Behn Meyer Building, Weld Quay

Behn Meyer Building, Weld Quay, George Town, when it housed the British Council (29 January 2005)


The Behn Meyer Building is a historic building at No. 3 Weld Quay, in George Town, Penang.

Behn Meyer is a European Trading company founded by two Germans from Hamburg, August Behn and Valentin Lorenz Meyer, in Singapore in 1840. It traded in various raw material from coconut oil to camphor and gambier, and later on added tin and tobacco to its trades. The company opened its branch in Penang in 1891, and built its offices on the newly laid Weld Quay. It was one of the European trading houses facing the new waterfront, occupying the lot between Schmidt, Küstermann & Co to its left, and Schiffmann, Herr & Co its right.

After Behn Meyer vacated the building, it was occupied by various institution including the British Council, which has since relocated to Wisma Great Eastern. At time of writing (Jan 2013), the Behn Meyer Building remains unoccupied. Due to its significance, the Behn Meyer Building is one of the sites on the German Heritage Trail of Penang.

Updates on the Behn Meyer Building

17 September, 2013: The Behn Meyer Building houses the Made In Penang Interactive Museum which opened on 1 November, 2013.

Behn Meyer Building, George Town, at time of writing, for rent (14 November 2012)


Behn Meyer Building at night (5 August 2012)

Location of the Behn Meyer Building on the map

List of Historic Buildings in Penang and Historic Buildings in Malaysia