Georgetown Heritage & Hotels Group (GHHG), founded by investment banker turned international hotelier Chris Ong, has eyes for decrepit homes.
What is considered an "eye-sore" to many, is a treasure for him.
GHHG has over the years acquired several old mansions and bungalows in George Town, Penang, and turned them into luxurious boutique hotels and they are attracting tourists from around the world, including locals.
Ong first ventured into the hospitality business together with his then partner, Karl Steinberg, when they moved to Sri Lanka in 2003.
He bought a 17th-century Dutch mansion in Galle and restored it into a 12-suite heritage boutique hotel and named it "Galle Fort Hotel".
In 2007, Galle Fort Hotel was one of the recipients of the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award of Distinction in recognition of the conservation work done on it.
Four years later it was sold to a Sri Lankan public company and remains to this day as one of Sri Lanka's top hotels.
Ong said Galle Fort Hotel survived the tsunami when it hit in 2004 but not the political chaos.
He returned home to Penang in 2006 to look after his mum and two years later, he bought a decrepit Anglo-Indian bungalow in Clove Hall Road on what was once the Sarkies Brothers estate.
The 60-year-old restored it and turned it into a five-suite cozy heritage boutique hotel, Clove Hall.
Clove Hall was his first project in Penang, which was later sold in 2010 when the purchaser made him an offer he could not refuse.
"Properties were cheap by global standards in George Town and had flatlined for a decade since the 1997 Asian financial crisis. I bought the bungalow and opened it as a guest house and when the offer came in I sold it," he told NST Property.
When George Town was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008, Ong attempted to save more heritage buildings in the core heritage zone.
In 2010 and 2011 two more properties were added to his portfolio, Muntri Mews and Noordin Mews.
Noordin Mews was sold during its first month of operation when once again, Ong was made an offer he could not turn down.
Ong then used the gains from the sale to save more crumbling buildings in George Town.
Where others saw decay and neglect, Ong could visualise grace and beauty.
Very shortly after that, more properties were acquired namely, Seven Terraces in 2012, and Muntri Grove in 2014.
The latest addition to the list is Jawi Peranakan Mansion, which started operations in January 2017.
In total, GHHG's land holdings in the Georgetown heritage zone is close to two acres.
Ong said each hotel showcases a range of 19th-century architecture, integral to Penang's history and heritage.
The interiors are hip and yet comfortable for today's living, he said.
"I want people to experience the unique architecture, history, and the heritage of George Town. When I do up these houses I want it to feel as authentic as possible.
"I always try and re-create or search for something original that was part of the genre and prefer to source for something from Penang.
"I hope that the brand will represent integrity and the quality of experience and people will have the confidence that when they stay in any of our hotels, they will get a glimpse and experience of old Penang," said Ong.
During the movement control order (MCO), the hotels were closed temporarily and have resumed business in the middle of May.
"Business is still down but it is slowly picking up. We are offering two nights for the price of one, as well as other incredible deals to let locals experience our hospitality. Despite the MCO, we retained all our staff to ensure that when we re-open fully, the service is quick and exceptional," he said.
Besides the hotels, GHHG operates three F&B namely Kebaya Dining Room, Mews cafe, and the Malaya dining room.
The group also runs an antique shop and gallery next to Seven Terraces.
Ong said it will be opening an antique furniture shop adjacent to the existing antique shop.
"We've also added residences for short term stays around Muntri street at No 56, 64 and 81, and restored a house for our staff at No 21. Our central office and my first home are also in Muntri street," he said.
Next Tuesday (July 7) is George Town World Heritage Day and while the annual celebrations and the 2020 George Town Festival have been cancelled to curb the spread of Covid-19, Ong will continue his initiative where he will be presenting cheques to The Living Heritage Treasures of Penang.
"We have sponsored this for the last seven years and will announce another commitment for three years to bring it to a decade of financial support for this great recognition of the artisans of George Town," he said.
Next weekend Ong will also open the Heritage Day Exhibition titled "Chinoiserie" exhibiting the Chinese style and design through the eyes of the West in the 18th Century.