The Else Kuala Lumpur hotel is located at 145, Jalan Tun H S Lee, City Centre, 50000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The hotel is situated in a vibrant downtown area known for its rich heritage and culture. It occupies the revitalized historic Lee Rubber Building in the heart of Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown.
The Else Kuala Lumpur hotel, located in the historic 1930s Art Deco Lee Rubber Building, showcases an architectural design that is a sensitive fusion of its preserved heritage and a new, contemporary purpose. The original structure, once the tallest in Kuala Lumpur, was designed by British architectural firm Booty Edwards & Partners. For its transformation into a boutique hotel, the adaptive reuse project was led by local Malaysian firms. The interior design and conceptualization were handled by Studio Bikin, while Faizah Architect oversaw the architectural restoration.
The design meticulously retains the building's iconic Art Deco facade, characterized by its elegant lines and intricate details. In contrast, the interior offers a minimalist and warm contemporary aesthetic that features Southeast Asian influences. This duality is central to the design philosophy, which aimed to create a serene, modern oasis while showcasing the building's rich history. To achieve this, the team used a palette of warm, neutral tones and incorporated custom pieces crafted by local artisans. Notable features include a 100-year-old merbau dining table and antique carved timber columns salvaged from Indian mansions. The design intentionally preserves elements of the building's past, such as the original reinforced concrete beams, celebrating the structure's narrative of transformation.
The Else Kuala Lumpur Hotel features a singular premier suite, the Else Suite, which spans 84 square meters and offers panoramic city views from its private balcony, making it a unique offering rather than a collection of multiple suites. The hotel's other rooms provide standard accommodations within the historic building, which houses various amenities like an outdoor pool and a gym, but do not extend to additional types of suites. Its offerings include the Raw Kitchen Hall and Yellow Fin Horse for world-class dining, the vibrant streets of Chinatown for exploration, and a sophisticated atmosphere within a restored historical building. Guests can enjoy a rooftop pool, a boutique gym, private dining spaces, and an environment designed for both social gathering and peaceful respite.
This duality is expressed architecturally through the restoration of the historic façade combined with modern interventions. The most striking of these are the vertical voids and staggered atrium openings cut into the interior. These "liberated" spaces flood the communal areas with natural light and air, creating an immediate sense of calm and connecting guests with the surrounding urban environment. A new two-story extension was also added, featuring vertical fins that hover over the original structure, providing a quiet contrast while honoring the Art Deco heritage.
The interior design, developed with Malaysian firm Studio Bikin, emphasizes warmth, local heritage, and sensorial experiences. Materials feature earthy tones, natural tropical textures, and a layered, tactile feel, intended to evoke the ambiance of a refined home. The hotel is filled with bespoke, salvaged, and locally-made furniture and art. Collaborations with local artisans are prominent, with details like handwoven headboards crafted by indigenous Sarawakian tribes and custom-made bricks. Overall, the design narrative avoids a sterile luxury experience, opting instead for a soulful, eclectic, and lived-in atmosphere that honors the past while embracing new stories.
Else Kuala Lumpur was founded by Singapore-based restaurateur Justin Chen and Javier Perez. The hotel is a revival of the historic 1930s Lee Rubber Building in Kuala Lumpur's Chinatown. Chen and Perez transformed the historic building into a contemporary cultural destination, blending its original Art Deco exterior with modern architectural features. The project aimed to create a unique hospitality experience that reflects Kuala Lumpur's vibrant creativity and culture for "conscious travelers" seeking meaningful connections and mindful experiences.
