The Majestic Penang
This restoration and redesign project continues to build on our belief in the concept of Living Heritage. Together with its sister developments of the Loke Thye Kee Building and the Loke Thye Kee Residences, this enclave will represent the best of the past, the present and the future.
Originally designed and built in 1926, this building still carries the name of its original owner. The four Chinese characters on the front of the building say "Sian Yew's Theatre", pointing to its original owner the philanthropist Khoo Sian Ewe. The Majestic Theatre was considered high tech, it was the first cinema in Penang to show films with sound. It was a popular venue for both the young and old Penangites, with its famous rojak stall at the entrance. The older folk came here to catch the latest Chinese movies from Hong Kong. The young couples came for courting, prefering the back seats row.
The Majestic has brought a lot of fun and excitement to many people in Penang. Datin Seri Irene Yeap tells us that the Majestic Theatre was a popular venue for her husband Dato Seri Stephen Yeap’s grandmother the late Mrs Yeap Chor Yee. She would come to the Majestic theatre with her entourage of companions and maids, picnic baskets and blankets on hand. She was a great fan of Chinese and even Hindi movies, and each outing was a great social event. The Majestic was indeed a popular place. In fact, the entire Penang Road was the theatre row, the West End of George Town, with glitzy lights and neon signboards. Theaters like the Odeon, Capitol and Rex were the centre of Penang's social activities. When we started the restoration of the Majestic, we wanted to retain this important role, of continuing to be the place where people could meet and socialize. We wanted to retain its past heritage, but also set it on track to build a new future.
Today, the Majestic Penang stands for 3 principles: the first, the Past. It is the only true heritage event venue in George Town, and we are working with various partners to make it the must go to place for all visitors to Penang. The Second is the present. I believe that penang people (penang-Lang) have what I call a creative and artistic DNA within them. Many internationally known artists and creatives that I know are actually from Penang. We want to provide a launching pad for Penang's talents to the international stage. The Majestic is a new centre for the performing arts. The Third is the Future. It is important that we continue to grow both the hardware and the heart-ware in Penang. We have a vision of the Majestic Penang and it's immediate surroundings, the Komtar district and the larger George Town, becoming a city campus, a natural training ground for a new generation of Penangites.
To us, the Majestic is not just another heritage building. It is a symbol of Penang's tenacity, its ability to transform from a trading port, to an international marketplace, and a great city. With an eye on the past, the present and the future, we hope that the Majestic Penang will continue to stand strong, to become an icon that will help continue to write George Town's heritage today and into the future.
Originally designed and built in 1926, this building still carries the name of its original owner. The four Chinese characters on the front of the building say "Sian Yew's Theatre", pointing to its original owner the philanthropist Khoo Sian Ewe. The Majestic Theatre was considered high tech, it was the first cinema in Penang to show films with sound. It was a popular venue for both the young and old Penangites, with its famous rojak stall at the entrance. The older folk came here to catch the latest Chinese movies from Hong Kong. The young couples came for courting, prefering the back seats row.
The Majestic has brought a lot of fun and excitement to many people in Penang. Datin Seri Irene Yeap tells us that the Majestic Theatre was a popular venue for her husband Dato Seri Stephen Yeap’s grandmother the late Mrs Yeap Chor Yee. She would come to the Majestic theatre with her entourage of companions and maids, picnic baskets and blankets on hand. She was a great fan of Chinese and even Hindi movies, and each outing was a great social event. The Majestic was indeed a popular place. In fact, the entire Penang Road was the theatre row, the West End of George Town, with glitzy lights and neon signboards. Theaters like the Odeon, Capitol and Rex were the centre of Penang's social activities. When we started the restoration of the Majestic, we wanted to retain this important role, of continuing to be the place where people could meet and socialize. We wanted to retain its past heritage, but also set it on track to build a new future.
Today, the Majestic Penang stands for 3 principles: the first, the Past. It is the only true heritage event venue in George Town, and we are working with various partners to make it the must go to place for all visitors to Penang. The Second is the present. I believe that penang people (penang-Lang) have what I call a creative and artistic DNA within them. Many internationally known artists and creatives that I know are actually from Penang. We want to provide a launching pad for Penang's talents to the international stage. The Majestic is a new centre for the performing arts. The Third is the Future. It is important that we continue to grow both the hardware and the heart-ware in Penang. We have a vision of the Majestic Penang and it's immediate surroundings, the Komtar district and the larger George Town, becoming a city campus, a natural training ground for a new generation of Penangites.
To us, the Majestic is not just another heritage building. It is a symbol of Penang's tenacity, its ability to transform from a trading port, to an international marketplace, and a great city. With an eye on the past, the present and the future, we hope that the Majestic Penang will continue to stand strong, to become an icon that will help continue to write George Town's heritage today and into the future.
