Foong Seong Building, Ipoh

Foong Seong Building (19 August 2006)

Foong Seong Building (GPS: 4.59578, 101.0811) is an imposing three-storey building along Jalan Laxamana in Ipoh, Perak. The ground floor is occupied by shoplots while the first floor has living quarters. The top floor has a big hall. On the roof is a flagmast.

Foong Seong Building was built in 1931. Its design shows elements of the Art Deco style. Its builder was local tin-miner Foong Seong (1893-1993), who established the Sam Choy Primary School within its premises. It was also used by Chinese Opera and theatre in the evenings.

As with many of the major buildings in Ipoh, it was taken over by the Japanese during the Second World War. The large hall became their officers' mess.

Today the ground floor of Foong Seong Building is still being occupied by shops, mainly groceries and mini markets in close proximity to the Ipoh Market, while the upper floors remain unused.