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163-D, Persiaran Gurney, 10250 Penang, Malaysia

Property Detail

St. Jo’s – previously known as St. Joseph’s Novitiate, is one of the distinct heritage institutions in the vicinity of the George Town UNESCO World Heritage Site. The chapel, built in 1916, and a later 3-storey addition served as a novitiate and teachers’ training college until 1988. After being acquired by Hunza, the site was integrated as part of the Gurney Paragon development alongside the mall, luxury residences and an office tower. 

As a responsible developer, Hunza Group spared no expense to restore this heritage masterpiece and its legacy to its former glory. The extensive works involved the incorporation of modern engineering marvels including the ingenious and one-of-a-kind under-pinning method to create two levels of basement car parks below the main structure. 

Today, St. Jo’s stands as a heritage centrepiece of Gurney Paragon, exuding the vibrant living heritage that awe visitors with its exquisite architecture and ambiance of the yesteryear. It is a versatile space that can accommodate to the dynamic nature of retail – from premium apparel brands to the finest restaurants and exceptional lifestyle destination. The upper levels and the chapels are also capable to host exclusive private events and showcases. 

The harmonious blend of modernity and history is the only one of a kind in Malaysia that earns Gurney Paragon Mall an entry in The Malaysia Book of Records as the “First Shopping Mall Integrated with a Heritage Building”. The restoration efforts also won Hunza Group the World Silver Award at the FIABCI World Prix D’ Excellence Awards 2014 under the Heritage (Restoration/Conservation) category. 

In the lead up to these accolades, St. Jo’s was earlier awarded the Gold Award of Special Merit under the Association of Consulting Engineers Malaysia and the winner of the Heritage Category for the FIABCI Malaysia Property Awards 2013.