Photo: Cinema Treasures
As with many things, the old is eventually replaced by the new.
In this instance, it’s the Odeon Cinema. This old building is only one of a few standing Art Deco-style buildings in the city, and the development order is in place for it to be torn down to make space for a multi-storey retail and service apartment building.
Photo: Irwan Satria
Kuala Lumpur mayor Datuk Nor Hisham Ahmad Dahlan told The Star, “There was a request that part of the building’s facade with the architectural features be maintained in the new design. We cannot stop the development as it is a private building”.
The developer’s website said that the project will consist of two serviced apartment towers and retail units with a built-up area of 450sq ft to 850sq ft. The space has an indicative price of RM450,000 upwards and is being marketed as a dual-key concept. Moving forward with the times, this development is seen as allowing people to live and earn income from the city.
Photo: SkyScraper City
The distinctive Art Deco style can be characterised by its smooth lines, geometric shapes and streamlined forms. Among other buildings, this cinema was designed by A.O. Coltman, an architect with Booty and Edwards (now BEP Arkitek), and engineer Steen Sehested.
The Odeon Cinema was opened by Cathay Organisation Holdings Ltd back in 1936. It halted ceased operations a number of times before finally closing down permanently in 2015.
Photo: The Star
Badan Warisan Malaysia president Elizabeth Cardosa told The Star that the character of the original building should still be retained and while conservationists are not against development, it is something that should be well-planned and done sympathetically.
She added, “The Odeon Cinema building is one of seven known buildings designed by the same architect during the time he was in Malaya. The main building of the Rubber Research Institute has been gazetted. Any new development should keep its heritage value, in this case architecturally. If the value is in terms of monetary gains, then you are not capturing the integrity and authenticity of the heritage itself”.
Cardosa also said that the redesign should take into account of what surrounded the building, and that the feeling and character of the old building should be translated into the new design so people would know what it used to be.
Regarding arguments that the Odeon Cinema building is privately-owned, Cardosa said the right was granted to them by the local government. “Do we as Kuala Lumpur citizens have no right to our city’s environment? Anyone has the right to develop but with certain constraints set by the city authorities. And if the authorities are neglectful of that, then they are not being mindful. There has to be checks and balances, ” she added.
What are your thoughts on this new development?
By: Celestine Foo
