Stewart Lane, A Year Later: Transformation-in-Progress

Stewart Lane, A Year Later: Transformation-in-Progress
Since we purchased the shophouse last year, there has been a buzz of activity on Stewart Lane.

Stewart Lane Looking East

Starting from the end of the street behind the Kwan Yin temple there is a row of seven shophouses that were partially burned, and as a result were in an extremely dilapidated condition. These shophouses were sold sometime last year and are currently undergoing extensive renovation. The plans appear to be for these to become boutique hotels. This row of houses is the first thing you see when you make the turn around the back of the temple, so we are anxious to see how the renovation will transform the character of the street. If the project is done properly it could really breathe new life and generate more activity on the street. On the other hand, a poorly conceived renovation could makes things worse, i.e. a restoration that does not preserve the architecture and spirit of the original row of shophouses. In Penang you can never really be sure whether a project will have a positive or negative impact on a neighborhood until it is completed.

Walking towards Muntri Street from the temple, past the last of the seven houses under construction, at the corner of Lorong Chulia, are the five houses that make up The Straits Collection.

Front Facade of Straits Collection

Of the five shophouses, three are guest houses, one is a library that serves as a lobby and the corner house is a cafe. This quaint café, called Kopi Cine, serves up western style espresso drinks, freshly squeezed juices and an assortment of locally inspired dishes. The menu is oriented towards a tourist clientele, as demonstrated by the prices, which are on average about 2-3 times more than what you might pay for similar food at a Kopitiam. However, the location of the café, and the atmosphere of a restored shophouse draws a steady stream of tourists. We dropped in to take a look around and had a few items from their menu. My pineapple, ginger, and lime juice, while nothing to scream home about, was a pleasing break from the mid day heat (on the other hand, the banana and passion fruit smoothie at Amelie’s café is amazing!).

Mango Juice from Kopi Cine'	Straits Collection Library
Straits Collection Library	Entry of Guest House

Between Lorong Chulia and the green bungalow not much has changed. On our row however, the unit next to the right of 36 SL, which was restored about 2 years ago, is now up for rent at about RM 3500 and is adorned with signboards posted by various agents. The building just to the left of 36 SL is rumored to be for sale, although I have seen no signs confirming this.

The building on the corner, across the street from 36 SL was also up for sale but the multiple title owners made the transaction difficult and last we heard, the sale was on hold.

Finally, on the last stretch of the street approaching Muntri Street, are the three shophouses that make up the back portion of 23 Love Lane. We are now starting to see progress on restoring these houses and are very excited to see the end product.

36B Stewart Lane For Lease

Indian Shophouses

With major restoration projects happening at both ends of the street, and a buzz of activity in between, Stewart Lane will likely look very different in the near future. We remain optimistic that these particular changes will bode well for Penang’s tourism industry and Penangites,  and particularly for those who have devoted their passion and energy to ensuring that the city’s heritage is preserved.

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