According to the Star news report, the newly restored Straits Collection heritage project in George Town of Penang Island embodies the state government’s principle of “doing as much as possible by changing as little as we can”.
Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng said the private-sector initiative was in line with the state’s “makeover concept” for the Unesco world heritage site.
“You will be surprised how much it can cost to change as little as possible,” he said after visiting the heritage project on Stewart Lane on Thursday.
“The Straits Collection owner, Narelle McMurtrie, has done a good job here.
“There are so many antiques that Penangites should come and see here,” Lim said.
McMurtrie, who is responsible for restoring nine heritage shophouses along Stewart Lane and Armenian Street, said RM7mil was invested in the Straits Collection project.
The Australian, who also runs a successful award-winning restaurant and resort in Langkawi, has lived in Malaysia for the last 24 years.
“The Straits Collection project on Stewart Lane and Armenian Street comprises of boutique hotels, cafes and libraries.
“The architecture of these shophouses is kept virtually untouched and we have housed a lot of original antiques here,” she said.
The four shophouses on Armenian Street and five on Stewart Lane were built in 1850 and 1927, respectively.
“We get lots of kids and their parents coming in to read at our library while enjoying a cup of coffee at the cafe,” she said.
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