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Standard Chartered Bank building, Penang: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 5°25′07″N 100°20′36″E / 5.418588°N 100.343298°E / 5.418588; 100.343298
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m The current tenant of the former Standard Chartered Bank Building has been updated as of July 2024.
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| opened_date = 1930
| opened_date = 1930
| architect = Stark and McNeil<ref name="Marcus" >{{Cite book |last=Langdon |first=Marcus |title=A Guide to George Town's Historic Commercial and Civic Precincts |publisher=George Town World Heritage Incorporated |year=2014 |location=[[George Town, Penang|George Town]] |pages=33}}</ref>
| architect = Stark and McNeil<ref name="Marcus" >{{Cite book |last=Langdon |first=Marcus |title=A Guide to George Town's Historic Commercial and Civic Precincts |publisher=George Town World Heritage Incorporated |year=2014 |location=[[George Town, Penang|George Town]] |pages=33}}</ref>
| owner = Mercury Securities Sdn. Bhd.<ref name="Opalyn">{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=20 Nov 2019 |title=From bank to co-working space: Penang’s 87-year-old Standard Chartered building reopens |work=[[Malay Mail]] |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2019/11/20/from-bank-to-co-working-space-penangs-87-year-old-standard-chartered-buildi/1811656 |access-date=22 Nov 2023}}</ref>
| owner = Mercury Securities Sdn. Bhd.<ref name="Opalyn" />
| cost =
| cost =
| top_floor = 4
| top_floor = 4
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| building_type =
| architectural_style =
| architectural_style =
| current_tenants = [[INFINITY8]] <!-- {{URL|https://www.infinity8.com.my/}} -->
| current_tenants = [[IWG plc]]<ref name="Opalyn">{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=20 Nov 2019 |title=From bank to co-working space: Penang’s 87-year-old Standard Chartered building reopens |work=[[Malay Mail]] |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2019/11/20/from-bank-to-co-working-space-penangs-87-year-old-standard-chartered-buildi/1811656 |access-date=22 Nov 2023}}</ref>
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| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
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}}
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The '''Standard Chartered Bank building''' is a historical building in [[George Town, Penang|George Town]] within the [[States and federal territories of Malaysia|Malaysian state]] of [[Penang]]. Completed in 1930, the office building, situated at [[Beach Street, George Town|Beach Street]] within [[George Town Central Business District, Penang|George Town's Central Business District]], was one of the tallest in the city at that time.<ref name="Marcus" /> It served as the Penang branch of [[Standard Chartered]] until 2017, after which the bank relocated to its new premise down the street. The building has since been reopened as Spaces Beach Street, one of [[IWG plc|IWG]]'s [[Coworking|coworking spaces]] in Malaysia.<ref name="Opalyn">{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=20 Nov 2019 |title=From bank to co-working space: Penang’s 87-year-old Standard Chartered building reopens |work=[[Malay Mail]] |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2019/11/20/from-bank-to-co-working-space-penangs-87-year-old-standard-chartered-buildi/1811656 |access-date=22 Nov 2023}}</ref>
The '''Standard Chartered Bank building''' is a historical building in [[George Town, Penang|George Town]] within the [[States and federal territories of Malaysia|Malaysian state]] of [[Penang]]. Completed in 1930, the office building, situated at [[Beach Street, George Town|Beach Street]] within [[George Town Central Business District, Penang|George Town's Central Business District]], was one of the tallest in the city at that time.<ref name="Marcus" /> It served as the Penang branch of [[Standard Chartered]] until 2017, after which the bank relocated to its new premise down the street. The building has since been reopened as [https://www.infinity8.com.my/georgetown-prelaunch/ INFINITY8 Reserve George Town], the flagship [[Coworking|coworking spaces]] of [https://www.infinity8.com.my/ INFINITY8] in Northern Malaysia<ref name=":3" />.

[[File:Standard Chartered Bank Full View.jpg|left|thumb|Standard Chartered Bank building in 2012, prior to the relocation of [[Standard Chartered]]'s [[Penang]] branch]]
[[File:Standard Chartered Bank Full View.jpg|left|thumb|Standard Chartered Bank building in 2012, prior to the relocation of [[Standard Chartered]]'s [[Penang]] branch]]


== History ==
== History ==
The [[Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China]] (known as Chartered Bank), a British bank established in 1853 was established in Penang in 1875. It is the oldest bank branch in Malaysia,<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Khoo |first=Salma Nasution |title=Streets of George Town, Penang |publisher=Penang, Malaysia : Areca Books |year=2007 |edition=2nd |pages=46}}</ref> and was the leading bank in colonial Malaya,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Peter J. Drake |date=21 November 2023 |title=British banks in colonial Malaya |url=https://www.ehm.my/publications/articles/british-banks-in-colonial-malaya}}</ref> later, in 1969, merging with [[Standard Bank]] to form [[Standard Chartered|Standard Chartered Bank]].
The [[Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China]] (known as Chartered Bank), a British bank established in 1853 was established in Penang in 1875. It is the oldest bank branch in Malaysia,<ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Khoo |first=Salma Nasution |title=Streets of George Town, Penang |publisher=Penang, Malaysia : Areca Books |year=2007 |edition=2nd |pages=46}}</ref> and was the leading bank in colonial Malaya,<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |last=Peter J. Drake |date=21 November 2023 |title=British banks in colonial Malaya |url=https://www.ehm.my/publications/articles/british-banks-in-colonial-malaya}}</ref> later, in 1969, merging with [[Standard Bank]] to form [[Standard Chartered|Standard Chartered Bank]].


