Cheong Fatt Tze

Cheong Fatt Tze - The Blue Mansion

The quintessential legacy of Penang

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The Beginning

The iconic residence of Cheong Fatt Tze, a prominent Hakka entrepreneur who held numerous prestigious positions, including Chinese Mandarin of the Highest Order and the Qing Government Consul General. This remarkable mansion, commemorating his legacy, epitomises the Chinese Courtyard House, featuring 38 rooms, 5 courtyards, 7 staircases, and 220 windows. Its uniqueness lies in the blend of East and West, with Art Nouveau-stained glass windows, Venetian shutters, Gothic timberworks, Victorian cast ironworks, gold-leafed timber latticework, and Chinese ceramic shard decorations that make it an eclectic blend of Eastern architecture with Western influences. Feng shui principles are intricately woven into every aspect of the mansion, ensuring harmony and prosperity for its owner.

It fell into despair in 1916 after his passing.

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The Restoration

After being sold to architect Laurence Loh and a small group of conservationists, It took six years to restore the mansion through a tedious process to preserve and restore as much of its original fabric and structure. Using both Penang and Chinese artisans and local materials, the principal approach was to retain the mansion with the application of traditional methods, with minimal modern interventions, and with the application of traditional methods to ensure the precise application and usage of original Chinese materials.

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The Boutique Hotel

A pivotal landmark in the heart of George Town’s vibrant heritage area, Cheong Fatt Tze’s The Blue Mansion & The Townhouse Collection is now an award-winning hotel brand managed by the team at The Conscious Collection.

In the words of the character Eleanor Young from Crazy Rich Asians filmed at The Blue Mansion,

“We understand how to build things that last.”

This resonated perfectly with what this brand stands for. Through the restoration of a historic building, and the traditional application methods with minimal modern intervention, it has retained its position as one of the “Top 10 Mansions in the World” and UNESCO’s “Most Excellent Project” for Heritage and Conservation.

By forging unforgettable experiences that stand the test of time, we understand the story behind historical sites and are committed to retaining every thread of the past we can.

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Our Vision

As one of Asia’s most iconic boutique hotel & hospitality brands, we aim to always leave our mark on guests by :

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Creating unique, memorable experiences in hotels and restaurants that are an important part of the cities they are in

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Listening to and delighting guests - one at a time

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Creating meaningful & positive impact for the Penang

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Remaining firmly grounded in our Asian values

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Remaining relevant to guests & visitors across generations

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Accolades

A house of elegance, one of Asia’s most iconic boutique hotel & hospitality brands,
striving in:

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Films

The Blue Mansion is a popular filming location because of its unique architecture and heritage value and has been the set for many a world-class director looking to create a variety of genres, from romantic to suspenseful to comedic.

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Brand Founders

Laurence Loh

A leading conservation architect and cultural heritage expert in Malaysia. Graduated from the Architectural Association in London, he runs the architectural practices of Arkitek LLA Sdn. Bhd. For the past 35 years, he has dedicated his professional life to putting Penang and Malaysia on the World Heritage map through his prominent architectural conservation projects. Best-practice exemplars that received numerous national and international awards include the restoration and adaptive reuse of the worldrenowned Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and the restoration of Merdeka Stadium in Kuala Lumpur. Laurence shares his deep and practical knowledge in conservation as an Associate Professor at the University of Hong Kong. Apart from this, he is a trustee of the Penang Heritage Trust, a Jury Member of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Heritage Awards and a Member of the URA Singapore Architectural Heritage Awards Assessment Committee.

Lin Lee Loh-Lim

A conservationist, restoration consultant and historical researcher. Trained as a social psychologist at the London School of Economics and Political Science, she began her career as a lecturer. Since then, she has been working at Arkitek LLA, providing in-depth views and advice for conservation projects. She serves as a UNESCO consultant, is a member of ICOMOS and is a Duncan Sandys-PATA Scholar for the Conservation Foundation of Britain. Lin Lee also works on conservation research, reports, and assessments to the local authorities. A trainer for guides and a senior council member of the Penang Heritage Trust, she has also cooperated with the State Government to list George Town as a World Heritage Site. Together with her husband Laurence Loh, they restored the Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion and set benchmark for successful heritage conservation in the Asia-Pacific Region.

Shen

A digital and technology veteran with over 25 years experience in leadership roles (most recently at iProperty.com as Country Manager for Malaysia, Frontier Digital Ventures as Director of Growth & Operations and Partner for Business Consulting at Ampersand Advisory), Shen Loh-Lim more recently became involved in Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion. Over the past 6 years, as Managing Director there, he has since helped to transform it into a healthy growth business that returns dividends to its shareholders annually. Shen has a proven track record in leading and operating high-growth businesses that are either profitable or have a clear path to profitability. Today, he is also passionate about helping to level the playing field for independent hotels through best-in-breed marketing, distribution, and revenue management strategies.

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Our Restaurants

Indigo

A culinary haven has been expertly crafted by Chef Jack Yeap, shaping both the restaurant’s menu and dining experience.

Indigo is renowned for seamlessly merging Eastern and Western flavours, achieving a perfect harmony for the ever-evolving culinary palette. The restaurant’s unique setting and innovative cuisine make it a must-visit for anyone looking for a truly memorable culinary experience.

Cafe Mangga

Cafe Mangga is renowned for its beautiful atmosphere that offers comfort food and refreshing drinks, highlighted on our Google Reviews. The courtyard is home to a large mango tree, providing not only pleasant shade but also adding a unique charm to the cafe’s ambience. In the evening, the Mangga garden comes alive with live music.

The Courtyard & The Bar

The Courtyard and bar at the Blue Mansion provide a perfect setting for pre-dinner drinks or late-night snacks. The bar, situated in a beautifully restored 19th-century dining room with preserved architectural details, offers a selection of high-quality beverages, including cocktails, wines, and beers along with a menu of light meals. In the evening, the soothing sounds of the guzheng, traditional Chinese musical instrument, can often be enjoyed in the Courtyard, its gentle melodies create a truly unique dining experience.

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Our Experiences

Choose from our Daily Guided Tours at 11 am and 2 pm, these 45-minute tours, covering the reception hall, courtyard, and second-floor museum. Or explore the mansion at your own pace with our contactless self-guided audio tour. You’ll need earphones and a smartphone, with access from 11 am to 6 pm daily for in-person visits, available even off-site.