| Gone But Not Forgotten |
This page is dedicated to all the heritage buildings, structures and sites that have been demolished or simply cease
to exist in Malaysia.
to exist in Malaysia.
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1. 11 Jln Istana Larut House (Taiping, Perak)
This majestic house could once be found in the rich architectural heritage town of Taiping. Unfortunately as if it is a curse to all
the fine houses and mansions in Malaysia, it too was demolished sometime last year (2006).
I do not know the history of the house and I do not know when it was built. As such I am not too certain whether this house can
be defined as part of our national heritage. However, judging from the fine architecture of this house and by the sheer beauty of
it, I am giving this house some sort of justice that it deserves by show casing it here.
The style of this house, in my humble amateur opinion (as I am not an architect myself) is of Malay-Palladian style. To all those who
know the history or origins of this house or would like to comment on any aspects of this house are more than welcomed to do so.
Please contact us.
This majestic house could once be found in the rich architectural heritage town of Taiping. Unfortunately as if it is a curse to all
the fine houses and mansions in Malaysia, it too was demolished sometime last year (2006).
I do not know the history of the house and I do not know when it was built. As such I am not too certain whether this house can
be defined as part of our national heritage. However, judging from the fine architecture of this house and by the sheer beauty of
it, I am giving this house some sort of justice that it deserves by show casing it here.
The style of this house, in my humble amateur opinion (as I am not an architect myself) is of Malay-Palladian style. To all those who
know the history or origins of this house or would like to comment on any aspects of this house are more than welcomed to do so.
Please contact us.
2. The Residency (Taiping, Perak)
" The Assistant Resident's house, built in 1884 for over $19,000, was subsequently occupied by the Resident of Perak. Taiping town
has the distinction of being the first town to have a Resident's residence within the town itself. Mubin Sheppard later described
it as "a cavernous, single storied building, raised on rotund pillars sixteen feet above the ground". What remains are the brick
pillars, which decorate the garden of the modern rest house." 1, 3
If you have an old picture of this house and would like to share, please email it to reza@vintagemalaya.com
" The Assistant Resident's house, built in 1884 for over $19,000, was subsequently occupied by the Resident of Perak. Taiping town
has the distinction of being the first town to have a Resident's residence within the town itself. Mubin Sheppard later described
it as "a cavernous, single storied building, raised on rotund pillars sixteen feet above the ground". What remains are the brick
pillars, which decorate the garden of the modern rest house." 1, 3
If you have an old picture of this house and would like to share, please email it to reza@vintagemalaya.com
Year Built: Not known
Year Demolished: 2006
Architect:
Style: Malay Palladian
Year Demolished: 2006
Architect:
Style: Malay Palladian
Year Built: 1870
Year Demolished:
Architect:
Style:
Location:
Year Demolished:
Architect:
Style:
Location:
3. Charles Alma Baker House (Batu Gajah, Perak)
Charles Alma Baker, a surveyor from New Zealand who owned vast tracts of land and rubber estates during the early 1900s, had
built the house, which was used to film several scenes of Anna and the King in 1999. (The Star, 19 April 2006)
This building was torn down sometime in September 2005 and is thought to have been at least 95 years old.
Charles Alma Baker, a surveyor from New Zealand who owned vast tracts of land and rubber estates during the early 1900s, had
built the house, which was used to film several scenes of Anna and the King in 1999. (The Star, 19 April 2006)
This building was torn down sometime in September 2005 and is thought to have been at least 95 years old.
| In its glorious days... |
| Ruins of the house.. |
| Gone are the days .... |
Year Built: Probably 1910
Year Demolished: 2005
Architect:
Style:
Location: 3 Jln Changkat
Year Demolished: 2005
Architect:
Style:
Location: 3 Jln Changkat
4. Bok House (Kuala Lumpur)
The infamous Bok House, was perhaps one of the most distinguished
landmarks on Jalan Ampang or even in the city of Kuala Lumpur. Bok House in
its grandeur days went through a colourful transition over the years of its
existence. It had once been used as a boarding house managed by a
European hotelier, a bank *, a restaurant (Le Coq D'or) but legendary as a
domicile for the Chua Cheng Bok family. Alas, this national heritage which
never failed to turn heads, was demolished late last year. (December 2006)
This mansion was built in the style of the civic buildings, in which Chua
Cheng Bok saw when on a visit to England. The influences of the design were
of Palladian style of Renaissance revivalism incorporating Baroque influences.
