Ipoh Town Hall to transform into performing arts centre

The Ipoh Town Hall, a historic 108-year-old building located in the heart of the city, is set to be revitalised into a state-of-the-art performing arts centre by early next year.

This iconic white colonial-style building, which once served as a British administrative centre in the early 1917s, has a seating capacity of up to 600 people.

A new chapter for Ipoh Town Hall

The Ipoh Town Hall renovation is part of the Ipoh Heritage Tourism (IHT) initiative, overseen by the Ipoh City Council (MBI).

The aim is to preserve and breathe new life into the city’s heritage buildings.

Ipoh mayor Datuk Rumaizi Baharin shared details about the project, which is funded by the Northern Corridor Implementation Authority at a cost of over RM11 million.

“This project is a continuation of IHT Package 1A, which involved development at Ipoh Padang, and Package 1B, involving the upgrading of Kinta Riverwalk, completed on March 8, 2022,” Rumaizi said.

“For the IHT Package 2 project, conservation work began on Nov 21, 2022, and was fully completed on May 20 this year. We expect to open this facility to the public early next year.”

The project focuses on restoring the Ipoh Town Hall’s architecture and structural elements, as well as its electrical, mechanical, audiovisual systems, and landscaping.

The adjoining old post office is also being restored and will become an art gallery, adding another cultural dimension to the site.

Boosting culture and economy in Ipoh

The new performing arts centre aligns with Ipoh’s designation as a “City of Music” by UNESCO’s Creative Cities Network (UCCN).

Rumaizi highlighted the potential benefits of this transformation for the local arts scene and economy.

“Once the Centre of Performing Arts, housed in the restored Ipoh Town Hall building, is ready, artistes can look forward to holding their concerts and cultural or theatre performances there,” he said.

“This way, we can also generate revenue by charging reasonable rentals for the use of our facilities.”

The old post office building, adjacent to the Ipoh Town Hall, will be transformed into Malaysia’s largest national art gallery under the National Visual Arts Development Board’s supervision.

“The art gallery will function as a hub for collecting and displaying visual art collections such as paintings and sculptures, including works from abroad,” Rumaizi explained.

Although he acknowledged the initial challenges in attracting tourists, Rumaizi expressed confidence in the long-term appeal.

“We believe it is worthwhile to establish this national art gallery. There is a global demand for such venues, and it will take two or three years before we see the results.”

The transformation of the Ipoh Town Hall into a performing arts centre is a significant step in preserving Ipoh’s heritage while promoting its cultural and economic vitality.

This project, along with other restoration initiatives, aims to position Ipoh as a premier heritage tourism destination in Malaysia.