Ban Hin Lee Bank building

Ban Hin Lee Bank building
General information
Architectural style	Art Deco
Location	43 Beach Street
Town or city	George Town, Penang
Country	Malaysia
Completed	1938
Design and construction
Architect(s)	Stark and McNeill

The Ban Hin Lee Bank building is situated in Beach Street, George Town, Penang, Malaysia.

History

The building was completed in 1938 by Yeap Chor Ee, business magnate, described at the time as the wealthiest man in Penang.^[1] Having established the first locally owned and managed bank, Ban Hin Lee and Co. (meaning “Ten Thousand Prosperities”) in 1918,^[2] he converted his banking business into a limited liability company in 1935,^[3] and the following year began construction of the bank building on land that he owned at No.43 Beach Street in the heart of the commercial district.^[4]

The building was designed by architect, Ung Ban Hoe of Stark and McNeill, construction was carried out by Ang Hooi Sin, and the cost was $200,000. The doors of the strongroom were imported from England, high-grade cement from Japan, and marble used for the floors. The bank moved into the building in 1938, and the upper floors were let to tenants.^[2]

Description

The four-storey rectangular building, constructed in the Arte Deco style, had a large internal air-well from ground to top floor to provide maximum light and air circulation, and is said to comply with principles of fengshui.^[2]

References

1. "LOCAL BANK TO EXTEND". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 17 September 1935. p. 10.
2. Quah Seng Sun (2020). Ten Thousand Prosperities: The Story of Ban Hin Lee Bank. Entrepot Publishing Sdn Bhd. p. 9. ISBN 9789671700877.
3. "BAN HIN LEE BANK LIMITED". The Straits Budget. 7 November 1935. p. 3.
4. "NEW BAN HIN LEE BANK". Pinang Gazette and Straits Chronicle. 22 July 1938. p. 8.

5°24′58″N 100°20′29″E