Seri Negara reopens this December
If walls could talk, Seri Negara would be absolutely spilling tea right now. After years off the public radar, this iconic colonial mansion in KL is finally reopening this 20th December with major upgrades. Inside, you’ll find immersive galleries housed in a mansion that once welcomed world leaders and even made a cameo in the hit Hollywood film, Crazy Rich Asians.
Opening after six years
Image credit: Stuart Taylor via Facebook
Stepping into this mansion feels like walking straight into the pages of Malaysia’s past. For the uninitiated, Seri Negara was completed in 1913 and was originally known as the King’s House. More than just a pretty building, it doubled as an official guest residence for visiting royalty and dignitaries, including Queen Elizabeth II, and was the backdrop for key discussions that shaped Malaya’s path to independence.
And there’s more.
Image credit: Seri Negara via Website
Beyond its history, this mansion also scored major pop culture points, earning international attention as the lavish Young family estate in the blockbuster film Crazy Rich Asians. Yes, that mansion with the sweeping views and unmistakable old money energy.
The mansion was closed to the public for almost six years and will be reopening this 20th December following a 10-month meticulous restoration led by Khazanah Nasional under the Warisan KL initiative.
Image credit: Seri Negara via Website
The works focused on preserving original architectural elements like the grand wooden staircase that’s repositioned based on archival illustrations to return the mansion as closely as possible to its original form.
What’s new and what to expect at Seri Negara
Image credit: Seri Negara via Website
The biggest change is that Seri Negara is no longer just something to admire from the outside. It is now home to Galeri Seri Negara, a thoughtfully curated heritage gallery spread across four themed exhibition spaces.
Visitors can expect cinematic storytelling where the walls narrate the building’s past- interactive displays exploring pre-independence politics and artefacts, including replicas of the Constitution of Malaya.
Image credit: Seri Negara via Website
Art lovers will also appreciate the inclusion of selected works from Khazanah’s art collection, some dating back to the 1960s, adding a contemporary cultural layer to the historic setting.
To complete the experience, there is now Semuka Cafe and a soon-to-open Serai House, a reservation-only dining space on site, allowing visitors to linger a little longer within the mansion’s elegant interiors.
Image credit: Seri Negara via Website
Entry to this historical site is currently free, but visits can be scheduled through an online booking on their official website. A visit is given an hour, with allocated time slots that start as early as 10am, depending on availability.
A colonial mansion reopens in KL
It is rare to find a place that truly withstands the test of time while also boasting a Hollywood credential that proudly says this was filmed right here at home. That place is Sri Negara.
So if you have been meaning to slow down and play tourist in your own country, this is your sign to visit this iconic mansion for a time worth spending.
Address: Taman Persiaran Tuanku Ja’afar, Tasik Perdana, 50480, Kuala Lumpur
Opening hours: By appointment only
Contact: 03-2295 0888 | Seri Negara website | Facebook
Cover image adapted from: Seri Negara via Website