GEORGE TOWN, June 21 -- Fronting the corner of Lebuh Acheh and Carnarvon Street is an imposing British colonial white building with modern touches and Straits Chinese influences.

The architectural style of the imposing double-storey building straddling the corner of two streets is almost similar to that of the Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce building, the former Majestic Theatre and Loke Thye Kee building at the junction of Burmah Road and Penang Road.

This is because the building, currently the office of George Town World Heritage Incorporated (GTWHI), was designed by the same man - the prominent Straits Chinese architect Chew Eng Eam - back in 1922.

Chew's signature style is evident in the symmetrical facade, decorative pilasters ...