In partnership with the hotel’s Singapore-based Founders Javier Perez and Justin Chen, local design firm Studio Bikin developed an adaptive reuse plan for Else Kuala Lumpur.
In 1930, the Lee Rubber Building reached the height of 45 storeys, making it the tallest structure in Kuala Lumpur. Thousands of skyscrapers have risen around it since then, dwarfing the building. The grey-facade building was designed by British architect Arthur Oakley Coltman of Booty Edwards & Partners (now BEP Akitek).
On the first floor, guests will find a coffee table filled with antiques and cultural curiosities. There are more unique pieces found on the hotel’s shelves, nooks, and corners as well.
Perez, Co-Founder of Else Kuala Lumpur, says the hotel’s interior design concept is eclectic and organic, which is why it stands out. “So it’s about what resonates with us, what we like from a design, art or collection standpoint.”
According to Perez, the overall goal is to provide guests with a totally different experience. “KL is very interesting because when we look at hotels, the majority of travellers that you actually cater to are business travellers, and that’s already a segment on its own.”
“So we have to kind of tap into that business segment traveller as well and who is that business traveller that then wants a different experience, and who does not necessarily need to stay in the bigger chain hotels.”
