Scott and Co., which was owned by Francis Light's trading partner James Scott, had originally built seafronting warehouses along Beach Street. In 1903, the Netherlands Trading Society (NTS) acquired a portion of the warehouses that was occupied by the Criterion Tiffin Rooms.[1] The NTS was in the midst of building its presence in the Dutch East Indies and by 1888, it had opened a branch in George Town.[1][2]
The present-day building, on the site acquired by the NTS, was designed by architects and civil engineers Wilson & Neubronner.[1][2] Completed in 1905, the building originally faced Crown Road, where the British East India Company's offices were located. The road and offices have since been demolished to make way for the present-day HSBC Building.[2]
As a result of continued losses, RBS opted to consolidate its global operations, leading to the sale of the building in 2014 as part of its consolidation process.[3][4] The decision to sell the building in its original state was supported by local historians concerned about the potential demolition of the building.[3] The Bank of China eventually acquired the building and relocated its Penang branch to the premises in 2017.[4][5]
Description
The building was designed in Neoclassical style, featuring a series of arches rendered with keystoning. The turret was initially designed with a domed shape, but it was later modified to its current square shape.[2]
^ abcdefLangdon, Marcus (2014). A Guide to George Town's Historic Commercial and Civic Precincts. George Town: George Town World Heritage Incorporated. p. 33.
^ abcdHockton, Keith (2012). Penang: An Inside Guide to Its Historic Homes, Buildings, Monuments and Parks. MPH Group. ISBN978-967-415-303-8.