“Limburg” (George Town)

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The 1916-built mansion is called the “Limburg” and has been classified as a “castle mansion” resembling the chateaux of the Loire Valley during the French Renaissance period, according to author Jon Sun Hock Lim.

In Lim’s book “The Penang House and The Straits Architect 1887-1941”, made available by the Penang Heritage Trust, the Limburg is among the most “outstanding” architectural structures of the Straits Settlements in the 20th century.

Limburg, despite its faux-German name, was once the home of prominent early 20th century Penang's first millionaire industrialist Lim Cheng Teik (1884-1978).

It was designed by architect Henry Neubronner and draughtsman Chew Eng Eam.

Lim was the son of tycoon Phuah Hin Leong (who was born Lim Choo Guan to an impoverished family from the Lim clan, and subsequently adopted by a Phuah family).

Like his father, Lim entered the oil and rice milling business. He became successful early in life, and was elected at the age of 26 as the youngest Municipal Commissioner of Penang. At the age of 33, he became the Chairman of the Chinese Chamber of Commerce.

A small road in George Town has been named after him, called Medan Lim Cheng Teik (between Lunas Road and Pangkor Road), or Lim Cheng Teik Square. It leads from Burmah Road into the residential area developed in the 1950s.

The building was converted into a fast food restaurant (KFC) in 1987. The KFC outlet, one of the oldest in Malaysia closed its doors, effective 16 March 2019 after 32 years of operation.