Ms. Elliot at Hock Bee
Type: Restaurant, Café, Interior Design, Adaptive Reuse
Location: Kuantan, Malaysia
The Hock Bee Brothers Building in Kuantan, Malaysia, has been a cherished architectural gem for over 50 years, blending unique design with historical significance in the town's multicultural context. Recently, Ms. Elliot café opened on its ground and mezzanine floors, preserving the building's character and paying homage to its history.
The café's centerpiece is a reception coffee bar featuring onyx tiles discovered in a nearby stone yard, emphasizing sustainability and a connection to the past. The bar's design mirrors the rhythmic cues of the building's front façade, creating a sculptural and spatial experience with custom pendant lights inspired by the original prismatic windows.
Maintaining the building's historical integrity, the renovation retains the original mosaic floor, the Chinese plaque, and wood louvers. Entryway walls enhance spatial symmetry, leading to dining spaces and cozy booths. Skylights introduce natural light into a double-height dining hall, while vintage wood panels on the mezzanine create private gathering spaces.
The exterior retains the original Hock Bee Bros. signage and refurbished art deco windows. Ms. Elliot at Hock Bee aims to be more than a café, aspiring to be a cultural hub celebrating Kuantan's diverse heritage. It symbolizes the town's enduring spirit and commitment to preserving its cultural identity amid growth and change.
Photos by David Yeow Photography.
News
Ms. Elliot at Hock Bee was nominated for the Building of the Year 2024 on Archdaily.com! Thank you for the support to help fuel our commitment to better our regional architectural identity!
Publication Links
Press
Harper’s Bazaar Malaysia June/July 2024.
