RM24mil facelift for Wisma Lee Rubber


By Johnni Wong


TOUTED as Kuala Lumpur’s first high-rise office tower when it was completed in 1980, Wisma Lee Rubber in Jalan Melaka, Kuala Lumpur is being upgraded and refurbished at a cost of RM24mil.

The 18-month project, to start in January next year, will provide 20,801 sq m of gross floor area with a net lettable area of 12,077 sq m. The upgraded 29-storey building, owned by the Lee Rubber group, will offer office and retail space.

The management had planned the exercise ahead of the relocation of its anchor tenant, OCBC Bank (M) Bhd. OCBC Bank recently moved to its own Menara OCBC, which is scheduled to be opened by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi today.

Incidentally, the major shareholder of both Lee Rubber and OCBC Bank is the family of the late Singaporean tycoon and philanthropist Lee Kong Chian.

According to Lee Foundation financial controller and director Lee Seng Chuan, the Lee Rubber group continues to show confidence in Malaysia by investing in the refurbishment of Wisma Lee Rubber.







http://biz.thestar.com.my/archives/2005/6/3/business/p2-leebld.JPG

An artist's impression of the new facade of Wisma Lee Rubber, seen on the left of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building clock tower.








“We are also building two new rubber processing factories in Kedah and Kelantan, each costing around RM40mil. Furthermore, we are building a hypermarket or a supermarket in Segamat, Malacca and Batu Pahat, with each structure costing RM20mil,” Lee said.

“Lee Rubber Co (Pte) Ltd started business in Muar, Johor, in 1927. At the time, Malaya and Singapore were considered one country and our philosophy has always been to treat our operations as one, even though accounting procedures have to be separated,'' he said. “Therefore, in this period of doldrums in the economy, we are committing ourselves to invest more in Malaysia.”

Lee noted that the refurbishment exercise, together with the new OCBC Bank headquarters in the vicinity, would help accelerate urban rejuvenation in the area.

Wisma Lee Rubber eventually will be equipped with amenities such as 24-hour concierge service, enhanced security and even a “street-side” café.

The new architectural design by Veritas Architects Sdn Bhd will continue the “modern simplicity” of the original building.

According to architect Azril Azmi Jaafar, the office tower will be re-finished with a glass-and-stainless steel curtain wall. The design with vertical stainless steel sun-shading fins against a fully glazed façade will create a soaring visual effect to accentuate the height of the building.

At night, the top floors when lit are designed as a light box creating a distinctive light sculpture that will appear to glow from afar.

At the street level, the former car porch will be extended with a dramatic glass canopy to create a sheltered semi-outdoor verandah space with a sidewalk café to encourage more activities in the area beyond office hours.

At the street level, the former car porch will be extended with a dramatic glass canopy to create a sheltered semi-outdoor verandah space with a sidewalk café to encourage more activities in the area beyond office hours.

Can't wait to see this one coming to life :D
Wonder how it will be, beside, the size of the car porch area is not that big.

http://www.veritas.com.my/port_varc_office/lb2s.gif

The suppose to be new facade :D

A larger version: :D

http://www.veritas.com.my/port_varc_office/lb2b.gif

Here's a larger rendering of the overall:

http://www.veritas.com.my/port_varc_office/lb1b.gif

by Chuck Inglefield

http://www.pbase.com/image/40946090.jpg

by Iis P. Tussyadiah

http://www.pbase.com/iisjp/image/38780427.jpg

http://img184.exs.cx/img184/9537/3679116314ds.jpg

Finally they can make a new facade after OCBC moved out! New windows and entrance only ah?

Finally they can make a new facade after OCBC moved out! New windows and entrance only ah?

Then...what else do you expect?

Expected some triangular dome..make it taller :D

It isnt that ugly now..but I guess the new look is more updated

like the base! :happy:

wuhoo!Its great that its gonna be facelifted though it just minor.And i totally agree with Baq,a triangle dome will look better:D

can't wait for january ! :D

Any progress pics???

^ the project will only start in January 2006 :)

^ the project will only start in January 2006 :)

I guess so. Cause I always park my bike next to be building everyday while waiting for the Maybank bus to pick me up.

No activity at all yet. ;)

by Anne Philou

http://www.pbase.com/ohyanna/image/37347304.jpg

the drop off looks good, glass canopy......cool

Still look the same...no indication that the facelift will start anytime soon :(

Any progress...

ah ya this building ah is fine all it needs is a good cleaning!i suspect they had to do something to attract new anchor teanant since ocbc moved out!

