Lee Rubber Building Explained

Lee Rubber Building
Native Name:Bangunan Lee Rubber
Native Name Lang:ms
Architectural Style:Art Deco
Location:Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Location Town:-->
Completion Date:1930
Destruction Date:-->
Owner:GF Land Sdn Bhd
Management:or
Operator:or
Governing Body:-->
Floor Count:5
Floor Area:988 m2
Architect:Arthur Oakley Coltman
Mapframe-Zoom:16

The Lee Rubber Building (Malay: Bangunan Lee Rubber) is a historical building in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Architecture

Lee Rubber Building is located at the corner of Jalan Tun H. S. Lee and Jalan Hang Lekir (known as High Street and Cecil Street during the British colonial era).[1] The building was designed by Arthur Oakley Coltman of the British architecture firm, Booty Edwards & Partners company. Its grey façade sports the Modernist Art Deco design as its architectural style, with striated lines and mouldings complete with differentiated corner treatment topped with an essential flag pole. Its five-foot way is broken by solid wall-like pillars.[2] [3] It has a strong geometric shape with a corner set at a 45° angle. Like most urban Art Deco structures, the original building has a flat roof with no cornice or overhang.[4] [5] It also has a pediment that portrays the building's original name in English and Chinese.[1]

History

The building was constructed in 1930. Upon completion, it was the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur at that time.[5] In 1942-1945, the building was used by the Japanese government as the headquarters of Japanese secret police during World War II. In 1950s, an additional floor was added to the structure, making it a five-story building. In 2003, Popular bookshop opened for operation in the building.[6] The building was put up for sale in 2015 by its former owner, Lee Rubber Group; the Popular bookstore and the Kasturi tuition centre upstairs vacated the building several months later as a result.[7] Nevertheless, Kuala Lumpur City Hall by-laws prohibit the demolition or significant structural alteration to the heritage building.

In 2016, the then-85-year-old structure, was sold to Singapore-based GF Land Sdn Bhd whom set out to convert the historic building into a new landmark. The Lee Rubber Building was turned into a small luxury hotel,[8] named Else Kuala Lumpur featuring 49 guestrooms and suites[9] and opened for the public on August 11, 2022. On top of the original four-storey structure, a new podium and an additional two floors are constructed. The building also sports a series of atriums to bring in natural light and ventilation .[10]

The building is preserved under the National Heritage Act and is listed as a heritage structure category 2 by Kuala Lumpur City Hall. This entails a preservation of the entire façade.

Transportation

The building is accessible within walking distance northeast of Pasar Seni LRT/MRT station.[7]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Southgate. Audrey. Bracken. Gregory Byrne. A Walking Tour Kuala Lumpur. 2014. Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Pte Ltd. 978-9814516945. 2. 7 June 2014.
  2. Book: Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (Malaysian Institute of Architects). Architectural Heritage: Kuala Lumpur – Pre-Merdeka. 2007. Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia (Malaysian Institute of Architects). 9789834049379. N2.
  3. Web site: The former Lee Rubber Building in KL City will reopen as a boutique hotel this July. 22 February 2022. New Straits Times. 13 June 2022.
  4. Web site: Historic Lee Rubber Building put up for sale. Edgeprop.my.
  5. Faculty of Built Environment, University Malaya. Final Lee Rubber Assignment. 3 February 2009. 7 June 2014.
  6. Web site: Bookstore in centre of Chinatown closes its doors for good. 11 April 2016. The Star Online. 23 November 2016.
  7. Web site: Historic Lee Rubber Building put up for sale. Rachel. Chew. 23 November 2015. The Edge Property. 23 November 2016.
  8. Web site: First Look: New Boutique Hotel Takes Up Residence at Lee Rubber Building. Brian. Cheong. Tatler Asia.
  9. Web site: 5 July 2022 . Else Kuala Lumpur .
  10. Web site: From heritage to downtown chic. 3 April 2022. The Edge Markets.