Voco Kuching: The New Landmark Shaping Kuching’s Future

Before becoming voco Kuching, the property was known as the Century Hotel and later Four Points by Sheraton. It has now been given a decidedly different second act by Sarawakian developer Elica Equity. The project takes an adaptive approach to the existing structure, preserving a familiar part of Kuching’s landscape while restoring its identity. Dato Bobby Ting Sie Ching, managing director of Elica Equity, said: “Many people saw an ageing hotel whose best years had already passed. We saw something different; we saw opportunity.”

Designed by award-winning hospitality studio SL+A Hotels, voco Kuching draws from Sarawak’s cultural language through natural materials and earthy tones, translating the region’s heritage into spaces that feel modern and quietly assured. Neuman Studio and One Design Office have also enveloped the original exterior in a contemporary architectural screen, giving the structure a sharper silhouette. The effect is less about spectacle and more about reinvention: a nostalgic landmark given a fresh start.

The Malaysian debut of voco is significant for IHG, which counts the brand among its fastest-growing premium offerings. Its appeal lies in its ability to avoid feeling formulaic. Rajit Sukumaran, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, East Asia & Pacific, IHG Hotels & Resorts, explained that there was a “genuine passion to create something that would contribute meaningfully to Kuching and to Sarawak”, a philosophy that has already translated into results. Since opening, voco Kuching has welcomed more than 1,200 delegates attending international events from six countries. Its arrival strengthens Kuching’s growing position as a destination for business and tourism, prompting Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg to describe Wisma Elica as a “statement of confidence in Kuching, in Sarawak, and in our future.”

Then there is Care Collective, the quieter half of Wisma Elica. Bringing together independent living, assisted care, wellness facilities, and community spaces in what it describes as a ‘village under one roof’, the development proposes a different vision of senior living, one where ageing is viewed not as a shortcoming but as a new chapter. As YB Dato’ Sri Hajah Nancy binti Shukri, Minister of Women, Family and Community Development, noted, older Malaysians deserve “dignity, purpose, and genuine choices” in how they live. Together, the two developments offer an unusually expansive definition of hospitality, extending from the traveller passing through to the resident putting down roots.

Ultimately, Wisma Elica’s significance lies in the breadth of its ambition. The development represents a broader investment in Kuching’s future, strengthening the city’s hospitality and tourism sectors while introducing new possibilities for senior living and wellness. Add the launch of Sarawak’s first Tesla Destination Charging Hub at the hotel, and the development begins to look like something larger: a meeting point between hospitality and future-facing infrastructure.