Shop Houses this morning in George Town, Penang

Shop Houses in Chuliah Street this morning.

Penang contains in its World Heritage Area an amazing collection of shop houses, inhabited by Chinese, Malay and Indian traders. This style of house was constructed throughout the British Straits Settlements (Penang, Singapore and Malacca) and South East Asia including the Dutch East Indies. It contained a shop on the ground floor facing the street and living accommodation in the 2 or 3 storeys above.

They have undergone something of a renaissance, following destruction in the 70s, 80 and 90s when they were knocked down for high rise developments. A pre WW2 example in George Town Penang will now cost as much a condo in a Kuala Lumpur high rise!