Erected at the intersection of Jalan Tun Perak and Jalan Melaka stands the Oriental Building. It is an Art Deco masterpiece in Kuala Lumpur.
Let’s explore its history. The Art Deco style gained popularity in the 1930s. Building owners in Malaya favored it then. Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Ipoh saw many Art Deco buildings.
The Oriental Building is one of Kuala Lumpur’s largest Art Deco buildings. The Central Market is another one. In 1931, The Straits Times reported on a “Big building for Kuala Lumpur.” The Oriental Building would be five storeys. It would stand 82ft tall. It would become Kuala Lumpur’s tallest building. The Oriental Building would change the city’s skyline. It would add liveliness to the commercial center. The Great Depression had stagnated the city.
The Oriental Building was built for the Oriental Government Security Life Assurance Company. Gammon Malaya Ltd. constructed it. Messrs. Booty and Edwards were its architects. Mr. Steen Sehested oversaw the concrete work. Arthur Oakley Coltman designed this handsome building. He worked as a manager for Messrs. Booty & Edwards. The Oriental Building sits on the corner of Java Street now Jalan Tun Perak. It also sits on Malacca Street now Jalan Melaka.
The Straits Times reported in 1932 that the Oriental Building was ready. The title was “Tallest building in Kuala Lumpur.” It was the insurance company’s new headquarters. The British Resident of Selangor Mr. T.S. Adams officially opened it.
The Oriental Building housed the Malayan headquarters of the Oriental Life Assurance Company Ltd. It stood in central Kuala Lumpur. Its white and grey tones made it an impressive symbol. It symbolized the city’s commercial life. The building commanded a majestic view. It stood 85 feet above the pavement. It was the tallest building in Kuala Lumpur then. The building is triangular. It covers 5,000 square feet. It has a curved facade of 123 feet. The Oriental Life Assurance Company Ltd. occupied the entire third floor. This covered 3,310 square feet.
Mr. Steen Sehested designed the reinforced concrete frame with brick panelling. The exterior used grey and white plaster. Local small stones and cement were used. No sand was used. The ground floor was self-contained. It included a shop, godown, and basement. The basement was rat-proof. Doors could be fitted to prevent flooding.
Tiles made in England decorated the staircases and passages. Italian tiles covered the office floors. Tall, slim windows characterize the Art Deco style. Contrasting materials emphasize color and texture. A white frieze displays interlocking coins or discs. This frames the exterior panel. Two tower-like pylons flank it. Projecting wall panels between the slim windows are stepped. This creates depth. Stepped pilasters begin at the 3rd floor. They flank the windows. Sharp, clean lines beam from the archway. This suggests a sunburst motif.
In its earliest years, the Oriental Building changed Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. The city was still fledgling in the early 1930s.
Today, Merdeka 118 is the city’s tallest building. It stands at 678.9 meters tall. It has 118 storeys.
The Oriental Building later housed Radio Malaya. It also housed the offices of the Oriental Life Assurance Company. The imposing façade of the Oriental Building remains. “Radio Malaya” was once displayed in large letters on its façade. Although granted heritage status, the building has remained vacant for some time. Arthur Oakley Coltman also designed the Anglo-Oriental Building. They were both built in the Art Deco style.
The Oriental Building is a reminder of Kuala Lumpur’s rich history.