably need to set up a special team and work with university researchers.

“And of course, there are always expensive consultants. Foreign funding and expertise are available for this sort of thing and should be explored,” she adds.

She thinks that a “points system” should be established to determine the amount of funding from the Heritage Fund. The recommended criteria are:

· degree of historical or cultural significance.

· is it endangered and needs rescuing urgently?

· will the project synergise with other heritage schemes? (For instance Penang’s historical Acheh Street Muslim enclave is very close to the island’s famous Khoo Kongsi)

· will the owner or the government maintain the building in future?

Then there is the question of who will be on the NHB?

“Like the Royal Police Commission, the NHB should have representatives from non-governmental (conservation) bodies,” says Law.

What will the money from the Heritage Fund be used for? Where will the priorities be? For instance, the Malacca Municipal Council is spending RM91.2mil to dredge the Malacca River and beautify it with pedestrian walkways.

“But they had no money for old buildings which are going to topple,” quips Chua.



New approaches


Many owners are ignorant of their building’s cultural and historical value, according to Lim.



http://thestar.com.my/archives/2004/2/21/features/p2roof.jpg

The work of crafstmen from China crown the Leong San Tong temple in George Town.--Photo by K.T. GOH.




“Few would propose their properties for listing fearing new restrictions on future alterations. Heritage buildings are generally regarded as a burden and an obstacle. Attitudes need to change more than laws!” he stresses.

“Tax deductions are a start but owners must also be persuaded to keep, maintain and use their heritage buildings appropriately.”

It’s not just a question of luring the tourist dollar but also basic pride in our own (architectural) heritage.

“In Japan, England and Australia, children are taken to heritage sites as part of their education,” says Salma.

“This should be part of Malaysian education too. We should promote a sense of our own history, not just read about it in books.”

Sometimes there are mismatches.

Law says, “Other government departments promote a kind of development where kampung folk want to live in poorly designed brick homes and abandon their beautifully-made wooden houses.”

“I think school heritage clubs are far more relevant and exciting than a historical society. And why not include some elements into National Service?”




Conclusion


From all the feedback, it is clear that if this latest initiative from the Housing and Local Government Ministry is designed and implemented correctly, we will be able to create world-class tourism products.

Australia, with an architectural history of just over 200 years, has successfully preserved and promoted its old buildings as attractions which we Malaysians fly all the way to see. Yet we have wonderful Sino-Paladian-Malay shophouses (that means Chinese, Western and Malay architecture all-in-one) found nowhere else in the world. And we’ve been allowing such buildings to be demolished, to slowly decay or to be renovated/modernised/Westernised beyond recognition.

While buildings built by our colonial masters – such as KL’s Sultan Abdul Samad building, Malacca’s Stadthuys and A Famosa as well as Penang’s Fort Cornwallis – are totally protected under the law, buildings built by our own forefathers are in danger of disappearing. Why do we lack such pride in ourselves?

Ultimately, changes to the law can only do so much. Basic attitudes might also be questioned: Is our greatest achievement the construction of Western-style skyscrapers? Or can we celebrate what’s uniquely Malaysian? W

Penang

"Modern 38 storey engulfs a colonial-time mansion"

taken by cheah wei
http://photojuice.topcities.com/penang.html
http://photojuice.topcities.com/photo/penang/Img2002-12-20_0023.jpg

Penang

"Modern 38 storey engulfs a colonial-time mansion"

taken by cheah wei
http://photojuice.topcities.com/penang.html
http://photojuice.topcities.com/photo/penang/Img2002-12-20_0023.jpg


Actually thats what they should do in KL...too many precious buildings lost to development in recent years which could be saved or integrated into the modern development.

A good example would be Cheong Yoke Choy Mansion which is situated at the present site office of Berjaya Times Square! ....they could have preserved it as it is not obstructing the project! ......I am still angry that they demolished the building. :rant:

Another building that I think could be saved would be the charming Bukit Bintang Girls School building........a modern development could easily preserved that as the heritage building only occupied a small piece of land there (the rest of the school are built much later). Furthermore the building is kinda close to the road leaving ample space for any kind of development! :bleep:

....finally The Pavillion Theatre! :rant: .......they tore down the building for carpark!!! :bleep:.....anyway I am positive that they would built something there but I still think the building should be preserved as well.............. :rant:

Penang

"Modern 38 storey engulfs a colonial-time mansion"

taken by cheah wei
http://photojuice.topcities.com/penang.html
http://photojuice.topcities.com/photo/penang/Img2002-12-20_0023.jpg

i thought 31 stories:D

Wow, the mansion looks so tiny when "swallowed up" by Northam Tower...
http://photojuice.topcities.com/photo/penang/Img2002-12-20_0023.jpg

i thought 31 stories:D

hehe..make salah oredi :D

Pic by Pablo
http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/house1.jpg

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? :no:

Pic by Pablo
http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/house1.jpg

Are you thinking what I'm thinking? :no:

maybe restoration sounds better??

let's start with one of the most popular one

Kek Lok Si temple, more than 100 yrs old
(pics by Choo Tse Chien)
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Kek_Lok_Si_Temple_5_.jpeg?1206
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Kek_Lok_Si_Temple_3_.jpeg?35
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Kek_Lok_Si_Temple_4_.jpeg?2767
(pics by Timothy Tye)
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Kek_Lok_Si_Temple_1_.jpeg?2128
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Kek_Lok_Si_Temple_2_.jpeg?3100
what you see here aren't 100yrs old though(if i'm not mistaken). not sure which part is. maybe the tortoise pond??:D

Pics and subtitles by Choo Tse Chien

Standard Chartered Building Beach Street Georgetown Penang
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Standard_Chartered_Building_1_.jpeg?6039
The colonial British left Georgetown with an indellible architectural mark even up to today (after all they only left in 1957). A big part of the charm of Penang is the many colonial buildings in Georgetown and after years of tear down & rebuild modernisation, there is now a new urgency to restore & maintain such buildings. The Standard Chartered building is located along Beach Street, one of the first streets of Penang after its discovery by Sir Francis Light in 1789 and the banking & financial hub of Penang.

Colonial Building Georgetown Dispensary Beach Street Penang
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661924637613_ColonialBuildingGeorgetownDispensaryBeachStreetPenang.jpg?4903
The colonial British left Georgetown with an indellible architectural mark even up to today (after all they only left in 1957). A big part of the charm of Penang is the many colonial buildings in Georgetown and after years of tear down & rebuild modernisation, there is now a new urgency to restore & maintain such buildings.

Government Building Along Farquhar Street Georgetown Penang
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661924637621_GovernmentBuildingAlngFarquharStreetGeorgetownPenang.jpg?2518
The colonial British left Georgetown with an indellible architectural mark even up to today (after all they only left in 1957). A big part of the charm of Penang is the many colonial buildings in Georgetown and after years of tear down & rebuild modernisation, there is now a new urgency to restore & maintain such buildings. Many are now used by the state government as offices, museums and courthouses.

Southern Bank Building Beach Street Georgetown Penang
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661924637636_SouthernBankBulidingBeachStreetGeorgetownPenang.jpg?2221
The colonial British left Georgetown with an indellible architectural mark even up to today (after all they only left in 1957). A big part of the charm of Penang is the many colonial buildings in Georgetown and after years of tear down & rebuild modernisation, there is now a new urgency to restore & maintain such buildings. The Southern Bank building is located along Beach Street, one of the first streets of Penang after its discovery by Sir Francis Light in 1789 and the banking & financial hub of Penang.

St George Church Pitt Street
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661924637637_StGeorgeChurchPittStreet.jpg?8104

Campbell Street Market Facade
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661924762552_CambellStreetMarketFrontage.jpg?2788

Customs & Excise Dept Building With Clock Tower Georgetown
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661925047910_CustomsExciseDeptBuildingWithClockTowerGeorgetown.jpg?2268

City Hall Building With Colonial Architecture Georgetown
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619GovernmentBuildingWithColonialArchitectureGeorgetown.jpg?7599

No 10 Downing Street
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619No10DowningStreet.jpg?8244
Yes, we have our own Downing Street (Lebuh Downing) and this building being No.10, we too have our No.10 Downing Street although you won't find Tony Blair walking in and out anytime soon - The British founded Penang Island (then called Prince Of Wales Island) in 1786 and finally left in 1957.

:cry: I love this thread. I really need to go to Penang lah. Love the way they preserve the facade ler! Though with some colors and repaint, their old charm still prevail! :cry:

More! More!

:cry: I love this thread. I really need to go to Penang lah. Love the way they preserve the facade ler! Though with some colors and repaint, their old charm still prevail! :cry:

More! More!

those are the nicer ones. ugly ones comming soon :bash:

Clock Tower Commemorating On Queen Victoria's Jubilee
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661925047908_ClockTowerOnQueenVictoriasJubilee.jpg?7452
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661925047909_ClockTower.jpg?7088
One of Penang's most easily distinguisable landmark is the olde Clock Tower at the Farquhar Street / Beach Street circus near Fort Cornwallis. Built by a local philantrophist to commemorate Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee (1837-1897), the clock still chimes to the hour today.

India House Along Beach Street Georgetown Penang
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661924637623_IndiaHouseAlongBeachStreetGeorgetownPenang.jpg?5774
The colonial British left Georgetown with an indellible architectural mark even up to today (after all they only left in 1957). A big part of the charm of Penang is the many colonial bulidings in Georgetown and after years of tear down & rebuild modernisation, there is now a new urgency to restore & maintain such bulidings. India House is located along Beach Street, one of the first streets of Penang after its discovery by Sir Francis Light in 1789 and the banking & financial hub of Penang.

Pre WW2 Buildings Along Love Lane Penang
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661924637633_PreWW2BuildingsAlongLoveLanePenang.jpg?2675
The colonial British left Georgetown with an indellible architectural mark even up to today (after all they only left in 1957). A big part of the charm of Penang is the many colonial bulidings in Georgetown and after years of tear down & rebuild modernisation, there is now a new urgency to restore & maintain such bulidings. A large part of Georgetown inner city are made up of pre World War II multistoried terrace shophouses and many carry the unique architectural features of colonial straits styles.

^this needs repainting

Touching pics! And Inida House is a great Art Deco one! But the shopboards kacau liao! :bash:

Prewar Facade Kampung Malabar
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661926280782_PrewarFacadeKampungMalabar2.jpg?6684

Row Of Prewar Shophouses At Kampung Malabar
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661926521253_RowOfPrewarShophousesAtKampungMalabar.jpg?8337

Pillars Of Wan Hai Hotel Love Lane
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661926721486_NEWPillarsOfWanHaiHotelLoveLane.jpg?6655

Touching pics! And Inida House is a great Art Deco one! But the shopboards kacau liao! :bash:

yeah, should take down those.

i think it will be awesome if they light up the pillars at night

Looks kinda like Singapore!

Great pictures! Great find TYW! :okay:

Must get Redstone to visit this thread!....I am sure he'll love it! ;)

City Hall looks alot like the old Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Chambers.
http://picas.nhb.gov.sg/data/tn_pcd/19980007377-8105-3181-0353/img0097.jpg

Shophouses are very common in Singapore.It gets so common that you may not look at them.

