The Coliseum Hotel & Cafe (above), was established in 1921 by Chua Cheng Bok, located in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (formerly Batu Road), right next to iconic Coliseum Theatre. It was famous for its "Western Hainanese" cuisine, a favourite haunt for colonial officers, tin miners and plantation owners. The British author, W.Somerset Maugham was a notable regular during his travels in the 1920's. The original cafe had been closed in 2021 and moved to Mid Valley Megamall, IOI City Mall and Plaza 33.
While the Coliseum Theatre was built in 1920, one of the oldest cinemas in Malaysia. Today, it is operated by Lotus Five Stars (LFS) Cinemas, maintaining its original purpose while many other heritage theaters have been demolished or repurposed.
The SMK Maxwell School was founded in 1917 and named after Sir William George Maxwell, a high-ranking British colonial official. It officially opened its door to studen on 1 June 1922. It was officially gazetted as National Heritage site.
Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall building was built in 1923 and the grand opening of the hall was officiated the Sultan of Selangor on 29 October 1934.The building was completed after a massive fundraising push from community leaders like Cheong Yoke Choy and Alan Loke.
The Cheong Yoke Choy Mansion was built in 1923. Located at Jalan Sultan Idris Shah in Ipoh, Perak was built for Cheong Yoke Choy, a famous philantropist and co-founder of Kwong Yik Bank.
Badan Warisan Malaysia heritage Building located at No.2, Jalan Stonor, Kuala Lumpur was a 1925 British-Colonial style bungalow, was a private residence during the colonial era.
Badan Warisan Malaysia restored and adapted the building in 1995 to serve as their Heritage Centre.
The "Rumah Degil" (Stubborn House), built in 1926 at it's original location at Jalan Chow Kit, Kuala Lumpur.It was built by Haji Jaafar Sutan Sinombar, a descendant of Sutan Puasa. The final resident, Normah Manjawali refused the sell the land to developers for years, despite being surrounded by high-rise construction, that's given the house nickname of "Stubborn House".
However, it was eventually sold in 2013 and the house was dismantled piece-by-piece and was rebuilt to its current location in 2018.
The Institute of Medical Research Building located at Jalan Pahang,Kuala Lumpur was built in 1928. Located next to the Hospital Kuala Lumpur.
Present day, this heritage building houses the Biomedical Museum. It was gazetted as National Heritage Building in 1983, while the research Institute has moved to Shah Alam, Selangor.
The Royal Museum, formerly the National Palace located along Jalan Syed Putra in Kuala Lumpur. It was built in 1928, originally a mansion for a local millionaire before being converted into the official residence of the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (the King of Malaysia) in 1957.
After the New Palace was completed in 2011, this site was converted into a museum and opened to the public in 2013.
Sin Seng Nam Restaurant, located at Medan Pasar was built in 1928 by Hainanese immigrant Choong Yoo Ting and his two brothers. It reopened in April 2014 as Cafe Old Market Square.
The Telecom Museum located at Jalan Raja Chulan, Kuala Lumpur was built in 1928 as the Central Battery Manual Telephone Exchange. By 1938, it made history by housing British Malaya's first mechanical (Automatic) exchange.
In 1984, the building was actually slated for demolition to make way for a 26-story skyscraper. It was saved at the last minute by then-Prime Minister Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, who recognized its heritage value.
The Muzium Telekom was officially opened to public in 1994.It's now Malaysia's first interactive museum, tracing over 120 years of communication history, from early Morse Code to Modern satellite.
The Victoria Institution (VI), Kuala Lumpur's oldest secondary school, It was officially opened on 26 March 1929, by Sir Hugh Clifford.
On September 13, 1945, the school was the site where the Japanese 29th Imperial Army officially surrendered to the British.
In 2009, it was officially declared a National Heritage site by the Malaysian government.
The Lee Rubber Building was completed in 1930, designed by Arthur Oakley Coltman. It served as the HQ of the Japanese Kempetai (Secret Police) during the World War II.
Today, it is now home to Else Kuala Lumpur, a luxury boutique hotel that opened in 2022.
The Sulaiman Building located at Jalan Hishamuddin, Kuala Lumpur was built in 1926 and completed in 1930, was officially opened in 1933. It was originally built as the New Railway Offices for the Federated Malay States Railway.It was named after Sultan Sir Alaeddin Sulaiman Shah, the 5th Sultan of Selangor.
