The hidden challenge behind restoring heritage buildings

The former Odeon cinema building in George Town was mostly destroyed in a fire on Saturday night. (Bernama pic) GEORGE TOWN: Long before streaming services and multiplexes transformed the way people watched movies, the Odeon Cinema was a familiar part of Penang's cultural landscape. Originally known as Theatre Royal before later becoming King's Theatre and eventually Odeon Cinema, the building welcomed generations of cinemagoers through its doors. Over the decades, it screened everything from Hollywood classics and Chinese-language films to Hong Kong action blockbusters and Indian movies, becoming one of the state's most recognisable entertainment venues. Today, the building is in the centre of a different conversation.

A recent fire during renovation works has brought renewed attention to a challenge facing many historic properties across Malaysia: how to preserve heritage buildings while ensuring they remain safe for modern use. The blaze, which broke out on Saturday in the former Odeon building on Jalan Penang, claimed the life of a 56-year-old Myanmar construction worker. The premises, last used as an entertainment outlet, was undergoing renovation to be converted into a restaurant. For Penang fire and rescue department (JBPM) director Shoki Hamzah, the incident serves as a reminder that adapting old buildings often requires more than cosmetic restoration.

Shoki Hamzah. “Based on observations and JBPM's experience, the fire risk in old buildings is not solely due to the age of the structure," he said. "What is more concerning is when these buildings have undergone various renovations and changes in use without the necessary improvements to fire-safety measures." Across Malaysia, historic shophouses, warehouses, cinemas and colonial-era buildings have increasingly found new life as boutique hotels, cafés, restaurants and other lifestyle destinations. Such projects help preserve architectural heritage and keep historic districts vibrant. Shoki noted, however, that changing a building's function can also introduce new risks if safety measures are not upgraded accordingly.

For instance, a building originally designed to accommodate one type of activity may later attract larger crowds, increasing the need for reliable fire-detection systems, emergency exits and evacuation plans. He said among the most common issues identified during inspections are blocked emergency exits, faulty emergency doors, ageing electrical wiring, and poorly maintained fire-safety equipment. “In a fire situation, just a few seconds can determine whether a person manages to escape safely,” he said. For heritage cities such as George Town, balancing conservation with modern safety standards can be particularly challenging. Historic buildings often come with preservation guidelines intended to protect their original character and architectural features.

Penang's colonial-era buildings - such as the old Malayan Railway Building, which will become a boutique hotel - have increasingly found new life as lifestyle destinations. Yet fire safety, Shoki stressed, must remain a priority. He therefore encourages owners of old and heritage buildings to conduct regular inspections of electrical systems, maintain safety equipment, and review emergency response plans, particularly for premises frequented by the public. Awareness among building owners has improved over the years, he added, but further attention is still needed in areas such as early fire-detection systems, emergency-exit management and fire drills.

The former Odeon Cinema itself has witnessed more than a century of change. After undergoing extensive modernisation in 1940, it reopened with advanced screening technology and air-conditioning that were considered state of the art at the time. It continued operating until July 31, 2014, marking the end of an era for one of Malaysia's last single-screen cinemas dedicated to Indian films. “Heritage buildings are assets with significant historical and cultural value,” Shoki concluded, "but fire-safety considerations must not be neglected or compromised in efforts to preserve them.”