The Golden Legacy of Bok House

We end 2024 by looking back at a monument that was once iconic but no longer around. If you’re of a certain generation, you might remember an upscale restaurant on Jalan Ampang in a mansion called Le Coq d'Or (The Golden Cockerel). But before becoming a restaurant that served KLites for over 40 years, the mansion was home to Chua Cheng Bok, a local millionaire and founder of Cycle & Carriage. After the restaurant closed down in 2001, Bok House became a subject of interest for developers looking to capitalise on its prime location and conservation groups trying to preserve its legacy and architectural prominence in a fast-developing area. In the end, the efforts to preserve Bok House failed and it was finally demolished in 2006. Heritage conservation expert Elizabeth Cardosa joins us to recall the story of Bok House and how it serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving our heritage.

Image credit: Azrul K. Abdullah