This article first appeared in City & Country, The Edge Malaysia Weekly on May 15, 2023 - May 21, 2023

It had been a while since I last visited Jalan Sin Chew Kee in Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur, and I was pleasantly surprised by its high level of activity one sunny weekend.

The commercial area has been expanded to two lanes, with the second lane offering the most Instagrammable cafés such as Broom Artisan Café, Breakfast Spot, Three Year Old Café and Tony's Noodles Café.

The street is surrounded by towering high-rise developments, which contrast with the low-rise colonial architecture of the buildings on Jalan Sin Chew Kee. Despite the urbanisation of the area, Jalan Sin Chew Kee retains its own unique charm and character, offering a peaceful respite from busy city life.

Metrohomes executive director See Kok Loong tells City & Country in an email: “Jalan Sin Chew Kee is a short but charming lane located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur’s bustling city centre.

“The street features a row of well-preserved, two-storey colonial terraced houses that date back to the 1920s, along with ageing walk-up apartments that were built in the 1970s.”

While Jalan Sin Chew Kee remains a predominantly residential area, a block of low-cost flats can be found farther along the street. Despite its central location, Jalan Sin Chew Kee is tucked away from the bustling traffic of nearby Jalan Pudu, providing a tranquil oasis amid the hustle and bustle of the city.

The area surrounding Jalan Sin Chew Kee is undergoing significant development, with several major projects in progress. One such project is the Bukit Bintang City Centre (BBCC), a joint-venture development between UDA Holdings Bhd, Eco World Development Group Bhd (EcoWorld Malaysia) and the Employees Provident Fund Board. Located on a 19.4-acre site, the BBCC development is poised to be the new gateway into Kuala Lumpur’s golden triangle and the future centre of greater Kuala Lumpur. It was launched in 2016 and is expected to be fully completed in 2025.

Another significant development in the area is the Merdeka 118 tower, which is scheduled to open in mid-2023. The tower will house the first and only Park Hyatt Hotel in Malaysia, with Maybank as the anchor tenant. While the area is experiencing significant growth, there are also plans for the revival of the Plaza Rakyat development, which was abandoned after the 1997 financial crisis. In addition, there is a vacant plot of land in front of the Hang Tuah LRT station, opposite BBCC, and it is expected to be developed in the future.

“The demand for property near Jalan Sin Chew Kee in Bukit Bintang is growing, thanks in part to the area’s excellent infrastructure. With proper underpasses and overhead bridges, traffic flow is much smoother, and accessibility to Jalan Sin Chew Kee has improved significantly. As a result, the area has become an increasingly attractive location for those seeking a vibrant urban lifestyle,” says See.

“In addition to its convenient location and excellent connectivity, Jalan Sin Chew Kee offers a range of dining options to suit every budget and taste. For those on a budget, the ground floor of the low-cost flats provides affordable food options, while the repurposed commercial heritage buildings offer high-end and niche cafés for the people of Kuala Lumpur.”

He adds that the average transacted price of the colonial buildings there was RM2 million to RM2.8 million in 2020 and 2021.

“The average rent is between RM8,000 and RM10,000 per month, with yields from 4.8% to 5%.

“Jalan Sin Chew Kee is located in an area surrounded by high-rise apartments, including a mix of low-cost and older buildings at the entrance of the road. Among these older buildings is the City Park Apartment, which stands alongside newer developments such as Casa Mutiara, Casa Residence, The Robertson and Swiss Garden Hotel. The area is rapidly evolving, with ongoing development projects such as the Plaza Rakyat revitalisation project set to transform the entire area. Once completed, the project will connect Chinatown’s bustling Petaling Street to the BBCC area, acting as a catalyst for further development in the area.”

While the outlook for Jalan Sin Chew Kee looks promising, some limitations may restrict its potential for further development. One such limitation is the number of parking bays on the street, which could deter potential visitors. Also, the street lacks visibility as compared to other nearby main roads such as Jalan Galloway.

“Despite these limitations, Jalan Sin Chew Kee is a unique and niche area in the inner city centre, offering a different experience for tourists and Malaysians familiar with the area. As such, it is likely to remain a hidden gem within the bustling cityscape of Kuala Lumpur,” See says.

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