Hock Bee Brothers Building revitalised with Ms. Elliot Café

Nestled on Kuantan‘s Jalan Besar, the Hock Bee Brothers Building stands as a testament to architectural history, gracing the town for over 50 years.

The landmark now hosts Ms. Elliot, a café restaurant paying homage to its rich history while providing a vibrant space for the local community.

The restoration work by Jujurwork carefully preserves the building’s character, transforming the original office into a sculptural reception and coffee bar.

Preserving heritage through design

The Hock Bee Brothers Building, composed of two pre-war shop lots, boasts a distinctive 40-foot-wide front facade, intricately woven into the town’s multicultural heritage.

Jujurwork’s intervention focused on maintaining the building’s original charm, with a unique approach to adaptive reuse and creative expression.

Ms. Elliot café, occupying the ground and mezzanine floors, becomes a vibrant hub for the local community.

Minimal intervention allows the structure’s historical integrity to shine, and the renovation includes a multi-layered onyx installation reflecting the rhythmic design of the building’s front facade.

Preservation of Hock Bee Brothers Building

The wide facade of the Hock Bee Brothers Building features five recessed bays, separated by vertical fins, adorned with geometric prisms serving practical and aesthetic functions.

Preservation efforts ensure the retention of the iconic Hock Bee Bros. signage and refurbished art deco windows, creating an Instagram-worthy entry through prismatic maroon doors.

Inside, two new entryway walls introduce spatial symmetry, guiding visitors to ground-floor dining rooms and the mezzanine floor.

The original 1960s mosaic floor, the iconic red wooden plaque, and restored wood louvers serve as nods to the building’s history. The renovation also introduces skylights and hanging light tubes, creating an intimate yet airy atmosphere.

Jujurwork’s transformation of the Hock Bee Brothers Building liberates the space, converting former offices into cozy dining booths and introducing two skylights for natural light.

The project harmoniously merges preservation and innovation, allowing guests to dine amidst historic charm and contemporary design.

Ms. Elliot café, with its unique blend of history and creativity, stands as a testament to the enduring beauty of architectural heritage and the vibrant future it can inspire.