Thio Thiaw Siat Building

TTS (Thio Thiaw Siat) Building, Beach Street, George Town (2 November 2008)


The TTS Building is an impressive structure along Beach Street in George Town, Penang. It was constructed in 1920 for the estate of the late Cheong Fatt Tze, whose alias is Thio Thiaw Siat, hence the initials TTS on the building.

The Thio Thiaw Siat Building bears a combination of Eastern and Western elements reflective of the Straits Eclectic sense of aesthetics. At the parapet level of the TTS Building are ornamental urns which are aligned with four piers to create the portico. Drapes appear to hang down from the ventilation holes. When this article is written (20 June 2008), the TTS Building housed Georgetown College. Since 2012, it was taken over by the insurance company Chartis and renamed Chartis Place. By 2013, it was renamed again to AIG Place.

TTS Building, as Chartis Place (7 July 2012)

Getting there

The nearest bus stop is the bus stop in front of OCBC. It is served by the CAT Free Shuttle.

Thio Thiaw Siat Building is on the Map of Lebuh Pantai, George Town, Penang

List of Historic Buildings in Penang and Historic Buildings in Malaysia