The renno still has not start yet...

taken last year :D
http://img64.imageshack.us/img64/880/menaraleerubber13kb.jpg

:tiasd: construction has already started on this building ... well, we will just wait and see ... :old: :fiddle:

really? i didnt see any construction goin on though...:?

I noticed that the building currently is under refurbishment.

^ yay. :happy:

Ooo... this gonna be exciting! :yay:

A la High Street Centre! :D

yeah..started last week. took some picture last week. update it later ;)

Wah....so many people saw it already! :D I saw it last Saturday too :yes:

- Windows removed
- 100+m of scaffolding nets

PARTY!

taken by mtparadis of flickr.com

http://static.flickr.com/58/164776807_4b0d2d3bb0_b.jpg

wah...after remove the windows, feel like that building has been boomed...hehhe:D

High Street Centre was cladded top down. So at times, the top was new facade while the bottom was still old facade. :cool::D

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/500/103hs138.jpg

I want to see how this building transforms.

http://img155.imageshack.us/img155/8438/243yu.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/zahirnya/IMG_0370.jpg

what camera are you using now? :D

what camera are you using now? :D

Canon Ixus I. Why?

Much better output than ur Kodak last time...or is it ur skills are malatup already? :cool:

Much better output than ur Kodak last time...or is it ur skills are malatup already? :cool:

Donno wor :)

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/zahirnya/IMG_0370.jpg

Wow, nice updates zahirnya (all the other pictures too)!

The safety netting is a bit strange I think, looks like it's been draped and let to dangle? Like a fashionable shawl...:D

Looks like Wisma Lee Rubber is not the only building undergoing facelift and recladding. The shorter building in Zahirnya's pic seems to be going through the same "fate" :)

From flickr.com

http://static.flickr.com/74/175533460_e28ab43db2_b.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/zahirnya/IMG_0383.jpg

From flickr.com

http://static.flickr.com/59/194597068_30bc049d43_o.jpg

Attach a spire also on top :D

From flickr.com

http://static.flickr.com/72/205690611_79c7e422e5_b.jpg

wow ...great pics guys ...i walk that route everyday ... and work is progressing quite fast, expected to be complete by 2007 ...hmmmm :soon:

From flickr.com

http://static.flickr.com/97/213725522_d63a75ee0e_b.jpg

skeleton exposed!! :D

From flickr.com
in the old part reserved...

http://static.flickr.com/98/209934236_1c94950393_b.jpg

From Menara KL
http://i8.tinypic.com/4bs7ak0.jpg

Been a few months... how's the tower going?

wah,its very rare to see a building going through such a renovation state!

Taken by MylifeStory of flickr.com

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/142/355787582_4339101704_b.jpg

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/141/355787137_1c55f908bd_b.jpg

Formerly Lee Rubber
by MyLifeStory

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/203/455225219_c05954b9a9_o.jpg

Oh, I've seen this, thought it was a new tower... In fact I noticed it before already, because it was so ugly ^ ^ The new OCBC tower looks cool, btw :-)

From flickr.com

http://static.flickr.com/97/213725522_d63a75ee0e_b.jpg

woa..!! what a view ! i like pokok kelapak in this pic :cheers:

Classic KL :D

the latest rendering can be seen at the construction site.

Taken this week :happy:

http://i17.tinypic.com/2n1gpci.jpg

by FlyKonstantin

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/172/464874786_4754883d34_o.jpg

Just wondering!!Lee Rubber and OCBC are singaporean companies???

Just wondering!!Lee Rubber and OCBC are singaporean companies???

yup :yes:

by Prerit

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/179/469389036_23b86d4a84_o.jpg
by Kelsey's Travels
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/197/475376700_938e7c9154_o.jpg

http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/8/5/26/f_35235m_303aa8f.jpg

Guyz, latest pic of Wsma Lee Rubber?

guys!!! i saw rubber lee's building today, i think the windows on one side of the buildng are mostly attached. so hoping somene could snap few pix.