He posted even before you mention it! :cool:

They are a link Malaya's European colonial past.

I think it is miracle that some of them still remain, stood against the test of time, bombarment of war, demolition for commercial purposes.

Like House Of Tan Yeok Nee in Singapore.Somehow, it survived the death of the owner, occupancy by several more owners, commercialisation into the Salvation Army HQ, the bombardment of war.In a very bad state, the then 110 year old Chinese courtyard house was finally painstakingly restored and is now home to the University of Chicago GSB.

:eek2:

SIMPLY SIMPLY INSPIRING AND TIMELESS

Errmm....how much is a ticket on Airasia to Penang?? :D

Shophouses are very common in Singapore.It gets so common that you may not look at them.


Same here in Malaysia.....nearly every town there are tons of shophouses.......esp in Penang and KL.......;)

So many that in fact most of them are torn down in the 70s to be replaced by those ugly 70s 'shophouses' :rant:

But Penang still got a lot........I think the govt must preserve em......they are all around KOMTAR! :D

No 10 Downing Street
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619No10DowningStreet.jpg?8244


This is a nice colonial building but I hate the way they 'restored' it. Actually it isn't really restored.....just repainted only. I hate seeing those aircond compressors jutting out of the building and some of the windows sealed.......If I got the moeny I would buy some of these and give it a proper restoration ;)

Well I keep seeing those 70s modern shophouses in cities in Malaysia, but old shophouses are not common.This is the opposite in Singapore.

Well I keep seeing those 70s modern shophouses in cities in Malaysia, but old shophouses are not common.This is the opposite in Singapore.

It depends on which town you go to. JB and most Johorean towns ....for some reason.....had nearly lost all of its shophouses.

There are still abundance of it in Malacca and Penang. Moderate numbers could be found in KL and Taiping......most small towns have em as well ;)

And I hate those 70s shophouses! :rant:

i've read that Penang have the most prewar shophouses in Malaysia, followed by Johore and Malacca

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

i wonder if Cheong Sze Hoong is related?? Hmmm.......:D

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Cheong_Fatt_Tze_Mansion_1_.jpeg?8173
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Cheong_Fatt_Tze_Mansion_2_.jpeg?3023
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Cheong_Fatt_Tze_Mansion_3_.jpeg?4275
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Cheong_Fatt_Tze_Mansion_4_.jpeg?5805
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Cheong_Fatt_Tze_Mansion_5_.jpeg?3604
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Cheong_Fatt_Tze_Mansion_6_.jpeg?7992
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Cheong_Fatt_Tze_Mansion_7_.jpeg?8327

(pics by Solomon Siu)
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661926398746_CheongFattTzeMansionPenang1210204.JPG?3281
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661926398748_CheongFattTzeMansionPenang3210204.JPG?5023

A Unique Heritage Experience

Located in the historic inner city of George Town, the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, dazzling in its original indigo-blue, is the mysterious Orient's best preserved paradigm Chinese courtyard house. Painstakingly restored in recent years, the myth behind "China's last Mandarin & first Capitalist" is revealed in the architecture that incorporates 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases & 220 vernacular timber louvre windows. The winner of UNESCO's Asia-Pacific Heritage 2000 Award for Conservation, the building's eclectic character is a reflection of the times at the end of the 19th Century when the myths & magic of the Chinese Kingdom embraced the glory of the British Empire in a whirling pool of cross-cultural energies.

110 years of history resonates within its cool, secluded, tropical spaces. 16 uniquely themed bedrooms of generous proportions echo the interior styles of various periods of human endeavour in Penang. A talented team of local & foreign artists lovingly crafted plans as interpretations of an ambience that evokes images of the days of wives, concubines & handmaidens aplenty, coyly hiding behind gilded Chinese lattice screens & gossamer silk curtains. To stay is to discover the beauty of "Jian Nian", "Feng Shui" & other lost arts within. The legacy of the consul of the Ching Dynasty in Malaya & Singapore beckons to you.

The Owner-hosted Home Stay

The Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion owner-hosted home-stay offers short and long-term residential stays in 16 uniquely themed bedroom apartments. These vary in size from the Scholar's Suite to the Straits Suite and others of equally exotic disposition. All rooms are fully air-conditioned [or ceiling fans if you wish] and come with an en-suite bathroom and a personal valet. Common facilities include 2 archive rooms, a reading room, a TV room, an alfresco breakfast area in the courtyard, landscaped gardens, private car-parking and 24-hour security.

Architecture

The Mansion, dazzling in its original indigo-blue, incorporates 38 rooms, 5 granite-paved courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 windows. Master craftsmen were imported from China, in the 1880's and again in the restoration in the 1990s. The paradigm Chinese Courtyard House has been embellished with Chinese timber carvings and porcelain cut & paste decorative shard works as well as Gothic louvred windows, art nouveau stained glass panels, Stoke-on-Trent floor tiles and Scottish cast iron works. It is an edifice of impressive delicacy, awesome in its "feng shui" subtleties and is an extraordinary tribute to the construction and design skills of the past.

The inner city mansion was acquired in 1990 in an extremely dilapidated state. A Grade One restoration has been carried out and has culminated in the project being judged the winner in the UNESCO Heritage 2000 Awards. 'History was preserved by meticulously applying extensive research on the architecture, traditional artisan skills and materials to the restoration' - has had enormous impact and influence on the preservation movement in Penang - and serves as a model for the restoration projects throughout the city of Georgetown and indeed, the broader region.'

The Owners

In 1990, a small group of Heritage preservationists led by Laurence Loh, an architect, acquired the Mansion to ensure that it would be maintained & conserved for posterity. Insensitive development would have ruined an irreplaceable cultural asset.

Why Restore?

The mansion was then in an extremely dilapidated state. In respect for its unique qualities, it was necessary to restore the building as closely as possible back to its original fabric & form in order to preserve its cultural significance.

About the Restoration

A Grade One restoration was carried out. This culminated in the project being judged the winner in the UNESCO Heritage 2000 Awards cycle. The citation read, "History was preserved by meticulously applying extensive research on the architecture, traditional artisan skills & materials to the restoration?.. has had enormous impact & influence on the preservation movement in Penang ?. and serves as a model for restoration projects throughout the City of Georgetown & indeed, the broader region". The international guidelines for conservation with authenticity were followed & where necessary traditional materials were imported from China.

About the Man

Epitomizing the rags-to-riches story, Cheong Fatt Tze left China, a penniless 16-year-old in 1856 and grew to become a one-man multinational conglomerate.
Dubbed "China's last Mandarin and first capitalist", Cheong was honoured with the title of "Rockefeller of the East" by the New York Times. Consult General for China, Mandarin of the Highest Order, director of China's railway and first modern bank, flags were ordered to be flown at half-mast by the Dutch and the British in their colonies, to honour this man when he passed away in 1916. Although he had homes throughout the East, he chose Penang as his operational base and built a late 19th Century architectural legacy of the highest order. It was designed to reflect his stature as well as to embody his ability to successfully combine an eclectic approach to life.

Conservation Experience

The cycle of life has been restored to the Mansion, to reactivate the intrinsic meaning of the place. As a private, inward-looking home, the values of family life & filial piety were nurtured by Cheong Fatt Tze who led by word & deed. Except for the incorporation of modern sanitary & ventilation amenities in the bedrooms, the original building fabric has been lovingly restored in pursuit of authenticity.

High ceilings timber floorboards on joists, ventilated rooms with open cast iron fanlights, sheltered verandahways around courtyards open to the sky, hand-plastered walls, lime-wash in Indigo Blue & Chinese lacquered doors & windows are some elements that pay respect to the traditions of a distant past. The ambience is as it was.

A door will slam with the breeze. The thud of footsteps on floorboards will transmit a rhythm. The sounds of human voices will travel within the house, expressing the whole range of human emotions. Handcrafted windows will expand in the rainy season. Colours will fade under the hot tropical sun & painters, carpenters & artisans will labour continually to maintain the high quality of traditional craft, even whilst breakfast is served.

The human rhythms of the place will be the core of its existence. This is the essence of the life & times of Cheong Fatt Tze in his favourite home in Asia, the seat of his Nanyang Empire. This experience is yours to share. Expect it to be different, for sometimes it can be unyielding to modernity & contemporary values.

Blessed by the spirit of great architecture & a sense of community, the place invites us to take a step back into the past.

website: http://www.cheongfatttzemansion.com/

Khoo Kongsi

(pics by Choo Tse Chien)
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661920916468_030823_Khoo_Kongsi_Penang_021.jpg?9062
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Khoo_Kongsi_1_.jpeg?5300
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Khoo_Kongsi_2_.jpeg?7484
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619Khoo_Kongsi_3_.jpeg?867

szehoong, Pablo pls post yr pics:D

The Khoo Kongsi (Khoo clan house) is perhaps the largest of the many clan and congregation houses in Penang. It is, like many of the clan houses, sort of hidden in the center of a block surrounded by ordinary shophouses. The entrance is just off Lebuh Cannon, near the Malay Mosque.

The Khoo clan that built this Kongsi originated from Sin Kang village in the Hokkien province of China. They actually began migrating overseas in the 16th century. They came to Penang sometime in the late 18th century, and by 1835 their numbers were large enough that they formed a clan group and purchased the land and building for the first Kongsi.

By the end of the 19th century, the clan had grown to be the most powerful clan among the Chinese community of Penang. So, in 1894 the clan bought in master craftsman from Fujian province in China and began construction on the Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi. After eight years, the opulent new clan house was completed. But soon after the building was practically burned to the ground.

The clan was not to be deterred and decided the following year to rebuild the clan temple. Some thought that the fire was due to the building's overly grandioise design and finish, so the new building was supposedly 'toned down' from the original. If that's true, its hard to imagine what the first building must have looked like given the amount of gold leaf and cut-and-paste sculpture lavished on the second version.

In 1906, the new Leong San Tong Khoo Kongsi was completed. Although the building was damaged during a Japanese raid in World War II, what you see today is still more or less the same building that was completed nearly 100 years ago. Extensive restoration was carried out in 1958, and again between 1999 and 2001.

The temple building is in three parts: The two storey temple is fronted by a mid-level porch called the prayer pavilion. On the left side of the building is a single-storey kitchen originally built to serve meals to those gathered for special events. The ground floor of the temple building is now a museum. You enter to the right of the prayer pavilion and end up in the old kitchen, which has been converted into a sort of snack bar.

Entry to the prayer pavilion is guarded at the top of the stairs by statues of turbaned men appearing to be Sikhs. In a stand on the pavilion several 'spears' are displayed that were used to lead parades and control crowds.

