(Picture from The Star)In the background, on the right hand corner, is Menara Jaya condominium and behind it, relatively new, Millenium Square, a mixed development.
The building was better known as ‘Jaya Supermarket’ or Cold Storage building
This bold blue coloured building stood out as a landmark, mainly because of its unique colour, among the former low cost single storey houses (original cost just under Rm10,000 in the sixties, now mostly renovated, around Rm300,000) and some newer shops and high rise buildings. Whenever we were in PJ we used to frequent the supermarket which was well stocked with certain cheeses not found in others. My most memorable in the building was the time when I got calls from Cheng who had just arrived at Heathrow Airport informing us that my nephew had yet to arrive because he overslept.
When news of its re-development was announced, just about everybody would comment, “What a waste, having to demolish such a big building for that purpose, as if there are no more land around?” Many would conclude that it must be worth the effort, bearing in mind at the time, the redevelopment projects of Jaya 33 and Jaya 1 (which have proven to be very successful, and across the Federal Highway, PJ8 which is being completed.
I have heard of, but forgotten about the case of a building having added two floors(?) without planning approval which when known, caused the usual outcries, but the matter was settled with fines which proved worthwhile for the owners’ ignominious initiative then.
Just a few weeks ago, my sister-in-law was certain that was the building and mentioned that the real reason for redevelopment was the structural inadequacy because it was not meant for the additional floors!
Now assuming, she was right. Suddenly, legal and moral issues come to mind and the owners, the structural engineers, and architects involved in the project, and not forgetting the PJ authorities responsible for supervision and final approval, will have to face the consequences.
We have seen how the Highland Towers case ended, but I would not want to be one of those able to escape prosecution but have to bear the guilt for the rest of my life.
This bold blue coloured building stood out as a landmark, mainly because of its unique colour, among the former low cost single storey houses (original cost just under Rm10,000 in the sixties, now mostly renovated, around Rm300,000) and some newer shops and high rise buildings. Whenever we were in PJ we used to frequent the supermarket which was well stocked with certain cheeses not found in others. My most memorable in the building was the time when I got calls from Cheng who had just arrived at Heathrow Airport informing us that my nephew had yet to arrive because he overslept.
When news of its re-development was announced, just about everybody would comment, “What a waste, having to demolish such a big building for that purpose, as if there are no more land around?” Many would conclude that it must be worth the effort, bearing in mind at the time, the redevelopment projects of Jaya 33 and Jaya 1 (which have proven to be very successful, and across the Federal Highway, PJ8 which is being completed.
I have heard of, but forgotten about the case of a building having added two floors(?) without planning approval which when known, caused the usual outcries, but the matter was settled with fines which proved worthwhile for the owners’ ignominious initiative then.
Just a few weeks ago, my sister-in-law was certain that was the building and mentioned that the real reason for redevelopment was the structural inadequacy because it was not meant for the additional floors!
Now assuming, she was right. Suddenly, legal and moral issues come to mind and the owners, the structural engineers, and architects involved in the project, and not forgetting the PJ authorities responsible for supervision and final approval, will have to face the consequences.
We have seen how the Highland Towers case ended, but I would not want to be one of those able to escape prosecution but have to bear the guilt for the rest of my life.
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