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Mind, it was a business of significance
as indicated by its prestigious address of
P.O. Box 1, George Town.
These fascinating facts, among others,
motivated us to take over the property.
Without a compelling story, Ren I-Tang
would just be an ordinary structure.
The amount of repair work required in
restoring the shophouses?
Eu:
The entire shophouses were re-
plastered, and the flooring, windows,
rooftops repaired to reflect their original
styles. These were done according to
the local heritage board’s requirements.
Was there any reference material for
the restoration process?
Low:
Some old photos were referred
to for the restoration, thought it was a
difficult process. We’d also dealt with
many organisations to obtain the proper
permits, approvals and hotel license.
These included the state and fed-
eral governmental departments, NGOs,
George Town World Heritage Inc – an
organisation dedicated to preserving and
promoting George Town as a sustainable
city, and Think City – an urban rejuvena-
tion organisation striving to increase
the communities’ wellbeing by creating
more sustainable and livable cities.
How meticulous was the restoration
process?
Low:
All elements of the shophouses
were salvageable, but with new wiring,
plumbing, drainage and fire deterrents
installed. Duralite – a locally-made
green product that’s fire resistant – was
added to the interior’s ceilings, for safety
purposes.
The meticulous restoration utilised
the old masonry methods. For instance,
a mixture of lime mortar, plaster and
lime wash was applied on the walls,
instead of cement and concrete which
are commonly used today.
Certain parts of the air well system,
which disintegrated with the passing of
time, have been repaired as well. Overall,
80 percent of the buildings’ original
materials were recycled, from the old
timbers found in the interior and Chinese
roof v-tiles to the fittings and furniture.
Only the hotel rooms and toilets are
current additions.
The source for materials to replace the
unsalvageable ones …
Low:
We sourced from recycled timber
yards, and antique stores to replace the
distinctive doors and other fittings found
at the hotel.
Were qualified construction workers
employed to restore the old shophouses?
Eu:
They’re qualified, especially after
having restored several other old build-
ings prior to ours. It’s nowmore difficult
to find such highly skilled workers, un-
like five years ago when the restoration
of the shophouses began.
In fact, many old properties in Pen-
ang have never undergone a thorough
restoration process. The old methods for
the restoration aren’t used either, as it’s
a time-consuming process.
Are termites and ants also a major issue
here?
Low:
Pest control is vital and conducted
monthly for the hotel’s upkeep, so we are
keeping on top of that.
Did the restoration of the old shophouses
contribute to the gentrification of the
nearby areas around the hotel?
Low:
No, it didn’t contribute to the
area’s gentrification. It’s important for
Ren I-Tang to function alongside the
community and not only as a business
– to ensure the streets of George Town
continue thriving.
The hotel contributes to the com-
munity by sourcing fresh produce and
other necessities from nearby shops and
wet markets. This reduces our carbon
footprint, apart from benefiting the
diverse enterprises near the hotel.
This hotel once housed the
oldest Chinese medical hall
wholesaler in Southeast Asia
A real old-school feel
to the coffee shop
This hotel