 Thirty Two at the Mansion
32 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah
Thirty Two at the Mansion is an upmarket restaurant along Northam Road. It is housed in the Italian-style seaside villa built by Leong Yin Kean, son of tin magnate Leong Fee (also known as Liang Pi Joo, ca. 1857-1911). The mansion was built in 1926. The architect was Charles Joseph Miller, and it was known back then as Leong Yin Kean's George Town Garden House. It was modelled after the opulent villas in London's Regent's Park. The mansion has a splendid view of the north coast of Penang Island all the way to Tanjong Tokong.
Thirty Two at the Mansion (29 January 2005)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Born with a silver spoon, Leong Yin Kean was privileged to further his studies at Cambridge University. While in Europe, he acquired a taste for European architecture, and began constructing European-style mansions for himself in Penang. Apart from the mansion at No. 32, which cost $250,000 to build, he also owned a few properties on Penang Hill including Tosari and Lausanne bungalows.
Thirty Two at the Mansion Location Map
The Mansion, as the building is popularly called, underwent extensive restoration work in the year 2000 by the company of Datuk Nazir Ariff, a former president of the Penang Heritage Trust. Before the restoration, the mansion had fallen into a state of neglect similar to Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion, before its restoration. Like the latter, it harboured as many as 30 tenants before the mansion was given a full restoration.
Getting there
Take the Rapid Penang Free Shuttle Bus to Station No. 7 (Lebuh Muntri Station), located along Penang Road at the junction of Muntri Street. From there, walk north along Penang Road until junction of Northam Road. Turn left at Northam Road, walk a short distance and you will find Thirty Two at the Mansion on your right.
Thirty Two at the Mansion (29 January 2005)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
Nearby Sights
Thirty Two at the Mansion (23 February 2009)
© Timothy Tye using this photo
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