KL’s 119-year-old General Post Office reopens as cultural hub with dining, retail offerings

KUALA LUMPUR, May 23 — The rejuvenated Old General Post Office (GPO) building in Kuala Lumpur officially reopened today, marking a significant milestone in Khazanah Nasional’s Warisan KL project to conserve and redevelop culturally significant buildings in the capital.

Located at the intersection of Jalan Hishamuddin and Jalan Raja, the GPO stands beside the iconic Sultan Abdul Samad Building, which underwent similar conservation works and opened to the public earlier this year.

The newly renovated Old General Post Office on Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur, May 23, 2026. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Opened in 1907, the old General Post Office of Kuala Lumpur is among the city’s heritage landmarks.

The building served as a post office until 1984, before the construction of the current one at the Dayabumi Complex.

The grand reopening was officiated by Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh and Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Fadlun Mak Ujud.

Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Hannah Yeoh and VIPs insert postcards into an old post box to officiate the reopening of the newly renovated Old General Post Office on Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur, May 23, 2026. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Also in attendance were Khazanah Nasional managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, real assets head Selvendran Katheerayson, and Pengurusan Aset Warisan chief executive officer Hilme Hassan.

Speaking about the importance of the project, Amirul Feisal said the restoration work on the GPO was part of Khazanah’s wider conservation exercise involving eight national heritage buildings across two sites in the Dataran Merdeka zone.

“We have just completed the first phase which included the Sultan Abdul Samad Building and GPO,” he added.

Khazanah Nasional managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir speaks about the restoration works at the newly renovated Old General Post Office on Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur, May 23, 2026. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

The next phase will focus on conservation works for a cluster including the Old High Court, DBKL City Theatre, and the Old Survey Office.

“Lastly, the third phase will focus on the National Textile Museum,” he said during a press conference.

Hilme also shared insights into the reconstruction process, saying: “When we took over the building, it wasn’t in a good condition.

Visitors browse products on sale inside the newly renovated Old General Post Office on Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur, May 23, 2026. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

“It is quite challenging to restore a heritage building and requires lots of research and careful development,” he added.

Over the decades, particularly between the 1960s and early 2000s, the building underwent several phases of renovation.

However, these changes affected parts of its original layout and interior details, especially during its adaptation for court use in the 1990s.

Musicians perform among dining outlets inside the newly renovated Old General Post Office on Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur, May 23, 2026. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

The restoration of the GPO took 15 months and was part of an extensive RM600 million conservation project for all eight targeted buildings.

With a total area of 49,888 sq ft, the refreshed GPO now features a curated selection of retail and dining outlets that celebrate Malaysian culinary and cultural heritage.

Visitors can find a range of local products, from creative souvenirs to iconic postcards, alongside Malaysian snacks at the A Piece of Malaysia retail outlets.

Food offerings include Niko Neko Matcha, a café catering to a younger audience, and Oriental Kopi, which serves familiar local flavours.

Visitors walk past a mural inside a store within the newly renovated Old General Post Office on Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur, May 23, 2026. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

On the first floor, diners can enjoy offerings from Ruai, Saudagar, Banglo 289, and Tannin Hill, each showcasing distinct regional cuisines.

The second floor features the Kongsi Kreatif exhibition space, designed for events and collaborations.

The reopening attracted a considerable turnout, with more than 5,000 visitors entering the building on its first day despite the rainy weather.

Among them was 25-year-old Neoh Wei Shen, who welcomed the restored heritage space.

“I used to come here to Dataran Merdeka to walk around, but it’s now much better to have a place where we can chill and have some food,” he said.

Visitor Neoh Wei Shen speaks to Malay Mail at the newly renovated Old General Post Office on Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur, May 23, 2026. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

Another visitor, Jesse Goh, 25, added, “I didn’t know the building was a post office before; I always looked at it as a heritage site. It definitely looks better now, and I’m glad for the restoration work.”

Meanwhile, 79-year-old stamp collector Gary Wan Nyin Keat, who took up a booth to showcase his stamps at the GPO, expressed nostalgia upon returning.

Stamp collector Gary Wan speaks to Malay Mail at the newly renovated Old General Post Office on Jalan Raja, Kuala Lumpur, May 23, 2026. — Picture by Sayuti Zainudin

“This building is nostalgic for me,” he said, recalling his childhood visits to the GPO.

Wan, who began collecting stamps at six, has an extensive collection that includes collages of prominent figures, including Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, and landmarks created from stamps.

المصدر: Malay Mail