Built in 1903, the complex was originally known as the Whiteaways Building and was commissioned to house Whiteaway, Laidlaw & Co., which became Penang's first modern department store. At the time of its completion, it was described as the "finest and newest block of offices in Penang" and was often referred to as the "Whiteleys of the East". The building was initially owned by Kapitan Chung Keng Kwee, the wealthiest man on the island at the time. Shortly after opening, a major fire in 1904 destroyed the upper portions, leading to a reconstruction that preserved much of the original architectural character seen today. After years of hosting upmarket shops, banks, and the Pinang Gazette newspaper, it fell into disrepair following the repeal of the Rent Control Act. Following George Town's UNESCO listing in 2008, a major restoration project from 2008 to 2011 transformed it into a vibrant hub for art galleries, cafes, and a tourist information centre.