^^ yup...i saw it too

http://img36.picoodle.com/img/img36/9/7/19/f_009m_3fd1279.jpg

http://img36.picoodle.com/img/img36/9/7/19/f_010m_f7645ca.jpg

http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/8/5/26/f_35235m_303aa8f.jpg

Hey anyone notice that Bangunan Dato' Zainal also has a facelift with all those metal cornices?! :)

which one bangunan datuk zainal and who's datuk zainal? never heard before. :?

http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/8/5/26/f_35235m_303aa8f.jpg

July 25, 2007
by cweigold

http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/9/7/26/f_11m_48dcc55.jpg

[QUOTE=alsen;14387222]which one bangunan datuk zainal and who's datuk zainal? never heard before. :?

bangunan datuk zainal is an old building rite behind wisma lee rubber and next to that building with the roof which looks like minangkabau heh. if i can remember correctly, its about 20 storey tall, white color, tinted window, and wide. it is no longer known as bangunan datuk zainal, but now bangunan MNA??? btw, datuk zainal is the father of the late tan sri zain azrai, (details at http://myperwakilan.kln.gov.my/am/newyork/unPermanent.htm) zain azrai brother has a law firm known as zain and co.

nazrey. the question mark in the picture you put is actually the new bukit aman logistic department building which is under construction. i forgot how tall it is going to be but i think its more then 20 storey.

by natinski

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1419/912256577_f8a4029810_b.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1325/912256353_4f6dc7a622_b.jpg

^^ that thing is soo glassy! :cool: great transformation!

the OCBC building is such an eyesore....bloody hell this singaporean, we gave them a very nice solid Maybank tower...yet they gave us this crappy designed thing....

^^ Hmm? It could be ugly and it's very subjective but it has nothing to do with nationality la... And building a corporate tower in another city is not "giving" la...

this is about corporate image....having a grand building also reflects their profile....

so,if 'giving' cannot be used...then?

and OCBC is considered singapore's. so i use the word 'singaporean' pointing to OCBC, and not every single living singaporean.....

^^ When u said, "we gave them", they gave us" it has such inuendo already... you are not just pointing to OCBC but Singaporean as a whole and KL/Malaysia as a whole.

Plus, if it is a corporate image and they pay money to build it rightfully, then so be it because that's their corporate identity and there's nothing we can do about it but to say it's ugly lor. Maybank Tower looks good in Singapore and that's their blessings and of course, bravo to Maybank. But then again, there will be people who thinks the building is ugly and imagine they say, "wah, such an ugly building from Malaysia. They gave us this piece of crap". :| :|

^^ When u said, "we gave them", they gave us" it has such inuendo already... you are not just pointing to OCBC but Singaporean as a whole and KL/Malaysia as a whole.

oh...i c...i shouldn't use 'we' or 'they' actually...sorry for that.

But then again, there will be people who thinks the building is ugly and imagine they say, "wah, such an ugly building from Malaysia. They gave us this piece of crap". :| :|

no lah...i don't think people would say that...unless those who are blind lah...actually, maybank made a competition for designing the building, you know..?

^^ hehe thats true... but frankly, I prefer the glassy Maybank Tower in Singapore than our concrete Menara Maybank in KL... although it looks good also but if it were glassier it's even better!! :D

^^ hehe thats true... but frankly, I prefer the glassy Maybank Tower in Singapore than our concrete Menara Maybank in KL... although it looks good also but if it were glassier it's even better!! :D

yup. i prefer to work inside Maybank Tower rather than Menara Maybank..but hehe..cant choose..so have to stay inside the latter one ;)

maybank such a rich company cannot do a facelift ah....?aiseh...don't be stingy lah...

http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/9/8/3/f_249m_f153465.jpg

by ChiaoX

http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/9/8/3/f_253m_fae4457.jpg

what a big change!

by ChiaoX

http://img02.picoodle.com/img/img02/9/8/3/f_253m_fae4457.jpg

wah! agree :cheers:

From caterpillar to butterfly!

should look great when lit up at nite! :cool: hopefully!

by iainhector

http://img32.picoodle.com/img/img32/9/8/10/f_56m_d4fa09c.jpg

by johanesrudis

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1193/1036165633_9ae08cfaa9_o.jpg

^ The pokok kelapa got more attention there!

itu pokok pinang lah..!

i heran.. kan bagus kalau DBKL tanam pokok yg tetamu boleh makan buahnya. mcm durian,rambutan,ciku.. x pun pokok cili merah.

opss.. lupa.. kobis, carrot, dll.

