Many would argue that Kuala Lumpur has an excessive amount of shopping centres and skyscrapers, some of which are iconic. However, there was a time when these buildings did not exist.
Before they became historic and popular tourist destinations, there were once other prominent attractions where they now stand. Here are the things that used to occupy these areas:
1. Petronas Twin Towers
Did you know that the historic Petronas Twin Towers used to be a racehorse track? The Selangor Turf Club was first established in 1896 by colonial administrator, Sir William George Maxwell, long before independence, a time when Malaysia was still known as Malaya.
The club held its last racing event in 1992 before closing down to make way for the development of the Petronas Twin Towers. The racecourse is now located in the Sungai Besi recreation zone in Seri Kembangan.
2. Sungei Wang Plaza
Sungei Wang Plaza is known as the second oldest mall in Malaysia after Ampang Park Mall. Previously, the land used to be the home to Bukit Bintang (BB) Amusement Park. It was an entertainment hub in its prime, but sadly, things changed rapidly after the birth of television, radio and cinemas.
After the demolition of BB Park, construction of the Sungei Wang Plaza began in 1975, and it officially opened its doors to the public two years later in 1977. Today, the shopping centre is home to Mega Star Arena, where countless concerts are held throughout the year.
3. Berjaya Times Square
When one thinks of Berjaya Times Square, the indoor theme park comes to mind. But before the mall and attraction were built, the land was originally the home of millionaire and philanthropist Cheong Yoke Choy before World War II. The house had a large lawn and was used as the Japanese military headquarters during the Japanese occupation. The land was later bought by the Berjaya Group of Tan Sri Vincent Tan for the development of what is now known as Berjaya Times Square.
4. Pavilion KL
Pavilion KL was originally the Bukit Bintang Girls’ School, founded in 1893. It was one of the oldest schools in Kuala Lumpur and aimed to provide education for girls at a time when female education was less common. The school played an important role in promoting gender equality. Before Pavilion KL opened in 2007, the school relocated to Cheras and was renamed Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Seri Bintang Utara.