Taking the central stairway up from the pavilion brings you to the open varandah which fronts the three halls of the temple. The central hall is the largest and the main place of worship. The two incense burners are dedicated to two great heroes of 4th century China, Ong Soon Yah and Tua Sai Yai. Other statues are meant to depict Kuan Im, the Goddess of Mercy, Poh Seng Tai Tay, the God of Medicine, and Mah Chor Pho, the Goddess of the Sea. The walls and ceiling of the main hall are richly decorated. Expect to finish a visit to Khoo Kongsi with a sore neck!

To the left of the main hall (as you face the building) is the main ancestral hall, Ee Kok Tong. The alter of this small hall contains many gold and black tablets of the Khoo ancestors appropriately arranged top-down in order of their ranking in the family. Along the sides of the hall are a number of large plaques displaying the names of various Khoo ancestors and the high rank they achieved or been awarded. You'll note that even graduating from university is considered a high honor for the clan.

The hall on the other side of the central hall is called the Hock Teik Soo and is dedicated to the deity Hock Teik, the God of Prosperity. The walls of this hall are also lined with plaques, but as the size of the clan has increased, along with a higher percentage graduating from college, the size of the plaques have been downsized considerably to make sure there is room for the honors of future generations. You will however note that one thing hasn't changed: Only male members of the clan are honored.

In the large courtyard, facing the temple, is an ornate stage for Chinese Opera. Performances are usually held around Chinese New Year and other important holidays. The stage is also available for special events.

article from here: http://asiaforvisitors.com/malaysia/peninsula/penang/khoo/

more St George Church pic
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661922476540_29St_GeorgesChurch2.jpg?5554

more Customs & Excise Dept Building pic
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661922476546_35buildingwclocktower.jpg?886

(all pics by John Glines)

The Mansion
now a restaurant
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661922476542_31Mansion1restaurant.jpg?3826

Cathedral of the Assumption

So named after the first group of Roman Catholics from Kedah who landed in Penang
in 1786 on the eve of the Feast of the Assumption. This building dates from 1861.
Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661922476541_30CathedralofAssumption.jpg?5042

(all pics by John Glines)

ABN-Ambro House

ABN-Ambro House (former Netherlands Trading Society) is now being occupied by Science University Malaysia (USM) Arts and Cultural Centre.

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661926452402_P2221375copy.jpg?8033

HSBC Bank

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661926449946_P2221361copy.JPG?9212



(all pics by Hau C. Lee)

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion looks like House Of Tan Yeok Nee!However our House's interior is now 'spoilt' beyond repair.The building of modern facilities, like a lecture theatre within the interior of the House had spoilt its original architecture.Also, classrooms, a business centre, new staircases, etc.

Khoo Kongsi is absolutely stunning and amazing!Never seen anything like it!

After the Battle - Penang War Museum

This Penang War Museum was erected on the original defence complex built by British early dated before ww2 due to importance to protect Penang Harbour from sea attack. British were learn hard from it because in ww1, a lonely German Raiders Emden raided Penang Harbour undetected and making her leisurely attack at British ship unopposed. At these attack, several ship damage and 2 ship sunk. One ship was Russian cruiser Zhemchug sunk to the bottom of Penang Harbour.

Two large 6 inch coastal gun batteries were built which can traversed into straits of Penang. These guns can be fired to incoming enemy ship before they can reaching Penang Harbour and to protect British Navy in the Penang Harbour.

An additional, one firing range observation tower, several Anti Aircraft gun pit with underground tunnels, one searchlight battery, logistic centers, halls, offices, ventilation shafts, sleeping quarters, cook houses as well as medical infirmary enough to accommodated one regiment. At least several pillboxes were built to protect from sea landings. These complex was constructed on 20 acres of land, it is an integrated fortress on Bukit Batu Maung or Bukit Punjab. The British Royal Engineers and a work force comprises of local laborers blasted and dug into the hill to create a fort.

During ww2, there was a limited resources on this complex but mainly the fort were not being used due to attack were mainly from north section of Penang Island where Georgetown was located. Under Brigadier C.A. Lyon, Penang was defend by
The Penang Signal Section
Royal Corps of Signals 8th Heavy Battery
HKSRA 36th Fortress Company
Royal Engineers 5/14th Punjab Regiment 3rd Battalion
The Straits Settlement Volunteer Force (Penang and Province Wellesley Volunteer Force) - 3 Battalion

It was known well that Penang was not being prepared to Japanese invaders. Most of the defense were consisted of light machineguns and several Bofors anti-aircraft and most of these guns were located to protect Butterworth airfield.

The British knew Penang Island as Fortress Penang, but in reality it only had 4 anti-aircraft guns and a motley garrison of some 500 untrained troops. This lack of adequate protection became evident when on December 11, 1941 the Japanese inflicted their first major air raid on the island. On December 12, they stepped up their operation and eighty-five Japanese dive-bombers flying from Singora and Patani airfields in Siam directed devastating air raids against Penang. The capital, Georgetown was the primary target, and by the end of the day the civilian casualties exceeded 2000. The island collapsed in chaos and all European women and children were evacuated. On December 14, Britain's Far East War Council realised that Penang could only be held for another three or four days and made the decision to abandon it. On December 15 the Japanese again bombed the island and seized many ships and boats in the harbour. The next day the British forces evacuated Penang.

At dawn on December 17, the Japanese came ashore from small boats and seized the island without losing a soldier. They were intrigued to discover the radio station in Penang was not destroyed by the British before they departed, and used it to broadcast propaganda to Malaya and Singapore

From under Japanese Occupation, it was used again to protect Japanese shipping from Allied attack mainly from British and American Subs.

After ww2, it was abandoned. Many of the fittings were stripped and scrap. Two large batteries guns were missing.

At least after 60 years, Penang Government decided to restored the complex and proposed as Penang War Museum.

When MHG visit the site, all visitors were charged RM5 per entries. Some of the building were kept clean but lack of fittings which still missing. Some information were mistakenly being used. Perhaps someday, we can see that these complex can turn to be as Fort Siloso in Singapore.

article from here---> http://www.geocities.com/malaya_hg/png_warmuseum.htm

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619War_Museum_6_.jpeg?2922
ticket centre and souvenir shop

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619War_Museum_8_.jpeg?2145
walk ways

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619War_Museum_9_.jpeg?1422
torture chamber

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619War_Museum_5_.jpeg?6896
guillotine

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619War_Museum_3_.jpeg?9621
it is said to be a real skull

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619War_Museum_1_.jpeg?7866
yamashita's last 13 steps

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619War_Museum_2_.jpeg?5673
this leads to

tunnels and ladders:
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619War_Museum_10_.jpeg?5236
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619War_Museum_11_.jpeg?6073
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619War_Museum_7_.jpeg?4395
who's back??

more pics to come....

Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion

i wonder if Cheong Sze Hoong is related?? Hmmm.......:D



I wish I was! :D

Then whenever I am in Penang, I would have a very nice place to stay! :D

Great posts TYW!
Khoo Kongsi indeed is very special.
I believe old shophouses are very common in West Malaysia. Each city/town I go they are just in sight but less common then other new shophouses since the towns needs more commercial/office space. They are also some towns which still maintain colonial wooden shophouses from the past. I've never been to Penang, but shophouses do come in mind when it got mentioned even small towns like Alor Gajah, Mantin, Nilai etc :D

Some views of Georgetown ;)
http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/84504363gMPyWD_ph.jpg
http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/50877140neCNBA_ph.jpg
http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/AX010549.jpg

nice pics baq!! i was looking for pics like that

i'll keep looking for more pics;)

Do shophouses get preserved over there?

Do shophouses get preserved over there?

some of them yes!! but many are not. i hope they do something though.

I have been to several towns and cities in Msia.Johor Bahru has not many old shophouses.

But KL has quite a lot.But sadly many of them were in a very sad state.:(

Btw, can someone post pictures of preserved shophouses?

Btw, can someone post pictures of preserved shophouses?


I would try to find some.......but I've been quite busy these days and most of the time I am not at home so.......wait lah :D

Thanks for those pics...Sadly, i took some pics only:(

Hartwicke House

from the star
http://202.186.86.35/photos/sendbinary.asp?path=thumbnails/12/hartwick.jpg&type=actual
Hartwicke House nestled in the arms of a modern 31-storey office block situated at Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Penang. The old mansion is protected as a heritage building, but not its surroundings.

by Piligrim
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/4604/1639Buildings_31108-26.jpg?8159

Hartwicke House

The old mansion is protected as a heritage building, but not its surroundings.





At least they did some preservation :D ....There are so many gems in KL lost foerever to development :rant:

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661926721486_NEWPillarsOfWanHaiHotelLoveLane.jpg?6655
I like this pic very very very much..it give me somekind of feeling whcih i can't describe in words:D

Looks like zouk at night :D
http://img51.photobucket.com/albums/v157/baqthier/pen1.jpg

Looks like zouk at night :D


he he he.....zouk much more organic looking lah:D

he he he.....zouk much more organic looking lah:D


I think he meant the colours! :D

I just noticed that the HSBC Building bears a striking resemblence to MacDonald House in Singapore! :D

great heritage, great thread, awful conservation - penang needs help!
does anybody know the outcome of the world heritage nomination for penang and melaka?

instead of knocking down all the old building in georgetown~ why dont they upgrade the buildin??? classical exterior and modern and functional interior~ i love all the old building in penang~ i never get borin of lookin at them~ when i waz in penang~ i spend more time lookin at those old buildin then those modern skyscraper(well...sometimes..)~ they are more elegant to look at~ even they wanna knock it down~ they also can build something that can fit in wit the other oldies~ instead of a modern building...

anyway~ St George church design is base on St Martin in the Field London, England~ by scottish architect James Gibbs~ it was one of the most influential design of the 18th century(English Baroque). u can notice that St George exterior has recessed columns marking the side entrance and a pedimented porticos and the steeple emerges through the roof, tapering from a square base to a cancave-slide spire(if im not wrong)~ just like the one in London~ hehe~
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/661924637637_StGeorgeChurchPittStreet.jpg?8104

and the little monument(or whatever) design is base on the Mausoluem, Castle Howard, Yorkshire, England~ design by Nicholas Hawksmoor~

84-year-old bar burns down
BY BERNARD SEE

PENANG: Armed forces personnel and tourists looking for a touch of nostalgia will now have to look for a new ?watering hole? after the 84-year-old Hong Kong Bar, said to be the state?s oldest bar, was gutted in an early morning fire.

Owner Tan Gim Seng, 58, said he was fast asleep when his sister, Jenny, 53, woke him up after being awakened by a series of ?explosions? caused by the popping of beer bottles at about 4am yesterday.

?I quickly ran downstairs clad only in a towel and saw a huge wall of flames ?licking? the walls and roof at the back of the pre-war building in Chulia Street. I could not do anything as I had just sent my fire extinguishers for servicing a few days back.

?The fire spread so quickly that I could not even run back to save my belongings. Everything from the commemorative ship plaques, which were given to me by passing sailors, to the hundreds of guest books written by my customers, are all gone,? he said.

Tan fondly known to his friends and customers as Peter, who took over the business when his mother, Neoh Sze Hoon, 76, died in 2000, estimated his losses at more than RM300,000.

