Loke Mansion (Kuala Lumpur)

Malaysia / Kuala Lumpur / Kuala Lumpur
The last mansion where one of Kuala Lumpur's richest businessman Loke Yew, resided until his death in 1917. The building has remained abondoned for years. Situated at Medan Tuanku Road 1. The Mansion was again refurbished in 2008. For details, contact: www.cheangariff.com
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   3°9'30"N   101°41'50"E

Comments

  • The Loke Mansion is actually situated on Lorong Medan Tuanku 1. The mansion and its grounds are all that is left of the original sprawling Loke Yew Estate. Loke Yew's descendants lived in the mansion until the 1930s. The building has been left vacant for more than 5 years and is currently being repaired and partially restored by its new tenant, the law firm of Messrs Chang & Ariff, as the firm's new office.
  • Hello choral editor, thank you for your informative post, However, as the new tenants of Ye Grande Ol' Loke Mansion, we would just like to draw your attention to some errors in your post. Firstly, the law firm's name is Messrs CHEANG & ARIFF, who are of course, on a mission to restore the grand old building to its former glory and contribute to part of the local heritage, and secondly, the correct address for Loke Mansion is actually Jalan Medan Tuanku - where the main gate entrance to the Loke Mansion grounds are situated.
  • I have been a big fan of old buildings around kl, and was saddened when the bok mansion was demolished for capitalistic reasons. I am very glad when I stumbled onto this forum, and see that a private corporation is taking the preservation of a heritage building in its own hands. Kudos to the visionaries in Messrs Cheang and Ariff! p/s : I have driven past the mansion today just to see the hive of activities that is going on there. Cannot wait to see the finished product!
  • Thanks to pathfinder for the correction on the spelling of the law firm's name. I have a bad habit of misspelling the firm's name. I am actually keeping a 'watching brief" (so to speak) on the progress of the restoration on behalf of a European building conservation group who came into the picture after the demolition of Bok House. I am still waiting to see if the wrought ironwork in the shape of icanthus leaves which used to grace both sides of the 1st floor of the mansion would be restored. That was one of the unique hallmarks of the Loke Mansion.
  • Dear choral editor, our firm has just moved in and officially started our operations in loke mansion on Novemeber 26 2007. I laud your interest in the restoration works on this building. Please feel free to call on us if you want a more thorough look at the works that has been done. You may contact me, Christopher Wong, when you drop by.
  • I wasn't exactly impressed by the restoration works. Call me nitpick but much of the refurbishments on the exterior primarily revolved around repainting, replacement of window fixtures and adaptation of modern amenities, which are still pretty good. Damaged fine plaster cravings and ornamental fixtures were not properly restored, a new hole was cut out on the compound wall on the right wing (despite the fact that there was a more elaborate entrance to the back) while windows in the rear were sealed up, balusters were removed on both sides of the second floor verandah to facilitate air conditioning, massive tarring of the enclosed lawn on the right side of the compound, and a grand entrance at the front which, compared with older photos of the place, was never part of the original design of the compound. The cheap sheet roofing is something I might overlook though.
  • With regard to what Parrot has commented, Cheang & Ariff's goal was not the full restoration of the building. That would have been too expensive and as tenants, not worthwhile for Cheang & Ariff. At least the repairs and limited restoration they undertook should protect the building from further depradations for a number of years. The real owner of the property should undertake the restoration. No balusters were removed during the recent renovations. The wrought ironwork in the design of icanthus leaves was looted by scrap metal thieves a few years ago when the building was unoccupied. I am, of course, disappointed that they have not been restored. The new porch is quite attractive though I fully understand that to restore the original look of the porch is probably impossible due to the lack of plans and the few 1930s photographs at our disposal does not tell us a lot about its dimensions and architectural details.
  • On Parrot's comment - the "new hole cut out on the compound wall" - this has been there for many years and has nothing to do with the current renovation/restoration work. Cheang & Ariff are interested to know the exact design of the missing alcanthus leaf balusters for possible restoration in the future. The "cheap sheet roofing" is a legacy of the previous tenants. Cheang & Ariff should be complimented on the restoration of the mural above the Moon Gate and the proper documentation of Loke Yew's coat-of arms which is in the Royal Grand Hall on the left of the front door as you enter. The badly damaged rear portion which was part of Cheow Ah Yoke's 1862 house has been saved from further depradation and has been cleverly adapted for modern use. Christopher Wong - thank you for your invitation. I have already visited 3 times and will be writing on the restoration works with the blessings of your Managing Partner.
