How A Singaporean Dermatologist Created A Haven Of Quiet Luxury in Penang

Dr Angeline Yong is an accomplished Singaporean dermatologist who graduated with two gold medals from the National University of Singapore, earned a Master of Public Health from Harvard University, and runs her own private practice. In addition to her impressive array of professional credentials, awards, honours—and being a mother of two—Yong has another unexpected business: restoring heritage buildings to their former glory and running them as boutique hotels. She is the mind behind the Lotus Villa in Luang Prabang, Laos, as well as Noordin Mews and 88 Armenian in George Town, Penang.

The latter is located on Armenian Street, an early Straits Eclectic-style building that sits near vibrant street art, elaborately ornamented temples, and trendy cafés. Walk along the busy street, and you just might miss 88 Armenian, its discreet signage and white-walled façade quietly housing one of the island’s most tasteful and refined boutique stays. As Yong is not local, one might wonder why she restores heritage buildings outside of her home country. “As someone who travels frequently, I’ve seen how easily cities can lose their character when heritage buildings are neglected or replaced,” Yong explains. “What makes George Town special is its layered history—Malay, Chinese, Indian, Armenian, and European influences existing side by side within the same streets. Continuing to champion Penang is my small way of honouring that heritage and keeping it alive for the next generation of travellers, while remaining meaningfully connected to the local community that shapes and sustains this place.”

The building’s history dates back to the 19th century, when it acted as a lodging house for enterprising Armenian traders, but would later be occupied by Chinese migrants. Here, they opened copper and brass businesses, which flourished on the street. Today, it is still referred to as ‘phak thang-ah kei’, or ‘Coppersmith Street’ in Hokkien. “This history subtly informs our use of copper throughout the interiors. In traditional shophouse architecture, the air well is the ‘lung’ of the building, allowing light and air to flow naturally,” Yong says. “At 88 Armenian, we reopened and celebrated this space, allowing it to reclaim its role as the heart of the house. Suspended within the air well is a dramatic copper light installation that cascades through the building. It is both a contemporary artwork and a quiet reference to our location’s history. With 88 Armenian, it was important that the hotel could not exist anywhere else. Every decision—from materials to spatial planning—was grounded in the context of Armenian Street and its history.”

The six distinct rooms are also named after renowned coppersmiths, such as Auguste Rodin, Paul Revere, and Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. “With only six suites, the experience is intentionally intimate and quiet—more like staying in a thoughtfully designed private residence than a conventional hotel,” Yong adds. “Each is designed in a calm, contemporary palette. We consciously avoided excessive antiques or colonial pastiche, so that the architecture, proportions, and natural light could take centre stage.” Her discerning taste also shines through each of the carefully selected amenities in the rooms, including the complimentary eight-piece Aesop travel set, Gessi spa shower, Simmons super king-sized beds, and Bang & Olufsen Bluetooth speaker.

“Service is where my background as a dermatologist subtly influences the experience. I believe in personalised, attentive care, and that philosophy carries through everything we do—from curating locally sourced minibar items to our signature bath butler service (guests can order complimentary bath salts with tea to be delivered to their room),” Yong remarks. “The aim has always been to offer modern luxury that feels calm, thoughtful, and deeply restorative.”

88 Armenian also features exposed original brick walls, rehabilitated wooden doors emblazoned with Chinese calligraphy, and charred timber along the ground floor where its restaurant Tóng is located. The latter is treated using a traditional Japanese wood preservation process known as yakisugi (焼杉), a method used to weather-proof the original wood panels by charring with fire. “Given that the building once experienced a fire, this material choice felt symbolic—turning a past vulnerability into a form of protection,” Yong reveals.

Together, these elements reflect her philosophy of restoration: honouring the past while allowing historic spaces to evolve and remain alive within the modern city.

Were there any surprising challenges during the renovation of this heritage property?

There were many challenges, both expected and unexpected. The project took close to five years, from initial research and approvals to completion. Working with a narrow, deep shophouse that had experienced structural damage required extensive reinforcement, all while adhering to strict heritage guidelines.

Every intervention—installing modern bathrooms, running new services, or integrating contemporary technology—had to be carefully evaluated to ensure the original fabric of the building was respected. We worked closely with the heritage authorities, and relied on approved materials and methods throughout the process.

Perhaps the greatest challenge was achieving balance. Today’s guests expect generous bathrooms, excellent water pressure, air-conditioning, and smart technology—features that historic shophouses were never designed to accommodate. Integrating all of this without compromising spatial harmony required patience and creativity. In many ways, those constraints ultimately shaped the hotel’s quiet, considered character.

What inspired the creation of Tóng, and how did the idea first take shape?

Tóng was inspired by the original character of the building, and the layers of migration and cultural exchange that shaped this part of George Town. Historically, the building functioned as a lodging house for Chinese migrants transiting through Penang, and that sense of movement, memory, and Chinese heritage felt like a natural starting point for the restaurant.

The cuisine draws from Malaysian Chinese flavours, expressed through modern cooking techniques while remaining grounded in traditional Chinese elements such as wok hei and claypot preparations, alongside the use of local aromatics. Rather than replicating classic dishes, Tóng reinterprets familiar flavours in a contemporary way—much like how the building itself has been restored: respectful of its origins, yet designed for modern living.
The intention was for Tóng to extend the story of 88 Armenian through food and hospitality, rather than being positioned as a standalone restaurant.

88 Armenian