A grand colonial-style mansion stands on a hill in the Batu Gajah area of Perak, Malaysia. The building is known as Kellie’s Castle.
The building is a former private residence designed as a family palace for a Scottish landowner. However, its construction halted midway, which left behind a structural shell that was never completed.
The Construction Plan of Kellie's Castle
The construction of Kellie’s Castle was initiated by William Kellie Smith in the early 20th century. Smith accumulated wealth in Malaya by managing rubber plantation and tin mining businesses.
He built the residence to celebrate the birth of his son in 1904. In addition, Smith desired a large residence to showcase his business success. He then ordered the design of a luxury building unlike anything previously seen in the region.
Its design combined Greco-Roman, Moorish, and Indian Gothic architectural styles. The appearance differed from other architectural designs present in the area at that time.
The building's construction plan was drafted to stand six floors high. Its facilities were equipped with a rooftop tennis court and a dedicated bathing area.
The building's design included plans for the installation of an elevator in the central core of the structure. The facility was prepared to be the first elevator operating in the region of Malaya.
To handle the intricate architectural details and ornaments, Smith employed around 70 stone masons and craftsmen from Madras, India. The workers were brought in specifically to handle the brick construction and building pillar decorations.
Why Construction Halted
Construction on the multi-story building began to stall when World War I broke out in 1914. Imports of building materials from Europe were halted due to disrupted shipping lanes.
Entering 1918, the Spanish flu epidemic struck the region of Malaya. The disease infected workers at the construction site, causing several fatalities.
Activity at the site briefly halted as the number of workers decreased drastically. Smith then established a Hindu temple near the project area so that the remaining workers would feel secure and willing to continue their duties.
Several years later, specifically in 1926, Smith undertook a journey to Lisbon, Portugal. He traveled there to arrange the purchase of the elevator machinery that had been ordered.
During that visit, Smith contracted pneumonia and passed away at the age of 56. Since that time, the construction of the building in Batu Gajah was never resumed.
Smith's wife, Agnes, chose not to continue the project following her husband's passing. She sold all of the plantation land along with the half-finished building to the British company, Harrisons & Crosfield.
Agnes and her children then returned to Scotland. The unfinished house was subsequently left behind without maintenance.
The Current Condition of the Building After Abandonment
After being abandoned, the building remained unmaintained for decades. Wild vegetation grew to envelop the surrounding area and parts of the brick walls.
Despite lacking a roof and maintenance, the concrete structure and red brick walls of the building remained standing firmly. Several sections of the underground tunnels and elevator shaft framework also remained in an open condition.
The installation of the upper floors and the roof of the building was indeed never carried out since construction activities stopped in 1926.
The Perak State Government took over ownership of the asset in the late 20th century. The area around the building began to be cleared, then landscaped without altering or renovating its original structure.
The building area was subsequently officially opened as a cultural heritage site for general visitation. Walkways and safety railings were constructed to facilitate navigation around the underground tunnels and the elevator shaft area.
The remnants of the main building now stand amidst a landscaped garden. The red brick walls remain standing upright without a roof covering.
The framework of the bathing area and the remnants of the six-story pillars are also left exposed. All of the sections reveal traces of 1920s construction in their original form.