^^ rambutan would be great! :lol: durian awas leh.. nanti jatuh on someones kepala tak biak leh.. dan matsalleh complaint busuk.. nanti mereka bagi KL name baru cam kota busuk..

by Maarten Roggeman

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1330/1240104375_04d570356f_o.jpg

retro pics.. :cool:

a superhero standing tall right in front of his empire

by zvileve

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1281/1377492240_1801b6bd23_o.jpg

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1215/1462422767_32f534f097.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/1523119294_4c0b45d97d.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2034/1523116816_d55f2f4b6d.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2208/1523116314_6214c7e2a9.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2018/1523133836_6639cf060e.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2365/1522270263_69ebf325cc.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2130/1523128398_2571e0eba8.jpg?v=0

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2382/1523109236_6bfd275fba.jpg?v=0

Nice! Can;t wait for them to take down the stickers!

The cladding certainly give the tower looks taller than before. Nice work!

^^ u mean the vertical lines kinda cladding on this building?

Yes. They made the best choice of doing with thinner glass cladding.

^^ clean and order too! :cool:

Today's photo (12/10/2007)

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/9559/1000241ju5.jpg

wow! gold color signs! :cool: got taste! looks quite retro too.. if im not wrong.. thx for the pics TWK!

http://img40.picoodle.com/img/img40/9/10/13/f_023m_1cdaf00.jpg

by melvinmah

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2161/1563059659_138770cd87_o.jpg

by Robert Ngo

http://img36.picoodle.com/img/img36/6/10/18/f_01m_96b31ac.jpg

Nice proving!
by My Crazy Angles

http://img40.picoodle.com/img/img40/5/11/7/f_10m_e4043b9.jpg

What would be the rental like if it is for leasing?

by gg2cool

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2360/2039187478_cb1c59675f_o.jpg

by rubix1138

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/2112072721_fd52e188fe_b.jpg

16/12/07

http://a379.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/99/l_9500e667238f379875cf34b2489f01aa.png

i must say this is looking more and more gorgeous. it's amazing how they've managed to transform it from the old and dirty building into this glassy and glowing tower. great job!

by rubix1138

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2359/2112072721_fd52e188fe_b.jpg

^^next...Klang River Beautification Project? :okay:

by jacobssalon

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2131/2148887722_d35eb6fd2c_b.jpg

http://img211.imageshack.us/img211/4301/img6724cc4.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

quite smooth lookin.. :cool:

by stanleygee

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/2164969352_7168081057_b.jpg

by mingthein

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2272/2165768808_d7a28b5b2b_o.jpg

by mingthein

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2071/2127241925_ae2c19b1df_o.jpg

The OLD pic

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2007/2014719681_8c0bf163ff_b.jpg

^^ OMG a nite pics of it! :eek:

by cl6m6ns

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2217/2134756735_d400ec65e1_b.jpg

by SRI MELOR

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2305/2196079165_e23afd44ed_b.jpg

loooks great! hey hows the construction on the new HSBC building? the site looks busy..

by suey_j

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2295/2203071021_81c770a283_b.jpg

Well, one building in that cluster in nazrey's pix @ post #127 is already renovated (and a very nice job of modernizing an old-timer!)... The next one is the Hamzah KH Building (red block opposite HSBC)... Any1 has pix or started a thread on that building's re-cladding project?

by shahizadsulaiman

http://img01.picoodle.com/img/img01/4/1/26/f_2213558816dm_5ff1310.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2097/2212764139_6e2335321f_o.jpg

11/02/08

http://a782.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/13/l_34c880932c6e2ff7eff886ee22a23c9d.png

http://a731.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/38/l_edce993d4ce30211aa645653e4c3b122.png

11/02/08

http://a782.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/13/l_34c880932c6e2ff7eff886ee22a23c9d.png
finally....:okay:

well done ! :applause:

clean and sharp! :cool:

rather phallic :|

18/2/08

http://a173.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/83/l_e89305dbb142513adce9f4ffcdeb5f54.png
http://a28.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/31/l_2fc2f6df8cdf7192de685eafe92b793b.png
http://a477.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/101/l_3bc66efca5d657fe2dcf1424cf2451cc.png

http://a916.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/28/l_dfa9d694b396a452eff58546af333fd3.png
http://a170.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/73/l_183a47aff9c2e5b89267e3bdbd9b85e9.png
http://a673.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/14/l_4a3df6ad21a426b1a03d4ef6f0c82118.png

http://a782.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/76/l_c1bae85259932b8bbbed799a1cbe3fdd.png
http://a91.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/39/l_389275b4ef22cd19d893c89702467d8a.png
http://a802.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/46/l_41f78d09c21072e499daabb00a8f0f99.png

by Dany et Maryse

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3074/2291202810_1a2e3c104f_o.jpg