?It breaks my heart to see the priceless souvenirs such as lifebuoys from the various vessels berthed at the Swettenham Pier and plaques destroyed. My late father and I had been

collecting these items for the past 51 years.

?From what I can recall, the bar was already in operation in 1920. My father, Hong Khee, who passed away 11 years ago, took over the business in 1953 upon escaping from China during the communist uprising,? he said.

Tan, who sustained minor abrasions on his elbow and leg, said he had yet to decide what to do as he was very traumatised at the moment, adding that it would take a lot of money to rebuild the bar.

In memory of HK bar....
http://tinypic.com/5b8g4
http://tinypic.com/5b8gl

http://tinypic.com/5b8jm

more---> http://penangtalk.com/hkbar/index.html

Old building behind Gama Shoping Mall
http://tinypic.com/5xna9

Lovely Old Penang! Esp like Cheong Fatt Tze mansion and Khoo Kong Si temple....gorgeous! Kudos to the conservationists at work in Georgetown...hope KL catches on! Old is Gold as they say......*grin*

so...hong kong bar...bo liao...what happened to neighbouring shops?

Wow, those shophouses are indeed neglected...

http://mayaweb.upr.clu.edu/~yqian/Personal/Photos/Album1/178GeorgetownPenangIslandMalaysia.jpg

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/being/on.the.road/trip02-my01-06.jpg

wow!! great find, Baq;)

http://tinypic.com/5xna9
This looks sooooo like Singapore!
KOMTAR looks like Swissotel!

http://www.ne.jp/asahi/being/on.the.road/trip02-my01-06.jpg
:eek:
Those row buildings needs restoring and conservation (if they aren't conserved). :)

Photos taken by a name which I think is not real :D

Southern Bank
http://jja.image.pbase.com/u37/hclee/upload/26449942.P2221351copy.JPG

Georgetown
http://jja.image.pbase.com/u37/hclee/upload/26449943.P2221353copy.JPG

Art Deco India House
http://jja.image.pbase.com/u37/hclee/upload/26449944.P2221355copy.JPG

Standard Chartered
http://mishopi.image.pbase.com/u37/hclee/upload/26449945.P2221358copy.JPG

HSBC
http://jja.image.pbase.com/u37/hclee/upload/26449946.P2221361copy.JPG

Pusat Kesenian
http://jja.image.pbase.com/u40/hclee/large/26452402.P2221375copy.jpg

http://mk23.image.pbase.com/u7/vonstahlein/large/1083617.LitlleShanghai2nonyacorner.jpg

Penang Museum
http://jja.image.pbase.com/u45/mr2c280/large/34662367.P1040314.jpg

Baq, can't see leh... :(

Edited them..so just click on the links above to see ;)

It says 'forbidden'... :(

Still can't c..Baq???

I think this is wow!
Rowhouses!
http://www.toddsuz3.homestead.com/files/penang1.JPG

Old shophouses.

http://www.bennenk.com/Maleisie/images/19960814-43%20Penang%20Georgetown%20China%20townLebuh%20Canon.jpg

Neat row...some repainting should be done!
http://www.e.kth.se/~e96_fst/resan/album15/penang11.jpg

My drawing of a Penang shophouse..i modified a bit lah.
http://files.photojerk.com/baqthier/bigger.JPG

:eek:
Wow, amazing! :okay:

http://www.toddsuz3.homestead.com/files/penang1.JPG
^What are those?! :eek:

Thanks reds! I think those were housing for the administrative staffs during the british rule :)

Thanks reds! I think those were housing for the administrative staffs during the british rule :)
those are the rowhouses in a lane opposite or near the burmese temple!

http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/dsc00562.jpg

http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/Aerialview.jpg

http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/imagesJPG/images10/thallpen.jpg

http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/imagesJPG/images16/newwestwall.jpg

http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/dsc00562.jpg
err....where is this??

Penang lah..the van's license plate says so marr

Penang lah..the van's license plate says so marr

yalah!! the thread title also says so mah...but where exactly??

I never been to penang..so ur assignment is to find out where it is

I never been to penang..so ur assignment is to find out where it is

u post one mah:D maybe got caption or something??

yalor..the caption said in Penang mar

http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/dsc00562.jpg

http://www.hbp.usm.my/conservation/Aerialview.jpg
Town Hall?
Can the public enter?

yalor..the caption said in Penang mar

cheh...like that only??

anyone else know?? the more i look at the the more familiar it becomes:D

Kapitan Kling..
http://img32.exs.cx/img32/9687/dscn72596pw.jpg


http://img32.exs.cx/img32/5957/dscn72615nz.jpg

Love the fusion of Mughal and Malay architecture of the mosque :)

Here's a pic of a nice cornershop

http://www.planetaub.com/seasia/Malaysia/Penang/images/Old%20buildings.jpg

Balai Bomba

http://www.asiagalleries.de/Malaysia/Pinang/37%20Georgetown.jpg

nice pics!!

Balai bomba cannot see......

Isn't there a purple Chinese traditional style mansion in Penang?
Any overview shots of it? I'll love to see the layout! :D

Isn't there a purple Chinese traditional style mansion in Penang?
Any overview shots of it? I'll love to see the layout! :D

you mean this one??

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=100344&page=7&pp=20

it is cheong sze hoong's mansion!!:D

Penang Free School (no fees ar?)

http://www.pnm.my/yangpertama/Photo/Penang_Free_School.jpg
http://www.pnm.my/yangpertama/Photo/Penang_Free_School1.jpg

Saturday April 2, 2005

Enduring architecture in Penang

Story & Pictures by ANDREW SIA

Tired of the same ol’ shiny five star hotels with super mod cons? Why not try a heritage hotel? Penang still has a few historical gems. They may not have all the facilities, but they are just oozing old-world charm.

The future of Penang’s tourism may lie in the island’s history. Much has been said about its unique heritage architecture and lifestyles – surely one of the best ways to appreciate it must be by living amidst it!

The island is rich in little antique hotels loaded with historical ambience – at budget prices. This is an entirely different kettle of fish from upmarket places such as Penang’s E&O Hotel or the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. Instead, we’re talking about enjoying old-world charm with basic facilities at a fraction of the price.

One such place is the Cathay Hotel in Leith Street. Built in 1902, it was formerly millionaire Yeoh Wee Gark’s mansion. However, for the past 45 years, it has functioned as a hotel.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/4/2/features/f_02cathay.jpg
The inner courtyard of Cathay Hotel on Leith Street, Penang.

“Because of its antique look, many tourists – Westerners, Japanese, Koreans – like this place,” recounted receptionist David Tan.

“They have included professors, psychologists, engineers and even an American acupuncturist.”

British tourist Amy Newson, a prosthetics technician, was attracted here by the listing in the backpackers’ “bible”, the Lonely Planet guidebook: “Atmospheric old wooden colonial villa, with large clean rooms.”

She said, “The pound has a very good rate now. Since we could afford it, we upgraded from the normal budget backpacker places.”

In fact, the old-fashioned setting of Cathay Hotel has even engaged the attentions of directors behind two movies namely: Beyond Rangoon and The Touch, starring Datuk Michelle Yeoh.

The top range of the 37 rooms here goes for RM80. That gets you a fairly colossal place with (some of) the works: two double beds, hot water, air-conditioning, 29in TV (but no Astro) and mini-fridge (but no mini bar). The fan rooms retail for RM57.50.

And what of the “Cathay Health Centre” behind the hotel?

“That has nothing to do with us,” explained Tan. “We are entirely separate.”

Besides, it’s something that can’t really be held against Cathay Hotel since some very posh hotels are also known to have such, ahem . . . “health” services.

An even cheaper, but no less charismatic, heritage hotel is the Oasis Hotel at Love Lane in the heart of Georgetown. I walked through the welcoming orange archway and entered a restful sanctuary: an unassuming old bungalow surrounded by huge shade-giving trees, a swing and down-to-earth vibes. The room rates are superbly reasonable. RM30 for an air-conditioned room, RM20 for a fan room – with bathroom attached!

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/4/2/features/f_02oasis.jpg
The Oasis Hotel on Love Lane, Penang.

“Lots of backpackers, Western and Asian, like to stay here. These fellas are very price conscious, RM1 more also they don’t want to stay. That’s why we also have a big swimming pool . . .” smiled owner Ung Kean Yeang, “for fish.”

According to him, the building is 102 years old and it has changed hands many times (he took over in 2003). From a stately residence, it has been used as a hotel in the last few decades.

A Singaporean couple, Francis Boey and Violet Kwok, come here to stay every other month when they visit Penang.

“When you stay in a five-star hotel, you are just inside your room and feel isolated. You don’t get to interact with others,” noted Boey, 45, a quality assurance supervisor in between doing his own laundry.

Kwok, 45, an administrative clerk, added: “We’ve met many nice people from all over the world here. Many were recommended to come here by their friends. We sometimes cook and ask them to join us for meals. The owner is a real joker. That makes the guests feel at home.”

Oasis Hotel has the feel of a family home. All manner of budget travel services are offered, including transport bookings to Medan, Cameron Highlands, Langkawi, Ko Samui, Phuket and Krabi.

“The van comes right to our doorstep to pick people up. Many travellers come to Penang and stay for three or four days to do their visa before re-entering Thailand. For RM20, we have runners to go to the Thai consulate here,” explained Ung.

While Cathay and Oasis are still going strong, many other traditional hotels have been unable to compete with the shiny modern ones and have simply closed down. These include Tai Loke Hotel on Campbell Street, Nam Keow Hotel on Transfer Road as well as Modern Hotel and Lum Fong Hotel just off Penang Road.

During the five day photo-journalism course by The Star in Penang last week, our trainer, the renowned photographer Eric Peris, told us about the lovely London Hotel.

“Even millionaires like to stay there. It has its own old-world character, totally unlike modern hotels today. There’s even a garden with sculptures.”

In other words, it was an E&O on the cheap. However, when we found it along Argyll Road, it had since been transmuted into a café cum bar.

Other old hotels have descended down the path of more dubious, shall we say, business models. Places such as Nam Keow, along Chulia Street or the grandly named Odeon, on Jalan Sekerat, feature a row of women sitting on plastic chairs in the corridor.

The latter’s 72-year-old “manager”, who only wished to be known as Mr Lim, was surprisingly forthright.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/4/2/features/f_02odeon.jpg
The Odeon Hotel on Jalan Sekerat, Penang — a grand name reflecting past glories.

“We charge RM40 for a big room and RM25 for the small ones. But the real money comes elsewhere. Each customer pays RM30 for a ‘massage’. I take RM10 as the room rental for maybe 45 minutes. My expenses come up to RM5,000 plus a month. So I need at least 30 ‘massage’ customers a day to break even.”

At night, as I walked along Penang Road looking for my teh tarik, I was assailed by trishaw men (and transvestites) calling out: “Hello! Konichiwa! You want pretty young lady?”

One place they offered to bring me to included the New Savoy Hotel and Health Centre. In the bright glare of noon, this once grand family mansion featured a sleepy caretaker who was certainly not interested in any bona fide hotel business.

