Shophouses are a colloquial term referring to buildings that combine commercial and residential spaces. This has been a popular architectural design across South East Asia (and into China) dating back as far as the 18th century. Constructed as series of terraced houses, shophouses incorporated many features that are well suited to hot and humid environments.

Many of Penang’s shophouses had fallen into disrepair over the decades, and the UNESCO World Heritage Site listing suddenly injected new life into the style. Now the preservationists and those who wanted a Straits-style house were up against developers, all clambering for the scarce real estate. So much so that the average cost of a shophouse per square metre in Penang puts it on par with the latest condos for sale in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur.