This article is about the former Kuala Lumpur Central Market, which now houses art and craft and souvenir shops. For the transit station, see Pasar Seni station.
Central Market Kuala Lumpur is located at Jalan Tun Tan Cheng Lock (Foch Avenue) and the pedestrian-only section of Jalan Hang Kasturi (Rodger Street), a few minutes away from Petaling Street and next to Klang River. It was founded in 1888 as a wet market,[1] while the current Art Deco-style building was completed in 1937. It has been classified as a Heritage Site by the Malaysian Heritage Society and is now a landmark for Malaysian culture and heritage.
History
The original building was built in 1888 by the British in colonial British Malaya. It was used as a wet market for Kuala Lumpur citizens and tin miners.
A few decades later, the Wet Market was very convenient for early city dwellers because it was near the Klang bus stand, the hub of feeder bus service for Kuala Lumpur and the train station.
Further expansions were made in 1889, 1895, 1920, and 1921. By 1933, the warehouse expansions, which cost around $167,000, had brought the market to its present size.
As Kuala Lumpur experienced rapid development in the 1970s, plans to demolish the site were in place. The Malaysian Heritage Society's intervention proved timely, as they successfully petitioned against its deconstruction, and the site was declared a "Heritage Site".
During the construction of Dayabumi near Klang River banks in 1981, the market was saved from demolition. The adaptive reuse renovation commenced in October 1985 and was completed in April 1986, to be officially launched during the PATA Conference 1986.[2] Central Market was renovated into a vibrant and colourful new style and had been officially known as Pasar Budaya, although it was popularly called Pasar Seni. Inspired by London's Convent Garden, the renovated Central Market is air-conditioned.[3] The exterior originally had baby blue and pink paint,[3] before the latter was changed to white.
The Central Market Annexe, located at the back of the main building, formerly housed a cineplex and was opened in 2006. The Annexe houses a variety of eclectic art galleries. It is one of the significant art spaces in Kuala Lumpur and is a hub of activity all year long. It features artworks by local artists.
Located alongside the main building is the newly transformed, pedestrianised and covered walkway, Kasturi Walk. Opened in 2011, Kasturi Walk boasts an alfresco ambience featuring an exciting variety of stalls selling tantalising local snacks and exquisite souvenirs. The street is noted for housing street musicians or "buskers".
Features
The Central Market Kuala Lumpur is arranged in a stall concept, representing the traditional market in Kuala Lumpur since the 1800s. Travellers can scroll through the many sections within the Central Market, from the Lorong Melayu, Straits Chinese, and Lorong India, located on the west wing. The second floor hosts a food court, offering an array of food. Notable are two-storey and single-storey buildings resembling the kampong-style houses representing the many ethnic groups living harmoniously in Kuala Lumpur.[4]
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