“Ini koman punya hotel, ta’dak cantik, apa mau gambar? (This is a lousy hotel, not pretty, why do you want to take pictures?),” he told my colleague Zainuddin.

“Sini customer biasa punya sahaja . . . (we only have normal customers . . .),” added the caretaker with loaded meaning.

Even the official room rates are an inauspicious RM44 each.

Heritage tourism has long been talked about in Penang. With fierce competition from Thailand’s beach resorts, it has been said that Penang needs to reinvent itself.

“As it can no longer thrive on sea and sand (tourism), Penang should re-package, re-structure and re-strategise its concept by promoting its old-world charm,” said Association of Tourism Attractions Penang pro-tem chairman Eddy Low last November.

Can old hotels or buildings be done up and turned into lovely boutique hotels? For instance, a block of old government quarters off Burma Road was turned into the mid-priced Hotel 1926. Built in that year to house British immigration officers, it was restored in 1999 with much of its colonial ambience – wooden floors, long corridors and balmy balconies – intact. The main changes have been to the fittings, furniture and the starchy British officers.

Will many more such heritage boutique hotels be created? In the meantime, you may want to live amidst some old-world personalities for a song – while they still last. W

Public Bank

http://www.sandham.com/images/Malaysia/Penang_85.jpg

Penang Cenotaph

http://www.al3xandra.net/albums/penang_oct02/penang35_up.jpg

http://www.sandham.com/images/Malaysia/Penang_72.jpg

http://www.sandham.com/images/Malaysia/Agfachrome/Image31.jpg

http://www.sandham.com/images/Malaysia/Penang_48.jpg

http://www.sandham.com/images/Malaysia/Penang_43.jpg

Penang Cenotaph

http://www.al3xandra.net/albums/penang_oct02/penang35_up.jpg

some people stole that metal thing at the centre of it >( :down: :bleep: :mad2:

waaah..when?? Last time flag also kana stole from mall in Penang!

^^^jus a few days ago..

waaah..when?? Last time flag also kana stole from mall in Penang!

plants lah, flowers lah, manhole covers lah...always stolen one.... :bash:

:bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep::bleep:

Tuesday March 29, 2005

Plant thief who drove a BMW

WHAT has become of Penangites?

Isn't it embarrassing enough that our island has lost its pride as “The Pearl of the Orient”?

Your report, “Plants locked and chained”, (The Star, March 26) tells us of how public ornamental plants are being stolen by our citizens.

A man driving a BMW car was caught red-handed putting a plant in the car boot!

Unfortunately, the municipal council officer who caught the thief let him off with only a warning.

Such acts should be punished with a heavy fine.



PHOEBE,

Penang.

(via e-mail)

Saturday March 26, 2005

Plants locked and chained

BY NIK KHUSAIRI IBRAHIM

PENANG: The Penang Municipal Council has had to lock and chain its ornamental plants placed in public places to prevent theft.

A sago palm tree, cycas revoluta, is chained to the ground in Jalan Farquhar. Next to it are two empty holes where two similar trees had been.

An exasperated council president Datuk Ahmad Phesal Talib said the thieves were rich people, some of whom drive luxury cars.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2005/3/26/nation/p3lee.jpg
Yeoh Guat Eng, 63, and her granddaughter Lee Hing Wen, seven, taking a look at an ornamental plant that is chained up at Light Street in Penang on Thursday.

He cited a case on Thursday night when enforcement officers caught a man red-handed stealing an ornamental plant and putting it into the boot of his BMW.

“The man quickly handed back the plant when our officers ordered him to do so,” he said, adding that the man was let off with a warning.

He said offenders were liable could be charged under the Minor Offences Act.

“We report such cases to the police because they are criminal offences,” he told newsmen after the council’s ordinary meeting yesterday.

The ornamental plants – palm trees and bougainvillaeas – cost between RM300 and RM400 each.

Ahmad Phesal lamented that the council was having a hard time catching “green and dirt” thieves who carted away ornamental plants and nutrient-rich topsoil.

He said they were stolen despite enforcement officers stepping up their patrols.

“It is so frustrating. We plant beautiful plants for landscaping one day and the very next day they are gone.”

Directing the enforcement department to increase surveillance, Ahmad Phesal said plant thefts posed a major setback to the council's beautification plan.

He was also baffled that thieves were going after topsoil.

“The problem is becoming serious,” he added.

He appealed to the public to be on the lookout to help check such thefts.

“We need public cooperation to help us beautify the island,” he added

What is that infront of E and O? Art deco ler

http://www.petertan.com/albums/day1/penang_innercity_day1_04.jpg

Sia Buey

http://www.petertan.com/albums/day2/penang_innercity_day2_01.jpg

What is that infront of E and O? Art deco ler

http://www.petertan.com/albums/day1/penang_innercity_day1_04.jpg

that is The Garage. it used to be a Garage but now it is a shop. got one Gloria Jeans there:D

Sia Buey

http://www.petertan.com/albums/day2/penang_innercity_day2_01.jpg

this is not Sia Buey lah. i don't know the name of that street but it is somewhere in Chinatown lah:D

Shophouse

http://home.concepts.nl/~adsl0159/Images/Mal/M325.jpg

http://ieee.uwaterloo.ca/a2mishra/malaysia/mediafiles/l17.jpg

Penang Cenotaph

http://www.al3xandra.net/albums/penang_oct02/penang35_up.jpg

Stolen thingy? :?

Got photo with the thingy in place? :)

^ that "sword" in the pic!

Oh, that sword thingy is gone? :eek:

Is the sword original?

yep! And stolen few days ago!

Huh?!
The original sword gone? :eek: :(

The other side got original one?

Huh?!
The original sword gone? :eek: :(

The other side got original one?

that pic is taken before it was stolen lah!!!

Aiyoh.......what happened to these people lah.......I mean a person driving a BMW stealing a plant?!?!?!?!?! :eek:

But I am really sad at the missing sword.......That is like a historical relic. :ohno:

I still remember soemone sawn off the Spirit of Estacy off Tunku's Rolls-Royce at the National Museum grounds.

Even Dr. Mahathir's Perdana at the Sri Perdana Gallery isn't spared - its crecent and moon hood ornament are broken off too....sigh......when would they learn :ohno:

that pic is taken before it was stolen lah!!!


I think he's asking if there is a similar one on the other side lah! :bash: :D

I think he's asking if there is a similar one on the other side lah! :bash: :D

Yah, got or not...?

Yah, got or not...?


I dunno......ask those Penang kia! :D

Haha.... I thouth all cenotaphs are symmetrical on all sides? :D

^^^ Apparently not all cenotaphs are like that :D

Some have 2 similar sides while others have 3 similar sides ones and an odd one out ;)

err....i don't know about the other side lah he he......:bash:

err....i don't know about the other side lah he he......:bash:


You always see one side only ar? You confirm stolen or not? Maybe they took it out for cleaning leh? Izzit in the news :?

Go there and find out since you now so darn free :D

You always see one side only ar? You confirm stolen or not? Maybe they took it out for cleaning leh? Izzit in the news :?

Go there and find out since you now so darn free :D

i saw it in Kwong Wah Yit Poh ;) nothing in The Star though..

http://img146.exs.cx/img146/9651/burmahroad12nu.jpg
this place used to be a food court....dunno why close :(

WOW! I love this mansion! It has the ancient malay istana roof style, too.

Awesome pic! :eek2:

so brightly coloured..it could be used for many things

Forum on reviving George Town's pre-war buildings

Tan Cheng Yean

GEORGE TOWN, Tues:
A FORUM entitled `George Town's pre-war buildings: Time for rebirth' will be held at the Eastern & Oriental Hotel on May 14.

It is organised by Henry Butcher Malaysia (Penang) Sdn Bhd, sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank and endorsed by the State Government.

Henry Butcher senior vice-president Teoh Poh Huat said the forum was to create and increase awareness of the investment and financing opportunities related to pre-war buildings.

State Housing, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Syed Amerrudin Syed Ahmad is expected to open the forum.

Tuesday, April 26, 2005

Homestead to house university
By SIOW YUEN CHING

HOMESTEAD is possibly one of the most imposing private residences along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Penang’s famous “Millionaires Row”.

The heritage mansion, with its stately white pillars and extensive lawn, has been home to the Yeaps, a prominent banking family in Penang, for almost 60 years.

The late Yeap Chor Ee, who founded the Penang-based Ban Hin Lee Bank, bought over the colonial-style property from early shipping magnate Lim Mah Chye in the 1940s.

Today, the home is the resi- dence of Chor Ee’s grandson, Datuk Stephen Yeap Leong Huat, and his family.

Homestead, however, will soon follow in the footsteps of many other old mansions and bungalows in Penang which have seen adaptive usage over the years.

http://penang.thestar.com.my/content/focus/2005/4/26/yap.jpg
Homestead which will house Wawasan Open University College.

With plans to convert the building into Wawasan Open University College, Chor Ee’s descendants are now preparing to move out of their home.

Stephen, 59, said the trustees of the Yeap Chor Ee Endowment Trust had, three years ago, vested trust properties, including Homestead and several pieces of property in China Street Ghaut to Wawasan Education Foundation (WEF), formerly known as Gerakan Education Foundation.

“As much as I will miss the house, where I was born and raised, I have to be rational and understand that I am only the custodian of the pro-perty and it is not mine to keep forever,” he said in an interview.

“It was my grandfather’s wish that the house be used as an educational institution. I will be very satisfied to see my grandfather’s wish come true in my lifetime.”

The 30,000 sq ft Homestead, which sits on a prime 1.44 ha site, would house the campus chancellery, administration office and lecture theatres, he added.

A 2.4m high bronze statue of Chor Ee would be placed at the front entrance of the house in memory of the Chinese philantrophist whose rags-to-riches story had been an inspiration to many locals.

Stephen said they had started removing the furniture and anti-ques from Homestead in stages. These would be placed in a Yeap Chor Ee memorial museum stretching from Penang Street to King Street, which was the first home of the Chinese towkay.

The museum will showcase, among others, photographs of the interior decoration of the historical Homestead.

Homestead’s first owner Lim had engaged James Stark of famed Scottish civil engineering firm Stark and McNeil to build Homestead in 1919. The mansion was modelled after a 1734 English country house named Holkham Hall in Norfolk.

According to the Pulau Pinang Magazine (Vol 3), Homestead had two sets of furniture in separate halls, typical of the abode of early Chinese millionaires.

One hall was furnished with Victorian furniture and finery, complete with Italian mirrors, chandeliers and marble statues. The other had Oriental decor, with sturdy Ching black wood furniture and Chinese scrolls hanging on the walls.

Each hall was used to entertain guests from the two different worlds, European and Chinese.

Thursday, April 21, 2005

State plans to revitalise Malay enclave

By NIK KHUSAIRI IBRAHIM

THE Malay enclave encompassing Lebuh Acheh in inner George Town, Penang, is one of the key areas to be promoted for heritage tourism.

