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Harking back to the romance of the
The rough texture of the original brick
For 80 years, Loke Thye Kee, which in
early 1900’s, Loke Thye Kee Residences
walls are visually enlivened by hidden
Hainanese means ‘House of Happiness’,
recalls the spirit of a bygone era but
LED cove lighting and the typically
was the choice venue for birthday
adds its own contemporary twist to
enclosed vanity and wardrobe spaces are
dinners and wedding parties. True to its
modernize the living experience. Colin
celebrated as transparent glass boxes
name, it was also the venue for many
Seah, Founder-Director explains: “I was
which seamlessly extend into the rest
match-making arrangements, where
very inspired by the romance of
of the room. Floor rugs, cushion
Penang in the 1900s, the
fabrics and furniture
mood and design of
pieces were chosen to
that bygone era
reflect the central
was beguiling.
theme of adding
We wanted to
a contemporary
young potential brides-to-be would catch
a first glimpse of their suitors. These
not- so-subtle arrangements would be
sealed with a furtive glance and a sip of
tea in a certain pre-arranged drinking
style. Hence Loke Thye Kee is also
recall a similar
twist to the
affectionately known as the Love Boat,
charm in our
traditional.
which also refers to its architecture.
MOD also
Local businessman and philanthropist
designed all
Khoo Sian Ewe was the original owner
design for the
LTK Residences,
but with an added
the branding and
contemporary twist
in-room collateral
that would modernise
in order to provide a
the experience and make
holistic experience, ranging
it relevant for living today.”
of the Loke Thye Keebuilding. Khoo was
the richest land owner in Penang in the
early 1900’s and also the landlord and
friend of the Loy family. So when they
from a quirky pillow menu, to a food
needed a new home for their restaurant,
Set in 5 pre-war shophouses
map navigating the area’s street food,
he built and rented to them the iconic
characteristic of Georgetown, Loke
the room service menu, TV menu etc.
ship-inspired building that remained its
Thye Kee Residences complements the
The artwork was specially
Loke Thye Kee restaurant by providing
commissioned for the
5 suites for both long and short-term
project and it reflects
guests. Designed amidst the footprint of
the spirit of historic
the traditional shophouse courtyard and
Penang framed in
alleyway, each of the 5 suites is preluded
a modern way.
home until 1996.
1919 Global purchased
both the Loke Thye
Kee restaurant,
and a series of
5 shophouses
by a lush garden forecourt and an
intimate private balcony. The suites are
The name
furnished with soaring pitch roofs and
Loke Thye Kee
convert those
all suites are well appointed with living
originated from
shophouses into
areas and full facility pantry spaces.
a purpose built
restaurant building
next to it, to
Loke Thye Kee
Residences.
The traditional meets the contemporary
during 1919 inGeorge
on several levels, from the materiality to
Town, Penang. Founded
the spatial experience. Traditional timber
by brothers Loy Kok Boon
hardwood floors are contrasted with
and Loy Kok Dai, the restaurant served
Photographs: CI&A Photography
customized contemporary fixtures that
traditional Hainanese Chinese and
www.modonline.com
are designed to appear as if levitating.
Western Cuisine.