Old Walls, Hidden Gems: A Day at Zhongshan Building

I had no idea what to expect when I planned to go to Zhongshan Building that morning. From the outside, it just looked like an old building, with old walls, small windows, nothing fancy or shiny. However, I changed my mind immediately when I entered the building. I got a feeling that the building itself was waiting for me to discover it one room at a time.

The exterior of Zhongshan Building. (Source: Jia Yi’s phone)

It felt like stepping into someone’s memory- a place where people, stories and artwork quietly lingered. I could hear soft voices coming from upstairs, the clinking of ceramic tumblers from a cafe next door, and the doorbell chiming as people opened the door. 

Remedy: Where Sustainability Lives Quietly

I started with Remedy, a skincare shop located on the ground floor of Zhongshan. The entrance of the store revealed a strong scent of herbs and essential oils which wrapped my body. The walls carried shelves of oils, scrubs, stones, and handcrafted earrings.

Ryan, the founder of Remedy, was standing behind the store counter, typing on his laptop.

Ryan typing on his laptop at Remedy. (Source: Jia Yi’s phone)

He leaned back slightly while thinking about his path to Zhongshan Building. 

“Remedy started as a kind of platform to advocate for sustainability,” he began. “We wanted to improve awareness on preserving the environment, while creating products that are good and gentle on the skin, using natural ingredients.”

He told me they discovered Zhongshan long before it became what it is today.

“We found the opportunity to set up here as a platform for expression,” he said. “And also to grow culture here.”

The space expressed itself without loud declarations, but silence and calm.

Atmosphere inside Remedy. (Source: Jia Yi’s phone)

When I asked why Zhongshan felt different from other commercial spaces in KL, Ryan smiled.

“It’s got a very positive community,” he said. “It’s one of the more culturally intimate places for people to gather right now.”

And the people?

“The tenants are warm and closely helpful,” he said. “It’s very easy for a new brand to get support here. Everyone believes in sustainability, conservation, and preservation, not just the environment, but culture and art.”

Ryan made me understand that Remedy exceeded its role as a shop because it served as a bigger heartbeat, a community that worked hard to protect their heritage through quiet yet sustained efforts.

Stairs, Sunlight, and Serendipity

I continued exploring the building by using the worn stairs that creaked under my feet. There’s no lift here so for visitors who find stairs difficult, please be aware. But maybe climbing is part of the experience; it allows you to discover hidden details which you would normally miss during your journey.

On the upper floors, studios peeked out from behind half-open doors. The mural at the alleyway creates a striking contrast with the damaged walls.

The floor met golden light from windows which I encountered during my entire walk.

The mural in the alleyway at Zhongshan Building. (Jiayi’s phone)

Claire: The Tourist Who Found a Secret

I met Claire from London, at Ana Tomy, a stationery shop beside Remedy. She was testing the pen by writing on paper while carrying her tote bag stuffed with multiple zines and notebooks.

Claire was testing a pen at Ana Tomy. (Source: Jiayi’s phone)

When I asked how she discovered Zhongshan, she said: “It is my first time here, and a friend recommended it.”

“It’s very artistic,” she said. “I like the concept store idea. It’s nice to discover unique things, see the arts, see the kind of art that I’m looking for.”

I asked whether it felt like a hidden gem.

“Yeah, I think so,” she replied without hesitation. “If my friend hadn’t recommended it, I wouldn’t have known to come here. It’s not on any tourist recommendation places.”

She laughed and added: “The building itself, you kind of have to find the coffee shops and the studios. So it does feel quite hidden.”

When I asked her for one word to describe Zhongshan, she paused and smiled.

“Artistic.”

And somehow, that one word felt perfect.

Coffee, Corridors, and Little Joys

I visited Tommy Le Baker, a space where sourdough bread aromas filled the air. People chatted softly, a child giggled at a pastry, someone wrote poetry in their notebook. Above the shop, little Malaysian flags hung from the roof created a festive atmosphere.

Little Malaysian flags hung at Tommy Le Baker. (Source: Jiayi’s phone)

Before leaving, I visited Piupiupiu for an iced latte and matcha latte. The drinks tasted better when I drank them in peaceful surroundings.

Iced latte and matcha latte from Piupiupiu. (Source: Jiayi’s phone)

Every corner I visited in Zhongshan, it welcomed people through its genuine and peaceful attitude.

Leaving with Full Hands and a Fuller Heart

When I stepped back outside, the building looked the same as when I arrived- peaceful, and unpretentious design.

But I wasn’t the same.

Zhongshan Building taught me that beauty isn't always loud and fancy. True beauty sometimes exists in unexpected places of an old building. The handwritten signs, and the dedicated work of people who construct things with passion.

It reminded me that cities aren’t only made of skyscrapers and traffic. Sometimes, they hide creative cultural spaces that maintain traditional heritage.

And like Claire said, Zhongshan really is artistic. But more than that, it’s alive.