  • Without a doubt, I was devastated by the news of the sudden demolition of Bok House too. Such a pity. I'm just curious, besides the documentation of Loke Yew's coat-of-arms, has the partners of Cheang & Ariff also documented the restoration process? By the way, may I self-invite myself to view the restored mansion without having to incur legal expenses, Mr Christopher Wong? Parrot, with all due respect, I think what Cheang & Ariff has done is commendable and should be emulated, not criticised. This is after all an altruistic venture. True, they may not have restored the Mansion to its full glory but they could have very well occupied any other purpose-built office. The restoration cost alone would have availed them to a lavishly renovated office. By the way, has any heritage conservation body chipped in regards the cost of restoration? I sincerely doubt it. Well, Mr Christopher Wong, perhaps a Building Conservation Trust Fund could be established to maintain this magnificent building and perhaps someday, the Mansion will be restored to its full glory including its wrought iron icanthus-leave motif balusters and paintings! Me? I will contribute a trifle on my way out of the viewing gallery...
  • I'm not implying a complete restoration. Obsolesce, inflation over the decades and shortage of craftsmen means that something like this cannot be pulled off without a massive budget. Case of point, the formerly dilapidated Tan Boon Chia mansion in Rasa, which costly restoration inside and out was financed by Genting, which is filthy rich. My concern is more on the exteriors, which is the most visible aspect of a building. The Loke Hall where Pertubuhan Arkitek Malaysia is based in retains virtually much of the outer aesthetics without the need to sacrifices part of the facade for modernisation, as is the Pakistan High Commission and the old OCBC Bank building at Market Square. But the practice of renovation as demonstrated with this mansion is very similar to what has been done with numerous shophouses all over Kuala Lumpur where there is a disregard for original facade designs, yet the renovation could be costlier than if it's centred around rehabilitation and retention.
  • I beg to differ. What "disregard for original facade designs" are you referring to exactly? I believe little was done to the "original" facade. I think this is where we are at odds. I have to admit that I have not had sight of the "older pictures of the place" you referred to (but I would sure love to get my hands on 'em!). By "original", I meant the condition that it was in when Cheang & Ariff took possession of it, not at its heyday. Like choral editor pointed out, the ballusters were carted away by scrap-metal collectors... and the "new hole was cut out on the compound wall" as choral editor had pointed out, already existed when they took possession. My personal view is that the original facade has retained its identity with the tasteful addition of glass walls for practical reasons. It is unfortunate that the wrought iron icanthus-leaf balusters have been looted as the row of compressors can be rather unsightly. Be that as it may, I'm just glad they haven't reduced the place to rubble as they did Bok House.
  • I agree with heritagekid that Cheang & Ariff is doing a great job in restoring Loke Mansion. I had been to Loke Mansion when it was occupied and when it was abandoned. Just take a look at the place now and see whether parrot's comments are fair or not.As far as I can remember, the facade is the same as before and is not altered at all except for the addition of the porch and the exterior courtyard building both of which complement the building and so do the garden. Instead of just criticising anyone who possesses old photos,materials and information etc why not make a copy and forward them to Cheang & Ariff to help them in their efforts to preserve and restore Loke Mansion
  • I happened to pass by the Loke Mansion last night and my, oh my... what a sight for sore eyes! Has anyone seen the extension they've done at the back? Could've sworn I was transported back to the Ming Dynasty or thereabouts! I wonder what motivates them to invest so much for a place that will at most be on a fixed term lease. Parrot, I do suggest you take a stroll there sometime soon. I honestly believe you would have a change of heart. In fact, for that short moment I was there, I did half expect wide-eyed ang mohs to be strolling out of the mansion with their Nikons clicking away! A living museum of sorts...
  • Goodness.I was floored with what Cheang&Ariff has done to the Loke Mansion. I should know because I have my office in Medan Tuanku for the last 10 years.I 'sneaked' in today after having seen the exterior.The iron wrought icanthus leaves have been replaced by something similar. The damaged reliefs have been restored. I make this comment because of what Parrot said and too fast to be unfair.What commits this law firm is a mystery to me. I must tell you this - they are restoring the Painted Gate.I saw an artist at work. Yes,the 'extension' they did at the back is gorgeous. Chris Wong, can I see that place on an 'official' basis?
  • Greetings to all. I am sorry that I have not had the time to revisit this forum for such a long time. Anyway, for those who are (still) interested in a private tour of the refurbished Loke Mansion, please call my office at 03-26910803 and ask for me, Christopher Wong. I will be glad to show you around.
  • Congratulations on Loke Mansion being featured in The Star a couple of days back! It is a befitting tribute to the passion and dedication of the people at Cheang & Ariff to preserve our heritage and hopefully provide that beacon of hope for many more dilapidated heritage sites in Malaysia. http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/7/21/lifeliving/1541934&sec=lifeliving http://thestar.com.my/lifestyle/story.asp?file=/2008/7/21/lifeliving/1541950&sec=lifeliving
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This article was last modified 15 years ago