At present, it is the HQ of the Asian International Arbitration Centre (AIAC).
The Oriental Building, the historical landmark located at the corner of Jalan Tun Perak and Jalan Melaka, was completed in 1931. Designed by Arthur Oakley Coltman, a key figure in shaping KL's pre-war skyline.
For many years, it served as the HQ of Radio Malaya until late 1960's. It was built for the Oriental Government Security Life Assurance Company.
In August 15, 1932, Hotel Majestic opened its doors in Kuala Lumpur. Designed by Dutch firm Keys and Dowdeswell, it was commissioned by the estate of Loke Wan Tho (son of Loke Yew).
After WW2, the hotel played a pivotol role in Malaysia's birth. Leaders like Dato' Onn Jaafar and Tunku Abdul Rahman (Malaysia's first Prime Minister) held regular meetings here to discuss independence from Britain.
The hotel was closed in 1984 and was converted into the National Art Gallery, howerver, in 2012, it was reopened by YTL Hotes as The Majestic Hotel Kuala Lumpur featuring the original "Majestic Wing".
Bangunan MATIC (Malaysia Tourist Information Complex) building was built in 1935. It was originally built as a private residence for Eu Tong Sen, a legendary tin mining and rubber tycoon.
During the World War II, the building's purpose shifted drastically:
- 1941: served as the war office for the British Army
- 1942-1945: became the HQ for the Japanese Imperial Army
- 1959: hosted the very first meeting of the Malayan Parliament.
- Coronation of Yang di Pertuan Agong
- 1988: refurbished and renamed the Malaysia Tourist Information complex (MATIC).
The Tung Shin Hospital, a landmark that truly does date back to 1935, the building was donated by the famous Aw Brothers (Aw Boon Haw and Aw Boon Par), the philanthropists behing Tiger Balm and the Sin Chew Jit Poh newspaper.
While the building is from 1935, the hospital itself is much older. It was founded in 1881 by Yap Kwan Seng, the last Kapitan of Cina of Kuala Lumpur.
Built in 1936, the Central Market building was designed by Y.T. Lee, it was a bustling wet market before its 1980's transformation into the arts and culture hub as we known today.
Originally known as Anglo-Oriental Building, the building was completed in 1937, served as the HQ for Anglo-Oriental (Malaya) Ltd. the world's leading tin mining and management company. Designed by Arthur Oakley Coltman,the same visionary behind the Lee Rubber Building and the Odeon Cinema. Situated at the corner of Jalan Tangsi (formerly Barrack Road) and Jalan Parlimen (formerly Club Road).
It was renamed Wisma Ekran in 1995 after being acquired by Ekran Berhad.
The Odeon Cinema building, opened in 1936, located at the intersectionof Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman (formerly Batu Road) and Jalan Dang Wangi, it was designed by Arthur Oakley Coltman. Commissioned by Cathay Organisation (founded by Loke Wan Tho).
Today, the building has been revitalised as ODEON KL, no longer functions as a cinema but has been repurposed into a multipurpose heritage event space.
The OCBC Building, built in 1937 and was designed by Arthur Oakley Coltman of the firm Booty & Edwards. It sits right at the confluence of the Klang and Gombak rivers, just a stone's throw from Masjid Jamek.
The Agnes Keith House, located at Sandakan,Sabah was rebuilt in 1946 to replace the original house which was destroyed during World War II. Agnes Keith was an American author who popularised the phrase "The Land Below The Wind" for Sabah. After surviving the internment in Japanese POW camp, she write a book "Three Came Home", where she and her husband rebuilt their house that was destroyed during the war.
The Federal Hotel, located at Jalan Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur opened its door on August 28, 1957, just three days before the declaration of Independence on August 31, 1957. It was specifically commissioned by Malaysia's first Prime Minister, Tunku Abdul Rahman, and was built by tycoon Tan Sri Low Yat. The hotel restaurant was actually used by Tunku Abdul Rahman to host early cabinet meeting and official government functions before Malaysia had a formal Parliament House.
Compiled by :
Hj Zulheimy Maamor
Lembah Keramat, KL
7/2/2026: 10.02 a.m
No comments:
Post a Comment