Minden Heights, Gelugor, Penang

Minden Heights, Gelugor, Penang (27 January 2020)


Minden Heights is an upscale residential neighbourhood in Penang. It is a neighbourhood within the district of Gelugor. It is bordered by Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah to the east, Brown Garden to the north, Universiti Sains Malaysia to the south, and Jalan Bukit Gambir to the west.

The area that is now Minden Heights was cleared for plantation during the time of David Brown, who owned much of the land to the south of George Town, stretching all the way from Gelugor to Sungai Ara. The Browns planted nutmeg and clove in the area and built a house in the area known as Glugor House.¹ (I am not sure whether Glugor House is still standing, within the grounds of Universiti Sains Malaysia, or has it since been demolished.)

In the course of time, the plantation land gave way to military use. Barracks were built in the area, known originally as Glugor Barracks, and later renamed as Minden Barracks. This was in the early 1960s, possibly 1961 or 1962. The name Minden was given by the British to commemorate the Battle of Minden, where the Anglo-German army defeated the French army. The battle itself got its name from the town of Minden in North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany.

The development of Minden Heights began in the 1970's to provide housing to the teaching staff of USM. Since then, it has become a choice residential location for the upple middle income, professionals and executives. The properties in Minden Heights comprise bungalows, semi-detached houses as well as some link houses. At the periphery of the housing estate are a few condominium blocks such as U-Garden.

Map of Minden Heights, Gelugor, Penang

Sights at Minden Heights

Residential Properties in Minden Heights

Businesses in Minden Heights

Roads in Minden Heights

Location of Minden Heights

Minden Heights is 7.9 km from Komtar, 2.5 km to the Penang Bridge, 10 km to the Second Penang Bridge and 9.6 km to the Penang International Airport.

Public Transport in Minden Heights

Rapid Penang Bus No. 301, 303, 304 and 401 pass along Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah. There aren't any buses that go right into Minden Heights, meaning if you need to take a bus, you have to walk all the way to the main road which from the deepest part of Minden Heights can take you well over half an hour. It is an affluent neighbourhood where everybody is expected to have his own car.

Amenities at Minden Heights

The nearest school in Minden Heights is the following Malay schools: Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Minden Heights, Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Sungai Gelugor, Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Datuk Haji Mohd Nor Ahmad, Sekolah Rendah Kebangsaan Bukit Gambir and Sekoleh Menengah Bukit Gambier. There is also one Tamil primary school, Sekolah Rendah Jenis Kebangsaan (Tamil) Subramaniya Barathee. The nearest markets from Minden Heights are the Jelutong Market and the Batu Lanchang Market. The nearest hypermarket is Lotus's Penang while the nearest shopping mall is Queensbay Mall. The nearest hospital is Lam Wah Ee Hospital. Minden Heights is less than 10 minutes from the Penang Bridge.

Lebuh Minden 1, Gelugor (18 May 2013)

Traffic at Minden Heights

Minden Heights is a low density area bordered by two major roads, Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah and Jalan Bukit Gambier. The Sungai Nibong Expressway takes some load off Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah which nonetheless still gets quite congested during rush hour, particularly on Friday evenings, with traffic heading towards the Penang Bridge.

Minden Heights is a choice neighbourhood for the affluent, and is perhaps second only to Jesselton Heights as being the choicest real estate on Penang Island. If you can afford an address here, you will have very much "arrived" in Penang.

Reference

List of Housing Estates in Penang and Housing Estates in Malaysia