logo
Creative Entrepreneurs Transform Abandoned Premises Into Thriving Businesses

Creative Entrepreneurs Transform Abandoned Premises Into Thriving Businesses

Barnama15-07-2025
A
mid the rise of towering cityscapes, abandoned and dilapidated buildings often sit forgotten—eyesores in the landscape and magnets for crime.
In recent years, a growing wave of creative entrepreneurs has been breathing new life into neglected spaces, turning them into vibrant hotels, cafes, and event venues through adaptive reuse.
This concept, long embraced abroad, involves repurposing abandoned buildings by preserving their original structure—transforming them into distinctive cafes, restaurants, or even hotels.
OLD QUARTERS
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.
Muhammad Zairee Izwan Zahir, Managing Director Zaque's Hotel
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,' Zairee told Bernama.
Initially, Zairee and his family had doubts about the plan due to the building's dilapidated condition.
'Imagine a building covered in dust and moss, rusted window grilles, and crumbling walls. The place was in a quiet, remote location,' he recalled.
But that didn't deter his father, who used his own funds and skills as a contractor to gradually restore the premises.
Zaque's Hotel offers room with modern minimalist room design
'The renovation and interior makeover took four years and was completed by the end of 2019. The hotel began operating immediately after,' he said.
'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 2020, my siblings and I took over the hotel's operations, managing everything from administration to the kitchen and menu planning,' said Zairee, now the hotel's Managing Director.
NOW A POPULAR DESTINATION
Zairee, now 28, shared that the hotel, initially offering only lodging, has expanded to host events such as weddings.
The previously dull 1,507-square-metre site is now a bustling venue following a series of upgrades.
'We offer 30 rooms and 45 apartment-style units. We also host weddings, 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 design, our proximity to the town centre also plays a big part,' he added.
A abandoned police quarters was renovated into a three-star hotel
In nearly five years of managing the hotel, Zairee has learned that old buildings shouldn't be dismissed as worthless structures—they can be valuable investments.
He believes that not all dilapidated buildings should be torn down, as they can become sources of income.
'I wasn't sure if converting the old building was a smart move—but clearly, my late father made the right call. This hotel has become a livelihood for our family.
'From a forgotten, quiet space, this place is now a hotspot. With creativity and a smart approach, old things can be useful and profitable,' he said, adding that he plans to build a swimming pool to attract more guests.
FROM ABANDONED HOUSE TO CAFÉ
Another entrepreneur, Mohd Shafiq Zolkipli, 39, also saw potential in an old inherited house and turned it into a cafe that has been operating since early February.
The cafe, do8camp, blends traditional heritage with a relaxed, modern vibe to attract visitors.
Located in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan, the cafe, do8camp, blends traditional heritage with a relaxed, modern vibe to attract visitors.
'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 deteriorated. That's when I decided to breathe new life into it,' he told Bernama.
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 and greenery, the cafe offers a perfect spot for a coffee break.
Mohd Shafiq Zolkipli rus the do8camp cafe together with his wife
'We're going for a 'camping cafe' concept, built with my own savings and run by my wife and me. The cafe can accommodate about 60 people at a time.
'We focus on serving various coffee drinks and light bites such as pasta,' he said.
A POPULAR HANGOUT SPOT
Though located in a rural village, the cafe has seen a steady stream of customers since its opening six months ago.
'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,' he said. The cafe is open from 5 pm to midnight.
Do8camp cafe-serving various coffee drinks.
Mohd Shafiq encourages other owners of abandoned homes to consider repurposing their properties rather than letting them decay.
He explained that 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 generate income—whether as a cafe or for other investments,' he said.
— BERNAMA
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Kuching-Pontianak Direct Route Provides Flexibility, Convenience For Travellers
Kuching-Pontianak Direct Route Provides Flexibility, Convenience For Travellers

