# He grew up in Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown. Now architect Shin Chang is helping bring it back to life

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/he-grew-up-in-kuala-lumpurs-chinatown-now-architect-shin-chang-is-helping-bring-it-back-to-life/
- Published: 2026-11-04T22:09:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-11-05T02:51:41+00:00
- Original publisher: CNA (publisher lean: Centre)
- Original article: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/people/shin-chang-architect-kuala-lumpur-chinatown-6512496
- Topics: Entertainment, Film, World

## Key points

- Shin Chang is helping revive the Chinatown where he grew up.
- ChoCha brought visitors to a neglected Petaling Street shophouse.
- His work includes the former Rex Cinema, now REXKL.

## Summary

Malaysian architect Shin Chang is helping revive Kuala Lumpur’s Chinatown, a neighbourhood where he grew up and later saw businesses and residents move away. His work aims to bring people back by adapting historic buildings for community use, showing how architecture and local businesses can contribute to renewed street life.

With design partner Penny Ng, Chang opened ChoCha Foodstore in a 1920s shophouse on Petaling Street in 2016, preserving features such as its mosaic floors and metal window grilles. The pair later opened Botak Liquor upstairs and set up their studio nearby; Chang also worked on the former Rex Cinema’s transformation into REXKL. He says the restaurant was a practical way to attract visitors to an area that had become quiet after dark.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.