New life for old spaces: Entrepreneurs transform dilapidated buildings into cafes, hotels

Sinar Daily

a day ago

KUALA LUMPUR - Amid 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.
Now known as Zaque's Hotel, the three-star establishment has become a popular lodging option, especially for out-of-town guests. An abandoned police quarters was renovated into a three-star hotel.
"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.
"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.
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.
Located in Lenggeng, Negeri Sembilan, 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, 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.
"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 5pm to midnight.
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