KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — The 113-year-old Seri Negara finally reopened its doors to the wider public in December 2025 after an intensive 10-month restoration exercise.

The round-the-clock restoration work, led by Khazanah Nasional under the Warisan KL initiative, uncovered many fascinating facets of the heritage building’s colourful past.

Seri Negara was constructed in 1913 on Bukit Carcosa — which gets its name from the Carcosa that was built in 1898 for the British Resident-General of the Federated Malay States.

Fun fact: The Perdana Lake located in the vicinity was once called Lake Sydney, named after the wife of Sir Frank Swettenham, the first British Resident-General of the Federated Malay States.

The Seri Negara served as the official residence for the High Commissioner of the Federated Malay States and later, for the High Commissioner of Malaya.

The country’s Constitution was also drafted and deliberated in Seri Negara, culminating in the signing of the Independence Agreement by the nine Malay Rulers and the last British High Commissioner here in 1957.

After Malaya’s independence, Seri Negara served as Istana Tetamu, the state guest house, hosting eminent dignitaries like King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Queen Sirikit of Thailand as well as Emperor Haile Selassie of Ethiopia.

The Carcosa and Seri Negara were later turned into a luxury boutique hotel in 1989, which eventually ceased operations in 2015.

Both buildings became popular in the 2018 rom-com, Crazy Rich Asians, as the majestic Young mansion.

The inner part of the mansion was filmed in Carcosa, while the outer facade was shot at Seri Negara.

What was discovered and restored?

Think City conservation advisor Justin Khoo, who was involved in the restoration exercise, said the primary goal was to keep Seri Negara as close as possible to its appearance during the Merdeka era — the period when it was most significant.