In George Town, Penang, there are numerous colonial and Straits Chinese buildings that have been transformed into charming boutique accommodations that offer truly unique stays. A key figure in popularising this movement of heritage conservation is Chris Ong, renowned for his work on iconic properties such as Seven Terraces Hotel and Muntri Mews. Following the successful restoration of the Jawi Peranakan Mansion, Ong took a seven-year hiatus from new projects. Now, he returns with a bold new vision: Argus Residence, the latest addition to the Georgetown Heritage Hotels portfolio, which is also a short walk from Seven Terraces Hotel.
As a teenager, Ong used to walk along Argus Lane, behind the Church of the Assumption, to get to his secondary school, St. Xavier’s Institution. Young Chris probably never imagined that he would one day transform five of the houses there and breathe new life into them. “The first two houses were built in 1928 in the Arts and Crafts style by the church. There was a big congregation of Eurasians in the community, and those who needed support from the church were allowed to reside here,” Ong explains. “Many of the families, such as the Scullys, Carters, and de Souzas, lived here for up to 100 years, and the last resident passed away several years ago. There are a lot of memories and history in these houses.”
The houses were in a state of dilapidation before Ong leased them in 2024. “We put in around one and a half to two million ringgit to restore these places over the course of a year,” he says. “It’s a chance for us to give back to the community. Stays here are affordable but also give you a sense of experiencing history and heritage. My style of restoration is to do very minimal intervention but reimagine how modern families would use it.”
Colin Yap, general manager of George Town Heritage Hotels, helped Ong to execute Ong’s vision. “All five houses have been given a fresh coat of paint, Mini Copper, a breathable paint for heritage homes. It was one of the colours originally painted on the building, and I was told it was also the colour of the Church of the Assumption,” Yap says. A warm, buttery yellow is accompanied by a white trim that highlights architectural elements such as window frames, pillars, and decorative mouldings, creating a bright contrast against the yellow façade.
Unlike Ong’s other properties, which bear strong Peranakan influences, he has imbued elegance into every corner of the houses with items from the West. “This is a genre I’ve never done. I threw myself into the entire project, and I love the whole process of creating,” he says. “I stepped out of my comfort zone as this project has a strong colour scheme.”
A Close Look At The House’s Fittings
Each house has its own distinct charm and fittings. At number 12, the expansive living area includes an Edwardian sideboard from the turn of the 20th century, Russian tea kettles, and William Morris curtains. In the downstairs bathroom, water emits from a lion’s mouth (previously an ornate door knocker) into a clawfoot bathtub.
“During my seven-year break, I was busy upcycling remnants of furniture into beautiful decorative items,” Ong says. “I also worked on my book, The Chris Ong Collection, which is a pictorial documentation of my extensive private collection of Peranakan porcelain and ceramics.” His personal carpenter, Ah Lai, who works in a workshop just around the corner from Argus Residences, crafted stunning collages and mirrors from 19th-century antique wood carvings. These pieces, made from salvaged remnants, have the appearance of genuine antiques.
“The house spans around 2,000 sq ft of living space and can comfortably accommodate up to six people. We have a four-poster bed and two single sofa beds, which are ideal for children travelling with parents or even for adults travelling together,” Ong says. “In this spacious bedroom, I wanted to create a more contemporary and zen-like atmosphere. The ground floor has a more traditional feel and includes a small kitchenette, perfect for long-term stays. There’s also a sofa bed and a separate bathroom on this level.
“Music has always been a big part of the Eurasian community, so we’ve also included a retro-style music player,” Ong continues. “I love sourcing locally because you can find beautiful things here, and we’ve included a writing desk designed in Jawi, Penang, by a company called HinLim. I’ve incorporated British Colonial Indian archways from my personal collection to add character and history.”
Although it’s just steps away from the vibrant nightlife of Love Lane, Argus Lane is peaceful and tranquil. Guests can also enjoy added conveniences such as in-room dining from Georgetown Heritage Hotel’s restaurants nearby.
“The biggest challenge of this project was how much it cost, because the price of manual labour has gone up significantly through the years,” Ong says. “Another was to keep the integrity of the buildings. But we brought some of the former residents back, and they were very pleased and surprised by what we’ve done here.”
Photography by Law Soo Phye