Lee Rubber is a singaporean company ???

by muwen

http://img27.picoodle.com/img/img27/4/3/14/f_01m_f40d2ee.jpg

by Just A Slice

http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/4/3/14/f_23316578575m_c5f5a85.jpg

rather phallic :|

aren't all towers phallic?

by bsboudreau (http://flickr.com/photos/bsboudreau/sets/72157605110170229/)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2499390031_fb40ceaf49_b.jpg

A transformation of KL from 1970 to present viewed through the Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad:

1. Circa 1970 - no highrise in the background
2. Circa 1980 - some highrise in the background; Wisma Lee Rubber under construction
3. 2006 - Lotsa new highrise + KL Tower in the backgroud; Wisma Lee Rubber undergoing a facelift
4. 2008 - A new, modern outlook of Wisma Lee Rubber

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/logorithm/architecture/BangunanSultanAbdulSamad1970.jpg

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/logorithm/architecture/BangunanSultanAbdulSamad1980.jpg

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/logorithm/architecture/BangunanSultanAbdulSamad2006.jpg

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/logorithm/architecture/BangunanSultanAbdulSamad2008.jpg

I wonder where that little boy is now!!!!

Update!!!
by alban.galland

http://img29.picoodle.com/img/img29/4/7/16/f_04m_e7def42.jpg

by Philip Roeland

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/2684092172_9c8727f2bb_o.jpg

by LeeDaubney

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3170/2715912611_f6abff424b_b.jpg

Nice contrast!
by bramstah.garbo

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3262/2764226057_2ecca073f2_b.jpg

by erasmusa

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2746848178_c6cfdd218d_b.jpg

i really like this building hey.. with or without the refurbishment.. metalic and glasseyh.. :cool:

Just for fun... :)

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/logorithm/architecture/WismaLeeRubbermaybe01.jpg

^^aiks sudah tukar??? no more wisma lee rubber??

by pacoruina

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3251/2871637305_42a4ec679b_b.jpg

Just for fun... :)

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/logorithm/architecture/WismaLeeRubbermaybe01.jpg

haha! u should make it bit more taller! :cool:

haha! u should make it bit more taller! :cool:

Ok... here's 10 storeys taller...

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/logorithm/architecture/WismaLeeRubbermaybe03.jpg


And 10 storeys taller + dome... :nuts:

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/logorithm/architecture/WismaLeeRubbermaybe04.jpg

by Swee Yih

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3101/2874857119_d81848f6ef_o.jpg

Ok... here's 10 storeys taller...

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/logorithm/architecture/WismaLeeRubbermaybe03.jpg


And 10 storeys taller + dome... :nuts:

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd282/logorithm/architecture/WismaLeeRubbermaybe04.jpg

oih! it actually looks 'k hey! :cool: but not that dome ones! :lol: nice one dude!

^^ Hahaha... thanx Seed. Was just having fun photoshopping while bored with my work. Now which building's gonna be my next victim? :lol:

^^ binjais :naughty:

by higaru

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3062/2941234279_ddbd7d9944_b.jpg

I hope the river would be renovated one day, since its what KL derives its name from.

^^ i think the river area is not that bad hey.. its just hard to renovate it because i've heard some guys here said bout floats and stuff.. we have discussed this before... the only thing can be done (in my oppinion) is that the streets round the river gets some sort of nice pave walkways and plants.. if they hav'nt done it yet that is..

HAHAHA i was shock when i saw the dome on the building haha

by phalinn

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3249/2989610368_f1ff6a1142_b.jpg

by mrlasse

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3027/3008269217_c14e0d18a1_b.jpg

Masjid Jamek LRT station need upgrade tot!
by D-900

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3122/3159555548_3f3228aa9c_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3264/3191127274_4e9077f4f7_o.png

quite nice actually

From flickr

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2562/3927644653_c290d4faa3_b.jpg

i've entered this building numerous times.... got CNN on tv outside

From Veritas

http://www.veritas.com.my/newsletter/Website%20Newsletter/February%202010/2.jpg

From flikr

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4055/4575309863_8b7c8e97f1_b.jpg

after one year

http://img593.imageshack.us/img593/6884/image0928y.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/593/image0928y.jpg/)

Uploaded with ImageShack.us (http://imageshack.us)