Poor Shophouse at Hume Street

Despite poor maintenance, these shop houses at Hume Street had been further destroy by fire. As I thought it may at least survived as a billboard carrier even without any occupant, it seems luck isn't on its side. Demolition is the most unwanted thing should happened on this century-old building, but I am not optimistic of its survival.

New Face of Hume Street

Without realizing that time passes so fast, demolition of the pre-war building at Hume Street has been occurring 2 years ago. The new shophouses at the same location are almost completed that appear as new face of eastern Hume Street. Although this is a completely reconstructed building, it's architecture which replicating colonial-era shophouse is well integrated to the neighbourhood. The choice of grey-scale color for the exterior also helps to preserve the appearance of New Town like a heritage district.

An Old Shophouse, A Billboard Stand

Most of us do not remember these shophouses which located right behind the previous Rex cinema. During my youngster time when the cinema was still operating, one of these shophouses used to be a motorcycle parking. However since the closure of Rex cinema, the shophouses also lost its purpose in the middle of downtown & has been vacant for long time, as seen in an earlier post on November 2012. Looking at its poor condition, I always worry someone will demolish it for new development, just like the row of shop adjacent to it. However, despite feeling sad to see the shophouses are now only utilized as a platform for billboard, at least it will survive for some years. Hopefully one day in near future someone realize the value of this heritage building will endue it new life.

 

Wall Art of Ipoh

The street art of wall painting that brought in by a Lithuanian artist, Ernest Zacharevic has become popular in Penang, it also emerges in Ipoh since few months ago. Paintings on the wall created by local artist appear at back lane of Hugh Low Street and Hume Street, the block nearby Kinta River. The paintings are mainly illustrating local culture and history, such as folk dances, tin mining, traditional games and so on.

 

So happen that there is an art exhibition held by art studio at the back lane and had attracted quite a number of visitors. Apart from the wall painting, the studio also present many student art works and it certainly keeps the visitors' camera busy for capturing the masterpiece. It did not stop the people from attending this exhibition despite the warm weather in this afternoon.

 

I believe this street art will continue to proliferate to other streets in the city. I am also hoping there will be more talented artist from either local or overseas could embellish the city by putting up more beautiful paintings which would be an add-on tourist spot and could enhance the cultural development of Ipoh.

 



The Damage Has Started

Just less than a month ago, I predicted the devastating fate of this block of Hume Street shophouse and the damage seems started for few days, where the upper floor of first three units has already gone. These shophouses indeed stored my childhood memory about daddy bringing grandpa & I to the barber shop (the second unit) for hair cutting. I still remember there was always a monophonic radio playing old songs at the adjacent shop. Those days are now far behind in my life journey and after the building demolition, this part of the history becomes completely non visualized.

 

Before It Vanishes

A similar photo was taken on this block of shop house at Hume Street in February 2010. However, the situation is completely different now, especially after the disaster occurred on July 9, 2012. First three shop houses were caught in fire & damaged at different level. As there is already no occupant & considering safety of pedestrian, the entire block is quarantined. Under such circumstances, these shop houses are in high risk of being torn down. I am very reluctant to see this happen but situation is really not optimistic. Learning from my past experience, I know I shall capture images of it before it vanishes.
 

Vanishing from Hume Street

Perhaps many of Ipoh citizens do not aware of the demolition of an old shop house at Hume Street recently. This corner unit was left vacant for quite some time and finally bite the dust. The site is excavated until the foundation of adjacent building is exposed. It looks like being prepared for a new construction soon.
 

Gone With The Fire

You may remember a photo captured at Feb 2010 on these old shop houses, which seen most of it remained at its original appearance. Unfortunately, three of these shops were caught in great fire recently & seriously damaged. The vacant buildings are now facing tougher future, where it could be demolished for reconstruction. I certainly not willing to hear this bad news while hoping the owners can do something to safe them.

Silent Corridor

This corridor at Hume Street used to be busy while many of the shops were still operating. When I was young, dad always bring me & sometimes grandfather to a traditional barber shop over here for hair cut. The shop was so simple where it remained like the condition during early 20th century. I could always listen the old songs played from radio at neighbouring shops. Many shops are closed nowadays and the barber has passed away years ago. Today, the corridor is silent & I hear no more old songs from the radio, but I can hear it in my mind.

Hume Street Old Shops

At upper Hume Street, a row of old shop houses remain untouched and appeared in a uniform colour of white. Anyway, I believe the reason of these shops being not commercially popular is because of there are few funeral parlors just opposite to them. And therefore Hume Street is, in fact, given a nick name as coffin street.

Sunset at Panglima Kinta Mosque

A peaceful nightfall at Panglima Kinta Mosque, Hume Street. Although this should be a exciting weekend night, I can only hear from the birds over here.

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Coffee Shop Keepers Association

For years, many Chinese in Malaysia are running business in small skill. Each kind would have its own association to coordinate & maintain the benefit & welfare of members. There are associations of hawkers, taxi drivers, butchers, tailors, school bus service, etc. This association of coffee shop keepers is something not in my mind but it is, in fact, one of the most popular small businesses in Malaysia. Most of these associations were formed about 30~40 years ago, where the economy growth began to pick up in this country.

Wall

May be due to the isolated location in town, this wall remains its original condition while many other blank walls in town are occupied by advertisement boards. Anyway the wall gives the feel like living in 1940’s.

Limited Treasure

Decoration on this shop house is quite commonly seen in old streets of Penang, Malacca and Singapore. It displays the typical architecture of South East Asia during the colonial age. However, this is rarely found in Ipoh. Even there are some but many are missing or at poor condition.

Panglima Kinta Mosque

At one end of Hume Street (Jalan Mesjid) that close to the Kinta River bank, stood an old mosque, Panglima Kinta Mosque. This was owned by a local general during the early age of township establishment. The mosque is not easily found from main streets in New Town because it is located at a quite isolated end of Hume Street. This historical mosque is well preserved & displaying typical 19th century local Islamic architecture. Due to the isolated location, the surrounding does not changed much and I feel like walking in the past. I will, for sure, capture more images at Hume Street to share in the future.

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