Lebuh Acheh is the last frontier of the Malay-Muslim enclave in the proposed Unesco World Heritage site in inner George Town.

Penang Housing, Cultural Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Syed Amerrudin Syed Ahmad said redevelopment was necessary to revitalise the Malay enclave.

He said the state was now fine tuning certain elements in the development plan.

http://penang.thestar.com.my/content/focus/2005/4/21/04861910.jpg
A worshiper performing his ablution in the mosque compound.

“We are making some adjustments to the development plan. We are looking into the possibility of restoring some heritage buildings,’’ he said.

Syed Ameruddin said the state was also looking into building flats and apartments.

“If we want to attract tourists, we must make the place attractive,” he said.

Apart from the early 19th century Malay Mosque and a few houses where descendents of revered former community Malay leaders and scholars lived, there are no other historical elements that can attract visitors to the area.

Proponents of redevelopment are calling for more units to be built on the wakaf land to house as many Muslims as possible.

Currently the number of Muslims staying in the vicinity is only a few.

At times, only several people are seen praying at the mosque.

Umno leaders have denied claims that the party’s underlying motive to push for development in the area was political in nature.

Former Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Seri Dr Hilmi Yahaya, now the Finance Ministry parliamentary secretary, had said there was an urgent need to expand the Muslim population in the area to fill up the mosque.

“What is the point of having a beautiful mosque when there are not enough Muslims in the area to pray there?” he said.

Syed Ameruddin said George Town would be vibrant with efforts to preserve the heritage sites.

“We must restore the Malay precinct to its former glory,” he said.

Lebuh Acheh, which is better known as Acheen Street, was a regional hub for the spice trade and a religious learning centre in the 19th century.

It was also known as Serambi Mekah (Mecca Corridor) as Haj pilgrims from the northern region would congregate in the area before sailing to the holy land.

It was also the regional centre of the Malay Press from 1900 to 1970.

The Sultan of Acheh Tengku Syed Hussain initiated the building of the Malay Mosque in Acheen Street in 1808.

The Sultan, a merchant prince and patron of the spice trade, is buried in the Royal Mausoleum in the mosque compound.

Renowned personalities who had resided in the area include Naqshabandiah Tarekat (name of religious group) leader Sheikh Omar Basheer, former Penang Kadi Sheikh Yahaya Basheer and scholars Shahaya Basheer and Ahmad Rashid Talu.

Two years ago, Badan Warisan Malaysia called for the revival of the enclave into a religious, literary, educational and travel centre.

Chairman Tan Sri Ahmad Sarji Abdul Hamid said the enclave had the potential to become the foremost Islamic Heritage Site in South-East Asia.

The organisation believes that the heritage and cultural aspects of the enclave are its strongest asset and selling point. Local Umno leaders are not against heritage conservation.

Tanjung Umno public complaints bureau chairman Md Haniffa Hamid said it was important to look into the need of the future generation.

“Plans to build more houses in the Masjid Melayu vicinity have yet to be implemented and Tanjung Umno is pushing for development,” he said.

I just hope they would properly readapt or refurbished Homestead. Tearing down the entire interior does do good to the preservation of the place ;)

And I really hope they preserved the stately trees lining the driveway as well to keep the land in front of the property empty to enhanced the look of the property. (these elements have successfully did so thus far)

I think the Homestead would be the Penang branch of the Wawasan Open University College that would probably have Menara PGRM II being its HQ ;)

Friday, May 20, 2005

Efforts to revitalise city get low marks
By CHOONG KWEE KIM

LANDLORDS, potential investors and restorers gave an average of 1.97 points out of five in the satisfaction score on the Penang Government's performance in revitalising George Town.

They were participants of the Henry Butcher Pre-war Property Forum.

Their main complaints included lack of parking space and public transportation, dilapidated buildings, poor planning, dirty environment and excessive or haphazard development.

Colin Tan, research manager of Henry Butcher Malaysia (Penang) Sdn Bhd, said those at the forum who were interested in investing in prewar property rated listing as a world heritage site by Unesco as the most important factor to the revitalisation of George Town.

“The lowest score was given to the way George Town is being revitalised,’’ he told a press conference on Wednesday.

http://penang.thestar.com.my/content/focus/2005/5/20/pre.jpg
Tan:The government must also disseminate information effectively.

The forum on Saturday attracted 183 people. Seventy respondents took part in the survey.

The survey also found that government incentives, both financial and non-financial, had the highest correlation with the satisfaction level, followed by dissemination of information on laws and policies and clear guidelines on repair and maintenance.

Tan said apart from making clearer the laws and regulations on the protection of heritage buildings as well as guidelines on repair and maintenance, the government must also disseminate the information effec- tively.

Of some 12,500 prewar houses in the state, about 8,000 are located in George Town comprising less than 5% of the total property stock in the island.

Pen Heritage Consultancy Sdn Bhd executive director Lim Hooi Siang who had worked on a George Town draft management plan as part of the dossier submitted for the Unesco bid, said the management plan had to be implemented to guide the revitalisation effort.

Friday, May 20, 2005

Repair shop lots, council urged
By MANJIT KAUR

THE Penang Municipal Council should practise leadership by example in maintaining their own dilapidated pre-war buildings before urging others to do so, according to several shop owners at Kimberly Street.

A row of five pre-war shop lots at the street belongs to the council.

Three of the lots were sealed more than six months ago due to their dilapidated condition, while the other two are rented out.

One of the remaining tenants is Chinese medicine trader Oh Cheng Siang, 70.

He said the council feared the shop lots would collapse and requested the tenants of three lots to move out.

He said once the tenants moved out, the council sealed the shop lots by fencing in the five-foot-way in front of the lots.

“This caused my business to drop by about 20% as people bypass my shop when they can no longer walk on the five-foot- way,” he said.

“Many traders here were issued with summons by the council for placing items on the five-foot-way but now the council itself has blocked the way.

“I agree that the lots are not safe but it is the duty of the council to take necessary steps to ensure that our businesses are not disrupted,'' he said recently.

Tenant Koay Hun Toh, 49, who sells electrical goods, said drug addicts have managed to enter the sealed shops to steal materials which they sell to second-hand goods dealers.

Komtar assemblyman Lim Gim Soon said the council should repair the shop lots.

“How is the public going to heed the advice of the council to maintain pre-war structures, if the council itself has a lackadaisical attitude?'' he said, adding that officers from the council had told him they were waiting for approval from one of their departments before repair work could be carried out.

Heritage Trust wants to keep city charm
Sarban Singh

GEORGE TOWN, Fri:
Please leave George Town as it is.

This is the plea of the Penang Heritage Trust, which said recent proposals to develop areas in the inner city would take away the charm of traditional trades that have been practised for over 200 years.

PHT secretary Ahmad Chik said: "Many have lamented that the gradual dislocation of communities in the inner city, following the repeal of the Rent Control Act.

"A viable historic city has to identify what its core buildings are, these not only have to be retained but their uses have to be relevant to the local communities," he said in response to a proposal to move wet market traders from the Chowrasta market at Penang Road to a new site in Jalan Gurdwara-Jalan SP Chelliah.

The old market is to be turned into a bazaar styled after Alor Star's Pekan Rabu.

"We definitely do not need another bazaar, we already have an old and established bazaar right next to the market."



Ahmad said the PHT was also against a proposal to turn the Campbell Street market into a Central Market ala Kuala Lumpur.

"The original Central Market in KL had already served its purpose. The Campbell Street Market is still being used everyday."

He said when the Komtar area was re-developed, four schools, four cinemas, one amusement park and 300 shophouses had to make way for shopping malls and offices.

"For life to continue to be viable for inner city communities, there has to be neighbourhood facilities and services close at hand."

“This caused my business to drop by about 20% as people bypass my shop when they can no longer walk on the five-foot- way,” he said.

the 5-foot-way is an integral part of many shophouse designs..they should leave it as is..it serves many functions!

my favourite KFC

http://img292.imageshack.us/img292/7332/kfc19eq.jpg

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/179/kfc23oz.jpg

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/4446/kfc37ab.jpg

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/1738/kfc42km.jpg

http://img337.imageshack.us/img337/2144/kfc54wb.jpg

RM2.5mil facelift for Birch House

By SIOW YUEN CHING

THE 97-year-old Birch House at Jalan Datuk Keramat in Penang is being given a new lease of life with a RM2.5mil conservation project.

Restoration work on the former tin smelting office, which has been converted into the headquarters of the Ivory Properties Group, began in August last year and is about 90% completed.

“We are still waiting for the Penang Municipal Council's approval to restore the facade of the building,” the group's general manager Chok Keng Vui said.

He said restoration of the facade and landscaping work would take about three months to complete after approval was granted.

Ivory Properties, which is developing the surrounding site for the prestigious Penang Times Square project, moved into the two-storey building in March this year.


The twin staircase inside the Birch House in immaculate condition.
Chok said the original building structure was in “pretty good shape” although one of the corners was tilting slightly.

He said the electrical wires inside the building were replaced and concealed.

“We also removed the old air-conditioning system and replaced it with a modern centralised one,” he said in a recent interview.

Chok said the solid wood used for the door and window frames and staircases, as well as the wooden flooring of the upper level were maintained.

The ceiling height for the ground floor, however, has been reduced from the original 4.6m to 3.7m.

“We placed another ceiling to conceal the wiring and piping for the air-conditioning system. But we recreated the original cornice design at the sides of the new ceiling,” Chok explained.

He added that there was a long-term plan to relocate their office to another premises and turn the historical building into a tourist destination.

“In the mean time, we are dedicating a corner on the ground floor to showcase the history of Birch House and the tin-mining industry for the benefit of those who visit our office,” he said.

On the Penang Times Square project, Chok said construction work on Phase One was scheduled to start in November and completed in about three years.

Phase One comprises a 0.8ha open space and the 18-storey Birch The Plaza service suites and commercial units.

Penang Times Square will sit on the 5.3ha site of what was once the country’s second-largest tin smelting plant in Jalan Datuk Keramat – Escoy Smelting – which produced the world-famous Straits Refined Tin from 1898 until its closure in 1998.

Mansion named after firm’s first chairman

THE Birch House was built in 1908 to be the family mansion of Lee Chin Ho, founder of the Eastern Smelting Com-pany.

Lee named his house after Sir Ernest Birch, the first chairman of the company.

Lee and his family stayed in the double-storey Straits Chinese mansion while his relatives and workers lived in the surrounding rows of houses.

With elaborate gilded Chinese doors, windows and an impressive main hall, the family mansion eventually became the company's administrative office.

Its original facade was, however, demolished in 1965 and replaced with a modern facade.


Chok showing the nearly completed refurbished Birch House.
By the early 1920s, Eastern Smelting occupied most of the present 2.8ha site.

The Patino family from Bolivia merged several of the world’s tin smelters, including Eastern Smelting, into Consolidated Tin Smelters in 1929.

A Japanese company, Toyo Kozau Kabushiki Kaisha, ran the Eastern Smelting plant during the World War II Japanese Occupation.