As in all Renaissance and Palladian buildings, the symmetry is the dominant
feature of the residence. However, the subtle curves on the portico,
ornateness of the gate and grand central stairs reflect a Baroque influence.
* During 1943 - 1944, the front portion of the house was occupied by
Yokohama Specie Bank. 4, 5
landmarks on Jalan Ampang or even in the city of Kuala Lumpur. Bok House in
its grandeur days went through a colourful transition over the years of its
existence. It had once been used as a boarding house managed by a
European hotelier, a bank *, a restaurant (Le Coq D'or) but legendary as a
domicile for the Chua Cheng Bok family. Alas, this national heritage which
never failed to turn heads, was demolished late last year. (December 2006)
This mansion was built in the style of the civic buildings, in which Chua
Cheng Bok saw when on a visit to England. The influences of the design were
of Palladian style of Renaissance revivalism incorporating Baroque influences.
As in all Renaissance and Palladian buildings, the symmetry is the dominant
feature of the residence. However, the subtle curves on the portico,
ornateness of the gate and grand central stairs reflect a Baroque influence.
* During 1943 - 1944, the front portion of the house was occupied by
Yokohama Specie Bank. 4, 5
Year Built: 1929
Year Demolished: 2006
Architect: Swan & Mac Laren, Singapore
Style: Palladian/Baroque
Location: 119, Jln Ampang
Year Demolished: 2006
Architect: Swan & Mac Laren, Singapore
Style: Palladian/Baroque
Location: 119, Jln Ampang
5. Mooi Mansion (Kuala Lumpur)
Year Built:
Year Demolished: 1990s
Architect:
Style:
Location: Jln Ampang
Year Demolished: 1990s
Architect:
Style:
Location: Jln Ampang
Chan Chim Mooi was an entrepreneur whose trait was in the mining
business. He came to Malaya from China for the second time when he
was 17 in the early 20th century. In the beginning, he and his friends
started their own mining business before he opened his own, called
Chim Lee Mines in Ampang. The mining business in Ampang was closed
down after the Second World War but the one he opened in Kepong
lasted right up to the mid 1990's managed by two of his five sons. Chan
Chim Mooi died in the mid 1940s
The Mooi Mansion was built on a 70,000 sq ft of prime land opposite
Bok House along Jalan Ampang. During those days, Jalan Ampang
would have easily fitted the bill as the Millionaires Row, just like
Northam Road (Jln Sultan Ahmad Shah) in Penang. Today, the same
plot of land houses Maya Hotel, Plaza 138 and Menara Chan. The
property was purchased possibly in the year 1938 and the Chan family
moved in about a year later.
This double storey mansion had about 30 rooms and at one point,
about 4 generations of the Chan family were staying there. There was
also a three storey tower which had a spiral staircase in it. Other
than the notable Gothic arched windows, this mansion was prominent
for its Chinese style adornment.
Sadly, Mooi Mansion, the few remaining mansions on Jalan Ampang was
demolished in the 1990s to make way for a hotel. 5, 6, 7
business. He came to Malaya from China for the second time when he
was 17 in the early 20th century. In the beginning, he and his friends
started their own mining business before he opened his own, called
Chim Lee Mines in Ampang. The mining business in Ampang was closed
down after the Second World War but the one he opened in Kepong
lasted right up to the mid 1990's managed by two of his five sons. Chan
Chim Mooi died in the mid 1940s
The Mooi Mansion was built on a 70,000 sq ft of prime land opposite
Bok House along Jalan Ampang. During those days, Jalan Ampang
would have easily fitted the bill as the Millionaires Row, just like
Northam Road (Jln Sultan Ahmad Shah) in Penang. Today, the same
plot of land houses Maya Hotel, Plaza 138 and Menara Chan. The
property was purchased possibly in the year 1938 and the Chan family
moved in about a year later.
This double storey mansion had about 30 rooms and at one point,
about 4 generations of the Chan family were staying there. There was
also a three storey tower which had a spiral staircase in it. Other
than the notable Gothic arched windows, this mansion was prominent
for its Chinese style adornment.
