In Kuala Lumpur’s former red light district, a hotel with Wong Kar-wai-esque aesthetics

A tin miner, public official and proprietor of a department store more than a century ago, Loke Chow Kit is a local historical figure who has lent his name to many things in the Malaysian capital, but perhaps none are as enduring as the neighborhood of Chow Kit. This district – northwest of the Petronas Twin Towers – is a dizzying mix of old and new, where residences and office buildings sit cheek by jowl with low-rise homes and independent businesses, lending it an urban, gritty atmosphere that’s fast disappearing in Kuala Lumpur.

Recently the area welcomed The Chow Kit, a 113-room property by Ormond Hotels. The hotel was designed by New York City-based firm Studio Tack, its inspiration courtesy of the late-night revelry that coursed through this former red-light district’s alleys and lanes in the ’70s and ’80s, as evidenced by the lodging’s intimate Wong Kar-Wai-esque aesthetics.

Studio Tack was also influenced by the city’s use of terracotta brick as a foundation of modern Kuala Lumpur after the great fire of 1881 burnt down the then-town’s wood and attap buildings. “Brick-clad floors, hand-textured walls and rich colors pair with warm lighting to create a casual and comfortable environment,” senior designer Tiffany Rattray says.

Guests entering the establishment are greeted by a lobby that serves as a social parlor, one populated with deep tufted banquettes, lounge chairs and layered rugs – fabrics and textiles that would have been items of trade around town back in the day. On the same level, the Malaysian cuisine restaurant Chow Kit Kitchen features a design concept inspired by kopitiams (coffee shops), with whirring ceiling fans and tile floors, as well as lighting that brings to mind traditional Chinese lanterns.

Rooms are finished in wood and marble with matte black ceilings, while curated artworks from private collections or commissioned from local and regional artists are displayed throughout public areas and guest rooms. The rooftop’s weekly yoga and meditation sessions take place in a dedicated pavilion.

You can also take the hotel’s walking tours to further explore the district. “The property showcases great design and service while demonstrating a strong connection to an often overlooked part of old Kuala Lumpur,” Ormond Group CEO Gareth Lim says.