GEORGE TOWN: The Heritage 1926 Hotel along Jalan Burmah here, one of Penang's heritage buildings, will resume operations in 2026 to coincide with its 100th-year anniversary, at a cost of more than RM20 million.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the refurbishment of the interior spaces of the hotel would be carried out by JetBlue Sdn Bhd. The company has secured a 15-year lease with an additional 15-year option from the Penang Development Corporation (PDC).
"After a request for proposals (RFP) process, JetBlue Sdn Bhd was chosen to operate the hotel. The hotel building will remain a Penang heritage building and is expected to reopen in 2026 as it requires time for restoration.
"The aesthetic and cultural value of the building will be preserved, with renovations only involving the interior spaces of the hotel rooms," he said today.
Chow witnessed the signing of the lease agreement between PDC and JetBlue Sdn Bhd. PDC was represented by its chief executive officer, Datuk Aziz Bakar, while JetBlue Sdn Bhd was represented by its director, Datuk Koay Shao Sheong.
"With the signing of the lease agreement, the government hopes JetBlue Sdn Bhd will turn the hotel into another landmark in the tourism sector, with a modern renovation concept while retaining the original elements of the hotel.
"I believe the collaboration between PDC and JetBlue will make the hotel a successful model in implementing tourism projects that respect heritage while driving economic growth," he said.
Chow said the management of the Heritage 1926 Hotel would be handled by Ascott Hotels, a company known for its active and aggressive hotel management services in Kuala Lumpur.
The hotel's operations ceased in 2020 after the lease ended. The upcoming hotel will have 78 rooms compared with 96 previously.
"Hopefully, the hotel will become another pride of the state and bring much success to Penang," Chow said.