Bangunan Wawasan, George Town, Penang

Bangunan Wawasan, George Town, Penang (20 May 2023)


Bangunan Wawasan, previously called Wawasan Open University Regional and Learning Office is a historic building at No. 7, Gat Lebuh China in George Town, Penang. It is one of the properties belonging to the family of early 20th century millionaire Yeap Chor Ee that was handed over for the use of Wawasan Open University. The building in the Art Deco style was built in the 1930s.

Bangunan Wawasan has a rusticated façade. It bears the same architecture style of Khazanah Nasional Building on the other side of Victoria Street, and similar to Wisma Yeap Chor Ee, at the corner of China Street Ghaut with Weld Quay. The university main campus is at 54 Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, the site of Homestead, the main residence of the late Yeap Chor Ee.

7 China Street Ghaut is one of the three buildings along the south side of the street associated with Yeap Chor Ee. The other two are the Ban Hin Lee Bank Building, now occupied by CIMB Bank, and the other is Wisma Yeap Chor Ee, now occupied by the Penang Science Cluster. As of March 2013, Bangunan Wawasan houses the DISTED College School of Hospitality.

Bangunan Wawasan is located at the junction between China Street Ghaut and Victoria Street.

Apart from the university campus, Bangunan Wawasan also once housed the clinic of Drs Allan & Gunstensen (which has since relocated to Bishop Street). The building has been used for various purposes including, most recently, as Babylon Boom Boom, a popular nightspot that has since closed down.

Bangunan Wawasan has a curved frontage between China Street Ghaut and Victoria Street. The façade features rusticated pilasters. On the first floor facing China Street Ghaut is a balcony. The building has recently been restored and repainted in a deep cream with white trimmings.

Bangunan Wawasan is on the Map of Gat Lebuh China, Penang

Bangunan Wawasan, Penang (15 May 2016)


DISTED Hospitality Campus, Bangunan Wawasan (4 January 2009)


Side view of Bangunan Wawasan (28 May 2005)


Bangunan Wawasan (25 June 2006)

Bangunan Wawasan on Google Street View

Bangunan Wawasan George Town, Penang (Jan 2019)

List of Historic Buildings in Penang and Historic Buildings in Malaysia