The smelting plant resumed operations under the British after the war. The last British managing director was R. J. Tolley, who retired in 1988.

Eastern Smelting underwent two name changes, to Datuk Keramat Smelting in 1976 and Escoy Smelting in 1993, and numerous boardroom and management changes.

After 100 years of rolling out high grade 99.85% refined tin ingots, the second largest tin smelting plant in Malaysia wound up its operations in 1998. The property was then sold to Ivory Properties Group.

I wish the old buildings in Singapore get as much consideration as Penanag's.... :cry:

I wish the old buildings in Singapore get as much consideration as Penanag's.... :cry:


I think Singapore's old buildings are better looked after and preserved than those in Penang. Penang might have the numbers but most are still lacking in conservation. As for KL......I rest my case lah :(

Picture taken by Sze.
http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/6508/img30463hy.jpg

I think Singapore's old buildings are better looked after and preserved than those in Penang. Penang might have the numbers but most are still lacking in conservation. As for KL......I rest my case lah :(

We've had had entire blocks of shophouses torn down....

The authorities had somehow overlooked a palatial mansion on a hill in the middle of the city (Eu Villa on Mount Sophia near Orchard Road)

Not to mention Cathay Building....

AND Changi Prison!!! :soapbox::cry::(

http://penangtalk.com/penangtalk/posts/21867.html
http://penangtalk.com/penangtalk/posts/21866.html

Restored! :eek:

http://penangtalk.com/penangtalk/posts/21467.html

will be restored soon!

Just restored

http://penangtalk.com/penangtalk/posts/21461.html
http://penangtalk.com/penangtalk/posts/21464.html

Will be restored

http://penangtalk.com/penangtalk/posts/21390.html

dunno bout this

http://penangtalk.com/penangtalk/posts/21367.html

http://penangtalk.com/penangtalk/posts/21082.html

nice find Baq!! :eek:

greeat Baq! Penang town hall looks :eek: i lov it! thx dude!

Customs and Exice Building

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/9030/customsexcisedepartmentbuildin.jpg

http://img165.imageshack.us/img165/8983/customsexcisedepartmentbuildin1.jpg
^^broken clock :bleep:

What a wonderful thread this is! I looked at the photos, the links, and the newspaper articles you've posted. :)

It is good to see that there is such an interested, lively preservation community in Penang! :okay:

Monday January 9, 2006



Open-U degrees just as good

PENANG: Many people who do not understand the concept of open universities have the misconception that they are offering second-class degrees, Gerakan president Datuk Seri Dr Lim Keng Yaik said.

He said these people were sceptical how students could study without entering university.

“Traditionally, students are sent to universities, locked up for four years, pounded with knowledge and released with a degree,” he said at the groundbreaking ceremony of the Gerakan-sponsored Wawasan Open University College here yesterday.

“But with open universities, we bring education to their doorstep, their home or office. With distance learning, they study at their own pace,” he said.

The college's main campus is located on a 4ha land at Homestead, a heritage building designed in 1919 and donated by the Yeap Chor Ee Charitable Trust and the Yeap Chor Ee Endowment Trust.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2006/1/9/nation/n_18homestead.jpg
NEW INSTITUTION: The Homestead together with a new 12-storey building behind it will serve as Wawasan Open University College's headquarters and learning hub.

Homestead is one of the most imposing private residences along Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, Penang's famous “Millionaires Row”.

The heritage mansion, with its stately white pillars and extensive lawn, had been home to the Yeaps, a prominent banking family in Penang, for almost 60 years.

The late Yeap Chor Ee, who founded the Penang-based Ban Hin Lee Bank, bought over the colonial-style property from early shipping magnate Lim Mah Chye in the 1940s.

Dr Lim, who is Energy, Water and Communications Minister, said he would appeal to the Higher Education Ministry to drop the word “college” from the institution’s name.

He said the Open University of United Kingdom was ranked the fifth best university in Britain.

“Give us five years to put Wawasan in front of Universiti Malaya (UM) which presumably is the country’s best university. That will be our benchmark,” he said.

The Wawasan Education Foundation would invest RM200mil in the university college over the next 10 years.

The institution will open in September offering 11 degree programmes. For details, call 04-227 3323.

WAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

SO GRAND!!!

:eek2:

^^ yep.. grand it is.. but hope 'THAT' somethin behind it wont spoils its view and yes GRAND.. :cool:

WAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!

SO GRAND!!!

:eek2:

yeah! one of my favourite mansions in Penang ;)

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/4121/courtbuilding22dv.jpg
^^ Court Building currently under renovation

http://img75.imageshack.us/img75/8418/courtbuilding16ub.jpg
^^ another

^^ nice.. will the court house be use after its renovations? or..??

^^ nice.. will the court house be use after its renovations? or..??

yeah, they will move back there after the renovations;)

Restoration work on building


GEORGE TOWN:
It was once an imposing structure smack in the middle of town.


However, over time, the Penang Court Building in Lebuh Light, with its Graeco-Roman architecture, reminiscent of classic Grecian temples, had lost its lustre.

Many less than successful attempts had been made over the years to restore the building, now well over a century old, to what it was in the early 20th century.

Last year, the Federal Government appointed contractor Datuk Najmudeen Kader to undertake the restoration, which is expected to be completed by April next year.

Checks by the New Straits Times found that about 37 per cent or one-third of the overall work had been completed, including replacing the asbestos roof with tiles, as originally used on the building in 1905.

Najmudeen said workers had begun replacing pillars and repainting the building, and was confident the work would be done in a year.

He expressed confidence that the restoration and other work on the building would be finished within a year.

Penang is not that bad, just a lil bit dirty, food, high-rise, beaches, resorts, tourism are all A-O-K!

Restoration work on building


GEORGE TOWN:
It was once an imposing structure smack in the middle of town.


However, over time, the Penang Court Building in Lebuh Light, with its Graeco-Roman architecture, reminiscent of classic Grecian temples, had lost its lustre.

Many less than successful attempts had been made over the years to restore the building, now well over a century old, to what it was in the early 20th century.

Last year, the Federal Government appointed contractor Datuk Najmudeen Kader to undertake the restoration, which is expected to be completed by April next year.

Checks by the New Straits Times found that about 37 per cent or one-third of the overall work had been completed, including replacing the asbestos roof with tiles, as originally used on the building in 1905.

Najmudeen said workers had begun replacing pillars and repainting the building, and was confident the work would be done in a year.

He expressed confidence that the restoration and other work on the building would be finished within a year.

good to hear that.. hope they'll fit some nice lighting in and out of the building.. heh.. it does hav some Greek in it.. but the pediment is abit too high heh..

THE MANSION

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/2413/themansion134kg.jpg
^^ ...

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/7227/themansion120ug.jpg
^^ old and new

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/5079/themansion112fi.jpg
^^ main entrance

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/1936/themansion101oq.jpg
^^ path beside the mansion

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/1701/themansion97cq.jpg
^^ the path leads you here

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/6875/themansion83re.jpg
^^ and here

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/2413/themansion79ij.jpg
^^ have a peek inside...

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/8784/themansion149pd.jpg
^^ peek again :D

panorama of the sourrounding (little bit (actually a lot) "cacat") <----as "cacat" as this sentence is :D
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/2717/themansion153fw.jpg

LIM LEAN TENG MANSIONS

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/7384/limleantengmansions30rm.jpg

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1262/limleantengmansions26ly.jpg
^^ the cars later knocked each other....:jk:

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/2521/limleantengmansions14te.jpg
^^ and if they do knock each other, they can buy a Smart car :D

http://img212.imageshack.us/img212/7227/themansion120ug.jpg
^^ old and new
wat a grand old building so well restored :) isnt it a restaurant now. Penang island has so many grand old buildings from its rich heritage please preserve it all it gives Penang its unique historical city status. abit sad to see some of the mansions incorporated into condos appearing out of place, if only it could b better blended together
tyw keep those photos coming :okay:

wat a grand old building so well restored :) isnt it a restaurant now.

yes, this mansion is now a restaurant;)

tyw keep those photos coming :okay:

here are some pics that i've posted before

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/9789/themansion38pr.jpg

http://img153.imageshack.us/img153/4622/themansion12hp.jpg

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/4965/themansion29rk.jpg

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/3074/themansion49le.jpg

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/1083/themansion50bs.jpg

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/3826/themansion64jc.jpg

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/4965/themansion29rk.jpg
welcome to the home of count dracula haahahaha :runaway:

:jk:

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/5047/40904570dsc0891web243d4fi7.jpg
^^ court building. restorations will be complete soon...i hope

By:John Brown
http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/7355/52490872penang4083ps24bme9.jpg
^^ customs complex

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/295/52493817penang13052ps24bu8.jpg
^^ The Mansion

By: John Brown

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/6352/52498147penang5199ps24cai3.jpg
^^ Homestead. now turning into a university. one mid rise building u/c behind it. the renderings i saw kinda blend in with Homestead. however, what is being built looks completely different

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/32/52601520penang5003ps24fga9.jpg
^^ dunno what name

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/4679/52813531penang7157ps225gx0.jpg
^^ British Council on Weld Quay

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/318/53914580penang7178ps250pw4.jpg
^^ customs complex

By: John Brown

http://img527.imageshack.us/img527/5875/53235456penang5010ps250gs5.jpg
^^ shih chung school. there was once a proposed columbarium on its site

http://img411.imageshack.us/img411/8527/52601608penang4092ps255rv3.jpg
^^ little india

wow, TYW u made good use of your yearend break thanks for the many photos, unfortunately the photo attachments r really slow loading today cant really see them all, keep it up :okay: :okay:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/73/218967715_e72af94ed2_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/92/218963768_84c3922fa2_o.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/95/215931299_a2095c9b89_o.jpg
this building has been refurnished a few months ago
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/76/210603849_fcc4d843a6.jpg?v=0

wow, pablo very nice photos. Esp like the gravestones very atmospheric :okay:

yea! i love the grave pic also :happy:

Tuesday February 6, 2007

Reminders of a glorious past

By CHRISTINA CHIN

IF you are taking the morning ferry from the mainland to Penang island, look out for two of China Street Ghaut’s most imposing structures – the Malayan Railway Building (or Wisma Kastam as it is known today) and Wisma Yeap Chor Ee.

Against the backdrop of a clear, blue sky, these buildings will capture your imagination.

It may not be as dramatic as the famous Titanic scene where Leonardo DiCaprio uttered that unforgettable (and not to mention cheesy) “I am the king of the world” line, but a feeling of exhilaration will still wash over you.

Tan Yeow Wooi Culture & Heritage Research Studio director W.Y. Tan said in the old days that these buildings were important landmarks for the state’s bustling port.

“Traders who docked at the Railway Jetty (which was directly in front of the China Street Ghaut) would be greeted by the amazing sight of two colonial giants.

http://thestar.com.my/archives/2007/2/6/north/yap.jpg
Grand old dame:The Wisma Yeap Chor Ee was once an important landmark.

“Both these buildings were designed with a very unique and exquisite feature – a distinctive arcade (a structure composed of a series of arches supported by columns).