After opening at [[Beach Street, George Town|Beach Street]], it relocated several times along the road, moving into premises at No. 11 in 1875 where it remained until 1930.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Teh Leam Seng |first=Alan |date=19 January 2020 |title=The angpow's history and link to M'sia's oldest bank |work=New Straits Times |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/01/557842/angpows-history-and-link-msias-oldest-bank}}</ref>
After opening at [[Beach Street, George Town|Beach Street]], it relocated several times along the road, moving into premises at No. 11 in 1875 where it remained until 1930.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Teh Leam Seng |first=Alan |date=19 January 2020 |title=The angpow's history and link to M'sia's oldest bank |work=New Straits Times |url=https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2020/01/557842/angpows-history-and-link-msias-oldest-bank}}</ref>
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After the [[World War I|First World War]], the bank saw the need for additional space and acquired the site at No. 2 Beach Street which was occupied by the old Central Police Station. The site occupied approximately 20,000 square feet with a frontage on Beach Street of 154 feet and 156 feet on Union Street.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=6 February 1930 |title=NEW CHARTERED BANK OPENED. |pages=7 |work=The Straits Budget |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitsbudget19300206-1.2.15?qt=%22chartered%20bank%22,%20opening,%20penang,%20gilman&q=%22Chartered%20Bank%22%20opening%20Penang%20Gilman}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=31 January 1930 |title=Opening Of New Chartered Bank Building. |pages=6 |work=Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/pinangazette19300131-1.2.22?qt=%22chartered%20bank%22,%20opening,%20penang,%20gilman&q=%22Chartered%20Bank%22%20opening%20Penang%20Gilman}}</ref>
After the [[World War I|First World War]], the bank saw the need for additional space and acquired the site at No. 2 Beach Street which was occupied by the old Central Police Station. The site occupied approximately 20,000 square feet with a frontage on Beach Street of 154 feet and 156 feet on Union Street.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=6 February 1930 |title=NEW CHARTERED BANK OPENED. |pages=7 |work=The Straits Budget |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/straitsbudget19300206-1.2.15?qt=%22chartered%20bank%22,%20opening,%20penang,%20gilman&q=%22Chartered%20Bank%22%20opening%20Penang%20Gilman}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news |date=31 January 1930 |title=Opening Of New Chartered Bank Building. |pages=6 |work=Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/digitised/article/pinangazette19300131-1.2.22?qt=%22chartered%20bank%22,%20opening,%20penang,%20gilman&q=%22Chartered%20Bank%22%20opening%20Penang%20Gilman}}</ref>


Plans were approved for the construction of the new premises in 1925. The architects appointed were Stark and McNeil, the contractors were Chin Ah Chin and Yong Ah Shing, and resident engineer was Steen Sehested.<ref name="Marcus" /> However, construction was delayed due to problems with the foundations, and the building was not completed until 1930.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
Plans were approved for the construction of the new premises in 1925. The architects appointed were Stark and McNeil<ref name="Opalyn">{{Cite news |last=Opalyn Mok |date=20 Nov 2019 |title=From bank to co-working space: Penang’s 87-year-old Standard Chartered building reopens |work=[[Malay Mail]] |url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/life/2019/11/20/from-bank-to-co-working-space-penangs-87-year-old-standard-chartered-buildi/1811656 |access-date=22 Nov 2023}}</ref>, the contractors were Chin Ah Chin and Yong Ah Shing, and resident engineer was Steen Sehested.<ref name="Marcus" /> However, construction was delayed due to problems with the foundations, and the building was not completed until 1930.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />


The new office building, formerly opened at a ceremony on 30 January 1930, was evidently a success as the bank remained in occupation for the next 87 years.<ref name=":1" /> A major renovation was carried out in 1992 when the original banking hall was redesigned,<ref name=":0" /> and it finally vacated the building in 2017, moving once again along Beach Street to more modest premises at No. 86 where it remains today.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 November 2023 |title=Standard Chartered |url=https://www.sc.com/my/}}</ref> [[IWG plc]] subsequently took a lease of the building and in 2019 opened Spaces Beach Street, the company's second [[Coworking|coworking space]] in Malaysia after Spaces Platinum Central in [[Kuala Lumpur]].<ref name="Opalyn" />
The new office building, formerly opened at a ceremony on 30 January 1930, was evidently a success as the bank remained in occupation for the next 87 years.<ref name=":1" /> A major renovation was carried out in 1992 when the original banking hall was redesigned,<ref name=":0" /> and it finally vacated the building in 2017, moving once again along Beach Street to more modest premises at No. 86 where it remains today.<ref>{{Cite web |date=21 November 2023 |title=Standard Chartered |url=https://www.sc.com/my/}}</ref> [[IWG plc]] subsequently took a lease of the building in 2019 had opened Spaces Beach Street until May 2023. The renovated building was leased to INFINITY8, an office space provider that offers corporate solutions, on 1st of July 2024, occupying the entire ground floor and mezzanine floor <sup>[10]</sup>.


