Who was Eu Tong Sen?
Eu Tong Sen was a wealthy chinese tycoon who was a miner, rubber estate and property owner. He was born in Penang, Malaya in 1877. He was also famously known for inheriting his family’s traditional chinese medicine business, Eu Yan Seng, which is still popular nowadays in Singapore. He also provided remittance services in his Eu Yan Seng shops in Gopeng and Kampar, where chinese miners and plantation workers get to send their money back home.
Why is the street named after him?
The street was named in honour of him due to his contributions to further the British efforts in World War 1. He contributed a scout fighter plane called No. 1 Eu Tong Seng, and 6000 pounds for a tank that had two ‘eyes’. The honour was given to him to recognise his efforts. The street was re-named after him in 1919, expunging the previous name ‘Wayang Street’. Upon receiving the honour, he also rebuilt the street and acquired two Chinese opera theatres there.
When were the two buildings at No. 70 and No.80 built?
The building at No. 70 is the former Great Southern Hotel. It was built in 1936 as a boutique hotel with shops and entertainment outlets to serve the richer Chinese immigrants.
The building at No. 80 is the Majestic Theatre. It was constructed by Eu Tong Sen in 1927 as an opera theatre known as Tien Yien Moi Toi for his wife who loves cantonese opera but was refused admittance to an opera performance elsewhere. It was converted to a cinema known as Queen’s Theatre which later became Majestic Theatre.
What was unique about these two buildings?
These two buildings were outstanding among the others in the Kreta Ayer Area. During those days when these two buildings were built, they are considered majestic and sophisticated compared to the surrounding shophouses which have only 2-3 stories and is highly compacted. The Great Southern Hotel was even considered the tallest building then, with a total floor count of 6.
