16/07/2025

WEDNESDAY | JULY 16, 2025

6

Giving new life to abandoned premises

o Creative entrepreneurs

Seeing its strategic location at Jalan Temiang-Pantai frequented by motorcycle and cycling groups he believed it had business potential. Using his own funds, Mohd Shafiq repaired the damaged parts of the building while preserving the traditional wooden architecture. The front yard was converted into a casual outdoor area with camping style tables and chairs, and the backyard was repurposed for small events or group hangouts. With its tranquil setting, the cafe offers a perfect spot for a coffee break. The cafe can accommodate about 60 people at a time. “We’re going for a ‘camping cafe’ concept, built with my own savings and run by my wife and me. “Our initial target was bikers and cyclists, but we were excited to see locals supporting the business and using the cafe as a gathering place. “It gets livelier on weekends and school holidays when people return to their hometowns and drop by for coffee. The cafe is open from 5pm to midnight.” Mohd Shafiq encourages other owners of abandoned homes to consider repurposing their properties rather than letting them decay. He said unattended houses, especially wooden ones, are prone to termite damage and structural wear, which can lead to high repair costs. “Many people think old houses have no value but if properly maintained and repurposed, they can be profitable.”

KUALA LUMPUR: In recent years creative entrepreneurs have been breathing new life into abandoned and dilapidated buildings, turning them into vibrant hotels, cafes and event venues through adaptive reuse. For Muhammad Zairee Izwan Zahir, transforming four blocks of abandoned four-storey police quarters in Sungai Petani, Kedah into a hotel was one of the best decisions his father ever made. Now known as Zaque’s Hotel, the three-star establishment has become a popular lodging option, especially for out-of-town guests. “The idea to turn the police quarters into a hotel came from my late father Zahir Yahya in 2016. As a contractor, he saw the building’s potential. “ Alhamdulillah , he successfully obtained a lease for the land and building from the relevant agency. At the time, none of us knew his intention was to build a hotel. “Imagine a building covered in dust and moss, rusted window grilles repurpose dilapidated buildings into vibrant hotels, cafes and event venues

The Zaque’s Hotel still retains the original structure and form of the police quarters to preserve its identity. – PIC COURTESY OF ZAQUE’S HOTEL

design, our proximity to the town centre plays a big part.” Another entrepreneur, Mohd Shafiq Zolkipli, 39, saw potential in an old inherited house and turned it into a cafe that has been operating since early February. Located in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan, the cafe, Do8°Camp, blends traditional heritage with a relaxed, modern vibe. “The cafe was originally a family home owned by my wife’s grandmother. After my father-in-law passed away in 2020, the 1950s-era house was left vacant, and it deteriorated. That’s when I decided to breathe new life into it.”

2020, my siblings and I took over the hotel’s operations, managing everything from administration to the kitchen and menu planning,” said Zairee, 28, now the hotel’s managing director. He said the hotel, which initially offered only lodging, has expanded to host events such as weddings. “We offer 30 rooms and 45 apartment-style units. We also host Ramadan buffets, birthday celebrations and government meetings. “Customer reviews show high ratings, and we’re among the top venues for events in Sungai Petani. Besides the modern minimalist room

and crumbling walls. The place was in a quiet, remote location.” But that didn’t deter his father, who used his own funds and skills as a contractor to gradually restore the premises, Bernama reported. “The renovation and interior makeover took four years and was completed by the end of 2019. The hotel began operating immediately after that. “The building still retains the original structure and form of the police quarters to preserve its identity. The room layout and other design aspects were entirely my late father’s vision. “After he passed away in June

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