“The Wisma Kastam building’s arcade has been renovated but the one at Wisma Yap Chor Ee is still in its original form.

“For decades before Komtar was built, the building with its clock tower (which by the way is still ticking with precision) was the tallest building on the island,” he said.

Wisma Kastam which currently houses the state Customs Depart-ment was formerly the Malayan Railway Building that sat alongside trading offices and warehouses built in the 20th century.

The Malayan Railway Build- ing was believed to be the only railway station in the world without a rail. Instead of platforms or trains, it had administrative offices, a ticketing booth and a first-class Railways Restaurant with Bar and Grill.

Passengers bought their tickets at the Penang Railway Station, walked to the Railway Jetty at the end of the China Street Ghaut and boarded the Railway Ferry Streamers to Butterworth to catch the train. Fares to and from Penang were inclusive of the ferry ride.

Built a century ago, the Malayan Railway Building marked the timely completion of the Federated Malay States (FMS) Railway which was mainly used to transport tin and crops.

It was the railway’s northern region headquarters. In the late 60s, the state Customs Office occupied the building.

State Tourism Development and Environment Committee chairman Teng Chang Yeow recently announced that Visit Malaysia Year 2007 would see a new four-star hotel occupying the Wisma Kastam site.

Planning permission has been approved and it is now at the building plans approval stage.

It's to be demolished?

It's to be demolished?

no no no...if they demolish it i'll demolish the whole city

they will be converted to hotels. little bit of renovations only...

there's a recent news where heritage minister, rais yatim gave an opening ceremony for a refurbished old building, what building is that?

http://ec2.images-amazon.com/images/P/9814068772.01._SS500_SCLZZZZZZZ_.jpg

i got this book..!!:) you guys should have one copy....lot of charming photos which reminds our glorious past is in there

i actually hope they renovate the Wisma Yeap Chor Ee to a maybe shopping mall or a huge souvenier shop.. since there a lot of tourist over there..

remember Ang Lee just capture a scence over there a few months back? that building has become a shopping mall in that movie;)

PINANG PERANAKAN MANSION

The Peranakans, also known as the Babas and Nyonyas, was a prominent community of acculturated Chinese unique to this part of the world, especially in the Straits Settlements (Penang, Malacca and Singapore) hence its other name, the Straits Chinese. Adopting selected ways of the local Malays and later, the colonial British, the Peranakans had created a unique lifestyle and customs which had not only left behind a rich legacy of antiques but its cultural influences like cuisine and language are still evident in Penang today.

At the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, the typical home of a rich Baba of a century ago is recreated to offer a glimpse of their opulent lifestyle and of their many customs and traditions. With over 1,000 pieces of antiques and collectibles of the era on display, this Baba-Nyonya museum is also housed in one of Penang’s heritage mansion of eclectic design and architecture. Built at the end of the 19th century by one of local history’s famous personalities, the ‘Hai Kee Chan’ or Sea Remembrance Store had once served as the residence and office of Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee. Though not a Baba himself, his Chinese courtyard house was much like a typical large Baba home of eclectic style, incorporating Chinese carved-wood panels and English floor tiles and Scottish ironworks. Having survived the many decades of neglect and decay, the mansion has now been restored to its former glory of a stately home.

MAIN STAIRCASE

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/1497/mainstaircase1a2881adq0.jpg

The main staircase incorporates the use of both local and imported materials in its construction, handrail with balusters of cast iron, from Glasgow, Scotland. A distinct feature of European influence includes the hollowed out design of fleur-de-lis on the decorative ironwork.

DINING HALL

http://img257.imageshack.us/img257/8048/diningroom1a3814fhi9.jpg

Richly decorated with European-styled teak furniture, Victorian ceramic figures and glass epergnes, affluent Baba households even have a separate western-styled dining room meant for entertaining peers and European guests. The dinner service includes porcelain, glass and silverware, all imported from Europe.

FRONT HALL

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/466/fronthallnew1a46af4bt3.jpg

In Straits Eclectic and Chinese homes, the front hall or parlor is typically separated from the rest of the house by an ornately carved wooden screen. Directly facing the main door, this timber divider acts as a ‘ spirit wall’ to prevent evil spirits from entering by obstructing their straight paths. The filigree panels also allow the womenfolk to take a peek at visitors where in more traditional households male guests rarely venture beyond this room

http://www.pinangperanakanmansion.com.my

Videography and Photograpy

Videography and photography are not allowed within the mansion. Any use of photographs or video clips for commercial purposes without the express written consent from the Management is strictly prohibited.

errr...here are some of my pics... am i going to jail?? :D

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/5502/pinangperanakanmansion1bl1.jpg
^^roof

side entrance
http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/6563/pinangperanakanmansion2pz6.jpg

http://img144.imageshack.us/img144/1498/pinangperanakanmansion3hp4.jpg

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/6236/pinangperanakanmansion4cb0.jpg

http://img134.imageshack.us/img134/9935/pinangperanakanmansion5xr7.jpg

http://img177.imageshack.us/img177/4884/pinangperanakanmansion6ut2.jpg
^^ european influenced

http://img220.imageshack.us/img220/2302/pinangperanakanmansion7qn8.jpg

some details of the roof thingy
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/1575/pinangperanakanmansion8ic2.jpg

http://img294.imageshack.us/img294/5376/pinangperanakanmansion1fr5.jpg

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/3069/pinangperanakanmansion9ln3.jpg
^^ courtyard and altar

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/8176/pinangperanakanmansion1pm7.jpg
^^ altar

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/5830/pinangperanakanmansion1xc6.jpg
^^ courtyard

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/3677/pinangperanakanmansion1uv7.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/8229/pinangperanakanmansion1cq1.jpg

http://img136.imageshack.us/img136/7620/pinangperanakanmansion1eg9.jpg
^^ details of the altar

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/2886/pinangperanakanmansion1pj2.jpg

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/2675/pinangperanakanmansion1fj3.jpg
^^ kitchen

http://img410.imageshack.us/img410/9056/pinangperanakanmansion1jv6.jpg
^^ your house got these??

http://img112.imageshack.us/img112/2326/pinangperanakanmansion1il4.jpg

http://img139.imageshack.us/img139/2413/pinangperanakanmansion2yn3.jpg
^^ looking up from the courtyard

http://img81.imageshack.us/img81/5386/pinangperanakanmansion2mg3.jpg
^^ now we're going upstairs

http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/5231/pinangperanakanmansion2ki4.jpg

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4959/pinangperanakanmansion2ea3.jpg

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/9199/pinangperanakanmansion2yx3.jpg
^^ one of the rooms

http://img95.imageshack.us/img95/2200/pinangperanakanmansion2fw4.jpg
^^ courtyard from stairs

http://img98.imageshack.us/img98/4604/pinangperanakanmansion2vz3.jpg
^^ bedroom

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/5739/pinangperanakanmansion2se3.jpg

http://img100.imageshack.us/img100/9684/pinangperanakanmansion2qh6.jpg

http://img138.imageshack.us/img138/5531/pinangperanakanmansion2vr0.jpg

last but not least, vertical pano
http://img148.imageshack.us/img148/4830/pinangperanakanmansion3op4.jpg

restoration work in beach street

http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/245/beachstreet18ue1.jpg

http://img215.imageshack.us/img215/1443/beachstreet19ka2.jpg

and this one in the church street - beach street junction
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/5606/churchstreet1uz0.jpg

http://img225.imageshack.us/img225/3323/beachstreet20iv5.jpg

waaaa......nice, love those details on it. thanks for sharing TYW:okay:

PINANG PERANAKAN MANSION

The Peranakans, also known as the Babas and Nyonyas, was a prominent community of acculturated Chinese unique to this part of the world, especially in the Straits Settlements (Penang, Malacca and Singapore) hence its other name, the Straits Chinese. Adopting selected ways of the local Malays and later, the colonial British, the Peranakans had created a unique lifestyle and customs which had not only left behind a rich legacy of antiques but its cultural influences like cuisine and language are still evident in Penang today.

At the Pinang Peranakan Mansion, the typical home of a rich Baba of a century ago is recreated to offer a glimpse of their opulent lifestyle and of their many customs and traditions. With over 1,000 pieces of antiques and collectibles of the era on display, this Baba-Nyonya museum is also housed in one of Penang’s heritage mansion of eclectic design and architecture. Built at the end of the 19th century by one of local history’s famous personalities, the ‘Hai Kee Chan’ or Sea Remembrance Store had once served as the residence and office of Kapitan Cina Chung Keng Kwee. Though not a Baba himself, his Chinese courtyard house was much like a typical large Baba home of eclectic style, incorporating Chinese carved-wood panels and English floor tiles and Scottish ironworks. Having survived the many decades of neglect and decay, the mansion has now been restored to its former glory of a stately home.

Very beautiful!

If only they remove the spotlights from the ceilings and restore everyhing to as it was. :lol:

glad you guys enjoyed the pics, here's more:

Penang Furnishing City:

http://img300.imageshack.us/img300/6748/furniturecity1dw1.jpg
^^ can you spot the forumers?? :D

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/463/furniturecity3mk1.jpg

http://img241.imageshack.us/img241/6294/furniturecity2yx9.jpg
^^ this one used to be REX cinema. i prefer the building not to be altered this much :(

WOW...old Penang is unique thanks TYW :) i' ve always like the old buildings in the old parts of the city, many are actually very elegant if you look pass the peeling paint and broken windows & when they get restored...wow. Penang has so many beautiful old buildings it was once the capital of the british Straits Settlements settled even before singapore and must still have the largest number of colonial buildings still standing, glad that many parts of old penang is still intact, it is a heritage that allows us a see our past and not be taken in by all the steel & glass structures of today

any news or pics about Suffolk house

you're welcome, travellator!!

unfortunately, i have neither news nor pics of Suffolk House :(

^^ i think i did ask you about suffolk house before....and you gave me a link which showed the restoration process is almost completed(exterior)

Oh, any photos?

oh yea, there's a thread for Suffolk House: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=405701

http://img222.imageshack.us/img222/3980/pict0500mk1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img156.imageshack.us/img156/5986/pict0421kq4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/3705/pict0562my9.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

^^ let me guess,

1st: Hanchiang Teochew Temple
2nd: Khoo Kongsi
3rd: Cheah Kongsi

Good Guess!

Good Guess!

yay!!!:D

acually i've not been to the Hanchiang Teochew Temple before...you have more pics of it??

Excellent shots TYW :)

Excellent shots TYW :)

thanks...if the "pro" photographer post his pics, mine is not that excellent anymore :D

Bravo and a big THANK YOU!!!! to both TYW and cooltemper for the many wonderful photos on the previous page! :applause:

yay!!!:D

acually i've not been to the Hanchiang Teochew Temple before...you have more pics of it??

Have. Taken during the CNY Open Day.
http://img170.imageshack.us/img170/1633/pict0498yp0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/8619/pict0502za6.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3927/pict0506li0.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9808/pict0509yr3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/9273/pict0512hv8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)