Barnama

time3 hours ago

  • Barnama

Kuching-Pontianak Direct Route Provides Flexibility, Convenience For Travellers

KUCHING, July 26 (Bernama) -- Sarawak Transport Minister Datuk Seri Lee Kim Shin said the Kuching-Pontianak route, scheduled to commence on Sept 12 and operate twice daily, would provide greater flexibility and convenience for travellers from both sides of the border. In a statement today, he said the opening of these air routes was not just a milestone in aviation, but also a testament to the strong historical, cultural, and familial ties shared by the people. 'It will boost tourism, trade, education and social linkages, especially among border communities,' he said. According to him, the Sarawak government appreciated the Indonesian government's move to reopen Supadio Airport in Pontianak for international flights, which is a strategic air route connecting Kuching and Pontianak, the capital of West Kalimantan. He said he was formally invited to attend the launch, but was unable to be present due to prior official commitments, and delivered a pre-recorded video message to show his full support. 'I wish to first extend my sincere apologies for not being able to attend today's very special event. 'Nonetheless, I am truly delighted and would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to the Sarawak Tourism Board for the successful organisation of the Sarawak Travel Fair in Pontianak,' he said in the message. Air Asia Malaysia announced the launch of the two new direct routes connecting Kuala Lumpur and Kuching to Pontianak, to become the only airline operating international flights to the West Kalimantan capital city. In a statement today, the airline said the new routes were unveiled during the Sarawak Travel Fair, organised by the Sarawak Tourism Board in Pontianak, and officially launched by West Kalimantan Governor Ria Norsan.

KPDN Proposes Broader Access To Essential Items For SARA Aid Recipients
KPDN Proposes Broader Access To Essential Items For SARA Aid Recipients

Barnama

time5 hours ago

  • Barnama

KPDN Proposes Broader Access To Essential Items For SARA Aid Recipients

RANAU, July 26 (Bernama) -- The Ministry of Domestic Trade and Cost of Living (KPDN) will collaborate with the Ministry of Finance (MOF) to expand access to essential items for recipients of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid. Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Minister Datuk Armizan Mohd Ali said KPDN had proposed that recipients be allowed to use their SARA aid at mobile Jualan Rahmah MADANI Programme (PJRM) locations, in addition to existing participating retailers. He said, at present, recipients of the Sumbangan Asas Rahmah (SARA) aid could only purchase basic items at 4,152 participating supermarkets and retail outlets across the country, including 470 in Sabah. 'This initiative enables SARA recipients, particularly in rural and interior areas, to use the aid credited to their MyKad to make purchases at mobile PJRM locations,' he told reporters after launching the Sabah Zone KPDN Carnival 2025 here tonight. Armizan said the additional RM300 million allocation for PJRM would enable KPDN to increase its frequency nationwide, with a target of 20,000 series throughout this year. 'For Sabah, KPDN is targeting 2,276 PJRM series throughout this year, and as of July 26, a total of 1,089 have already been implemented. We will adopt several approaches to ensure the target is achieved by year-end,' he said. He said the approaches included increasing the range of items offered and enhancing cooperation with strategic retail partners. 'Through these improvements, the people will have more choices. The ministry can no longer act alone as it did in the past. For example, today's PJRM is carried out in collaboration with retail partners,' he explained. Commenting on today's programme, this was the second year KPDN had implemented the programme, adding that six carnival tours would be held across the country this year.

NVIDIA-YTL Power Deal To Boost Malaysia As ASEAN AI Hub
NVIDIA-YTL Power Deal To Boost Malaysia As ASEAN AI Hub

Barnama

time5 hours ago

  • Barnama

NVIDIA-YTL Power Deal To Boost Malaysia As ASEAN AI Hub

KUALA LUMPUR, July 26 (Bernama) -- Malaysia is poised to emerge as a regional hub and centre of excellence for artificial intelligence (AI) in ASEAN following the signing of a strategic partnership between NVIDIA Corporation and YTL Power International Bhd. Investment, Trade and Industry Minister Tengku Datuk Seri Zafrul Abdul Aziz said the agreement aims to develop AI infrastructure powered by green energy in Malaysia, backed by an investment worth RM10 billion. 'This landmark project includes the development of AI data centres, deployment of NVIDIA's high-performance graphics processing units (GPUs), and most importantly, the creation of Malaysia's own sovereign large language model (LLM),' he said in a post on social media platform X today.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store