Turning stables and schools into lifestyle hubs: Malaysia reimagines its old spaces

[KUALA LUMPUR] From Penang to Kuala Lumpur, a wave of development is turning old buildings – from abandoned schools to ageing cinemas – into lifestyle destinations.

The shift reflects both market realities and changing tastes.

As construction costs rise and retail spaces lie empty, developers are less inclined to “build new”. Meanwhile, consumers are seeking places with an identity, not mere scale.