Mohd Ariff Mansion (New Savoy Hotel)

Mohd Ariff Mansion (9 Dec 2008)


The Mohd Ariff Mansion is a Malay Straits Eclectic mansion along Hutton Lane. It was built in the mid 19th century by Mohd Ariff Mohd Tajoodin, one of the 19th century Malay millionaires (read also Hutton Lane, Ariffin Court, Ariffin Road, Masjid Wan Chik Ariffin and Teh Bunga Mansion). He came from a long line of distinguished Muslim traders. One of his ancestors, Bapu Alauddin Meerah Hussein Lebai, was an envoy of the Sultan of Kedah who accompanied Francis Light when he landed on Penang.

The children of Mohd Ariff was as successful as him. His eldest son, Wan Chik Ariffin, was one of the most prominent Malay trader in the early 20th century, for whom Ariffin Court and Ariffin Road were named after.

Mohd Ariff Tajoodin is credited as being one of the founding fathers of the Penang Malay Association.

The Mohd Ariff Mansion was given a face lift in the late 19th century, to what we see today. It has passed through several hands, and even served as the club house of the Old Frees Association from 1932 to 1939. Today it is occupied by the New Savoy Hotel, a budget hotel in George Town.

Other Malay bungalows in George Town

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