Hatter's Castle, Carey Island

Hatter's Castle (GPS: 2.88673, 101.36038) is the restored plantation manager's bungalow on Carey Island, Selangor. Located within Sime Darby Plantation's palm oil estate, it was designed by Danish engineer C.L. Gjorup and completed in 1923, making it the first of many colonial-style bungalows constructed on the island. It was constructed with timber harvested from nearby Bukit Jugra.¹

The name Hatter's refers to the roof of the bungalow, in the shape of a hat. It is inspired by the first novel of author A.J. Cronin, written in 1931, which was also called Hatter's Castle, which had had a deep impact on Edward Valentine John Carey², the founder of Carey Island.

According to Badan Warisan Malaysia (The Heritage of Malaysia Trust), 10 out of the 14 bungalows on Carey Island have been given heritage status. Of these, Hatter's Castle stands out as the prototype that has been admired and modelled after, for subsequent plantation bungalows and hill station rest houses. The charming bungalow has a built-up area of 496 square meters spread over four levels, and was built at a cost of RM25,500.¹ To construct the building, the plantation brought in builders from Shanghai, and also recruited some local Mah Meri tribesmen for the labour.

The Danish engineer C.L. Gjorup became the first occupant of Hatter's Castle when it was completed, sharing the bungalow with plantation general manager James French, who took up the upper floor.

Sime Darby has undertaken a restoration of Hatter's Castle. To do this, it salvaged old roof tiles from dilapidated colonial buildings elsewhere in the peninsula which are beyond repair to use on Hatter's Castle. The building is now used as a guesthouse for Sime Darby visitors and senior executives.

References

1. The Star (3 February, 2016): Planter's heritage by Wong Li Za
2. Carey Island, Wikipedia

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