- Address: 250, Jalan Air Itam, George Town, 10460 George Town, Pulau Pinang
- Phone: +60 4-228 3930
- Website: suffolkhouse.com.my
Near the Malaysian city of Georgetown is located Suffolk House - an ancient house, which is the greatest example of a harmonious combination of British colonial architecture and colorful Asian nature.
History of construction
Suffolk House was the first mansion built by the British colonialists on the island of Penang . The first owner of the luxury house was Francis Light - the founder of the island colony and the city. The magnificent building was built in the second half of the XVIII century. The main material is a bar.
Exterior of the building
The mansion was designed in Georgian style, which is characterized by calm, consistent tones, strict forms. Around the perimeter is surrounded by a well-groomed lawn. The unusual name for the house was chosen by Earl Lite himself: Suffolk House was the place of his birth.
Mansion in different historical periods
After the owner's death, the residence housed the residence of the governors of Penang, later it was used as a government house and a place of mass official receptions. The walls of Suffolk House carefully preserve the history of the British colony, who saw luxurious receptions and intense negotiations of political opponents. In the beginning of XX century. The mansion was handed over to the Methodist church, under the school for boys. During the Second World War Suffolk House became the administration of the Japanese invaders, and after its completion there was a dental clinic, then a school canteen. Because of the frequent change of owners, the building quickly deteriorated, and in 1975 it was recognized as an emergency.
Recovery
Restoration work on the reconstruction of a unique architectural monument was carried out in several stages:
- land transfer;
- examination of the building condition;
- modernization of the building, which ended in 2000.
Costly work was financed by the government of Malaysia . Part of the money was provided by the local historical society and the descendants of Count Francis Light.
Mansion today
Today Suffolk House is an authentic building, restored in stone. It is protected by a non-governmental organization of the architectural heritage of Malaysia and UNESCO. In the old colonial house the life around the former owners was reproduced, there is a cozy restaurant.
How to get there?
You can reach Suffolk-Haus by public transport. The nearest stop is Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan located a couple of hundred meters from the goal. Buses No.102, 203, 502 and various districts of Georgetown arrive here.