Sadly, Mooi Mansion, the few remaining mansions on Jalan Ampang was
demolished in the 1990s to make way for a hotel. 5, 6, 7
If you have any old or coloured pictures of Mooi Mansion, and would like to share, please contact us.
6. Mahkota Puri Palace (Klang, Selangor)
Mahkota Puri Palace in Klang was built in the year 1889 to
replace Alaeddin Palace (Bandar Palace) in Jugra as the Royal
Administrative Center. The Sultan of Selangor at that time, Sultan
Alaeddin Suleiman Shah dwelled in this palace in 1903. When the
Sultan died in 1938, Tengku Alam Shah was inaugurated as the
new Sultan. It was during this time Mahkota Puri was demolished
to be replaced with Alam Shah Palace. The new palace was built
on the same site as Mahkota Puri in the year 1950. 10
replace Alaeddin Palace (Bandar Palace) in Jugra as the Royal
Administrative Center. The Sultan of Selangor at that time, Sultan
Alaeddin Suleiman Shah dwelled in this palace in 1903. When the
Sultan died in 1938, Tengku Alam Shah was inaugurated as the
new Sultan. It was during this time Mahkota Puri was demolished
to be replaced with Alam Shah Palace. The new palace was built
on the same site as Mahkota Puri in the year 1950. 10
Year Built: 1889
Year Demolished: 1950
Architect:
Style:
Location:
Year Demolished: 1950
Architect:
Style:
Location:
7. Selangor Museum (Kuala Lumpur)
The Selangor state established its own museum in 1899. Unfortunately, during
World War II, a part of the museum was destroyed by the bombs dropped by
the Allied Force on 10 March 1945. As a result, a lot of artefacts were
destroyed.
" The west wing was completed and opened to the public in 1906, was
extended in 1914. The museum was designed in a 'Flemish' style. The planning
is basically linear with entrances on both east and west wing ornament by
finials, flemish domes and cupolas." 4, 11
Year Built: 1899
Year Demolished: 1945
Architect:
Style:
Location:
World War II, a part of the museum was destroyed by the bombs dropped by
the Allied Force on 10 March 1945. As a result, a lot of artefacts were
destroyed.
" The west wing was completed and opened to the public in 1906, was
extended in 1914. The museum was designed in a 'Flemish' style. The planning
is basically linear with entrances on both east and west wing ornament by
finials, flemish domes and cupolas." 4, 11
Year Built: 1899
Year Demolished: 1945
Architect:
Style:
Location:
8. Satok Bridge (Kuching, Sarawak)
The main reason this bridge was constructed was to hold two 12 inches pipes to
cross the river. A pedestrian walkway and a motorway which could hold cars up to
3000 pounds were also built. However, the condition of the bridge soon became
worrisome as the sheer weight it had to support were evident as the two structural
towers on each end of the river leaned heavily. To rectify this, stones were added
to the base of the towers. The amount of stones were so many that the stones can
still be seen today.
The length of the bridge was 700 ft and 7 ft wide. Excavation works started in 1923,
while the structural works were completed in 1924. In 1925, the 12 inch pipes were
layed and were already in used. The bridge was opened for use at the end of 1926.
Cost of building the bridge amounted to $52,000 and at least one life was taken due
to building the bridge. 15
Year Built: 1926
Year Collapsed:
Architect: A.S Lowe
Style:
Location:
cross the river. A pedestrian walkway and a motorway which could hold cars up to
3000 pounds were also built. However, the condition of the bridge soon became
worrisome as the sheer weight it had to support were evident as the two structural
towers on each end of the river leaned heavily. To rectify this, stones were added
to the base of the towers. The amount of stones were so many that the stones can
still be seen today.
The length of the bridge was 700 ft and 7 ft wide. Excavation works started in 1923,
while the structural works were completed in 1924. In 1925, the 12 inch pipes were
layed and were already in used. The bridge was opened for use at the end of 1926.
Cost of building the bridge amounted to $52,000 and at least one life was taken due
to building the bridge. 15
Year Built: 1926
Year Collapsed:
Architect: A.S Lowe
Style:
Location:
