JOHOR BARU: The Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House, once a shining example of modern, ground-breaking architecture and design, is now an eyesore.
The once-gleaming facade is in desperate need of a thorough cleaning. The building's exterior has accumulated dirt and grime over the years due to exposure to the elements, pollution and other environmental factors.
The building makes extensive use of metal cladding and tempered glass, and sharp angles, creating a unique architecture inspired by an exquisite diamond.
The opera house was built by one of China's renowned developers, the R&F Group.
Strategically located at the central business district, the opera house faces the Johor-Singapore Causeway.
The once "sparkling jewel" now has the dubious distinction of being the most recognised "unmaintained" landmark in Johor.
R&F Development Sdn Bhd chairman Li Mingliang said the black adhesive used to secure the metal cladding to the building's exterior surfaces had left streaks of black residue on its facade.
"We tried to clean off the residue from the cladding and glass in the past, but because of the compound used in the adhesive, removing the streaks was an uphill task.
"We are currently looking for a reliable cleaning contractor," he said.
The Permaisuri Zarith Sofiah Opera House is part of the R&F Marina Place, a mixed development cluster consisting of a high-tech IMAX & 4D theatre, a yacht club and a shopping complex.
The opera house, the first in the southern region, has a seating capacity of more than 500 seats, covering 114,430sqft (34878.26sqm). It was opened in January 2020.