Paterson, Simons & Co. Building, Weld Quay

Paterson, Simons & Co. Building (The Rice Miller Hotel ensemble), Weld Quay, Penang (14 November 2012)


Paterson, Simons & Co. Building (GPS: 5.41545, 100.343) is a historic building along Weld Quay, in George Town, Penang. Today it is part of the ensemble that comprises The Rice Miller. Paterson, Simons & Co. was a colonial trading house established in 1902 by its namasakes Henry Paterson and William Simons, at a time when George Town was experiences an economic boom as a bustling harbour.

As with its neighbours along Weld Quay, Paterson, Simons & Co. is a trading company engaged in the import and export of various raw material such as tin and coal as well as finished goods. The Paterson, Simons & Co. Building remained neglected and in disuse for many years until the site, along with its neighbours, were bought up for The Rice Miller Hotel project. At time of writing (Jan 2013), construction of the hotel is still in progress.

The Paterson, Simons & Co. Building is on the map of Weld Quay

Further Reading

1. 500 Early Postcards - Penang by Cheah Jin Seng

List of Historic Buildings in Penang and Historic Buildings in Malaysia