== Description ==
== Description ==

Revision as of 03:59, 9 July 2024

Standard Chartered Bank bulilding
Map
General information
AddressStandard Chartered Building, 2, Beach Street, George Town, Penang, Malaysia
Town or cityGeorge Town
CountryMalaysia
Coordinates5°25′07″N 100°20′36″E / 5.418588°N 100.343298°E / 5.418588; 100.343298
Current tenantsINFINITY8
Construction started1926
Completed1930
Opened1930
OwnerMercury Securities Sdn. Bhd.[2]
Height
Top floor4
Technical details
Floor count4
Design and construction
Architect(s)Stark and McNeil[1]

The Standard Chartered Bank building is a historical building in George Town within the Malaysian state of Penang. Completed in 1930, the office building, situated at Beach Street within George Town's Central Business District, was one of the tallest in the city at that time.[1] It served as the Penang branch of Standard Chartered until 2017, after which the bank relocated to its new premise down the street. The building has since been reopened as INFINITY8 Reserve George Town, the flagship coworking spaces of INFINITY8 in Northern Malaysia[3].

Standard Chartered Bank building in 2012, prior to the relocation of Standard Chartered's Penang branch

History

The Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China (known as Chartered Bank), a British bank established in 1853 was established in Penang in 1875. It is the oldest bank branch in Malaysia,[4] and was the leading bank in colonial Malaya,[3] later, in 1969, merging with Standard Bank to form Standard Chartered Bank.

After opening at Beach Street, it relocated several times along the road, moving into premises at No. 11 in 1875 where it remained until 1930.[5]

After the First World War, the bank saw the need for additional space and acquired the site at No. 2 Beach Street which was occupied by the old Central Police Station. The site occupied approximately 20,000 square feet with a frontage on Beach Street of 154 feet and 156 feet on Union Street.[6][7]

Plans were approved for the construction of the new premises in 1925. The architects appointed were Stark and McNeil[2], the contractors were Chin Ah Chin and Yong Ah Shing, and resident engineer was Steen Sehested.[1] However, construction was delayed due to problems with the foundations, and the building was not completed until 1930.[6][7]

The new office building, formerly opened at a ceremony on 30 January 1930, was evidently a success as the bank remained in occupation for the next 87 years.[6] A major renovation was carried out in 1992 when the original banking hall was redesigned,[4] and it finally vacated the building in 2017, moving once again along Beach Street to more modest premises at No. 86 where it remains today.[8] IWG plc subsequently took a lease of the building in 2019 had opened Spaces Beach Street until May 2023. The renovated building was leased to INFINITY8, an office space provider that offers corporate solutions, on 1st of July 2024, occupying the entire ground floor and mezzanine floor [10].

Description

The square-shaped, four-storey building is 80 feet high with the ground floor faced with granite and features an arcade to provide shade. The frontal facade of the upper floors features a veranda with a Doric colonnade surmounted by a Parthenonic frieze.[6]

The ground and mezzanine floors were occupied by the bank whilst the upper floors, consisting of offices, were let to tenants. The floor of the bank was paved with marble and mosaics, and featured a U-shaped, teak counter with bronze grills. The manager's office with its panelled walls was adjacent to the bank's two strongrooms with security doors and locks provided by Chubb and Son. On the mezzanine floor were two further strongrooms for the bank's documents and records.[6]

References 

  1. ^ a b c Langdon, Marcus (2014). A Guide to George Town's Historic Commercial and Civic Precincts. George Town: George Town World Heritage Incorporated. p. 33.
  2. ^ a b Opalyn Mok (20 Nov 2019). "From bank to co-working space: Penang's 87-year-old Standard Chartered building reopens". Malay Mail. Retrieved 22 Nov 2023.
  3. ^ a b Peter J. Drake (21 November 2023). "British banks in colonial Malaya".
  4. ^ a b Khoo, Salma Nasution (2007). Streets of George Town, Penang (2nd ed.). Penang, Malaysia : Areca Books. p. 46.
  5. ^ Teh Leam Seng, Alan (19 January 2020). "The angpow's history and link to M'sia's oldest bank". New Straits Times.
  6. ^ a b c d e "NEW CHARTERED BANK OPENED". The Straits Budget. 6 February 1930. p. 7.
  7. ^ a b "Opening Of New Chartered Bank Building". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 31 January 1930. p. 6.
  8. ^ "Standard Chartered". 21 November 2023.