PAM Centre - Chow Kit's house

The PAM Centre at 4 & 6 Jalan Tangsi, Kuala Lumpur, is now the home to the Institute of Architects Malaysia, Pertubuhan Akitek Malaysia .

The mansion was originally built in 1907 by prominent businessman and municipal councillor, Loke Chow Kit.

In 1903 Loke Chow Kit went to the UK & Europe with his cousin Loke Yew, and was influenced by the architecture there. When he returned to KL in 1907 he built this sprawling mansion, although he already had his main home in Ampang. In those days Loke Hall was a prominent building, with the Selangor Club opposite and the railway station nearby. It was a unified part of Dataran Merdeka. The only traffic was bullock carts and horses, and stables were built next to the mansion to house Chow Kit's horses -

In 1909 the house was sold to private investors, and became the Empire Hotel. In 1919 after Loke Chow Kit’s death, his son bought it back, but it was again sold and became the Peninsula Hotel. It closed in 1973 as by then other hotels were appearing, e.g. Federal 1957. The government then acquired it and DBKL owns it today. PAM occupies it and takes care of the maintenance.

end of main block (above and below)

The building is cooled due to cross ventilation, and thick stone walls. Also there were less interior walls originally. Floor design -

The general floor plan is typical of houses of the time with the large airy anjung, or open verandah. There is an inner courtyard -

upper level

courtyard wall

roof tiles

Outer courtyard, orange and green paint on courrugated roof give a nice light

There are two wings. Outside there is a courtyard between the main block and the annexe. The outer courtyard -

Annexe

The rooms in the main block were more expensive than the annexe. The annexe is now occupied and rented by a private gallery. There is also a restaurant (closed at weekends). The annexe has wrought iron grilles, simplified baroque balcony in Regency style -

modern drain pipe

window shutters

The building next door is neglected

See more on PAM.

© Liz Price
No reproduction without permission