A combination of aerial view pictures of Gurney Drive taken on May 12 this year (top) and Feb 7, 2017 (bottom) showing the reclaimed land.
First phase of mega seafront project set to become major tourist attraction
LOCALS are hoping that a mega seafront project will bring back lustre to the area surrounding Gurney Drive on Penang island.
The first phase of Gurney Bay project is 86.72% complete as of mid-June.
The project, formerly known as Gurney Wharf, is built on reclaimed land.
Many remember Gurney Drive for the hawker stalls which used to line the promenade just above the shoreline, before they were moved to an open-air food court.
An artist's impression of Gurney Bay, previously known as Gurney Wharf.
Back then, a weekend outing for most families would mean going to Gurney Drive for a swim or digging bucketfuls of siput remis or shellfish in the sand.
In the 1970s and 1980s, the annual dragon boat races were held in the waters off Gurney Drive.
Rose Charities Malaysia president Datuk Lawrence Cheah hopes the current project will bring back the golden era of family outings at the location.
“I have fond memories of makeshift tables and chairs on the promenade, with families and friends gathering to enjoy their meals,” said the 80-year-old.
He said that beyond the food, Gurney Drive used to offer stunning seaviews while the sound of waves gently lapping on the shore was soothing too.
Retired nurse Rohana Abdul Karim, 64, said the stretch was also a lovers’ haunt, with couples enjoying sunset strolls.
“My husband and I used to take my three children there during weekends to enjoy the hawker fare.
Changing landscape: An artist’s impression of the playground and skatepark, part of the components of the first phase (above) and ongoing construction of Gurney Bay (below), which is set to open next month. — CHAN BOON KAI/The Star
“Our favourites were pasembur and ais kacang.
“It will be great if the new promenade can provide such an atmosphere,” she said.
Consumers Association of Penang (CAP) education officer NV Subbarow said the old Gurney Drive was not only a haven for food, but also a meeting place.
“I have brought many people from Britain, Australia, China, India, Thailand, Singapore and Iran to savour the food and enjoy the sea breeze.
“We had many meetings here when the CAP office was opposite Gurney Drive for 10 years,” he added.
Hawker stalls on Gurney Drive had made it a popular place.
Developer Datuk Rethinam Pillay, 63, who grew up in Birch Lane, remembers the famous brothers’ char koay teow where Silverton Condominium is now.
“It was a place for family outings here with the beach and row of shops,” said Rethinam.
He hopes Gurney Bay will bring back the good old times to Gurney Drive.
Long-awaited project
Penang local government committee chairman Jagdeep Singh Deo said phase one would be open to the public next month.
There had been a slight delay because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ground-breaking ceremony for the project was performed in May last year.
Gurney Bay, which costs RM200mil and is situated on 24.28ha plot of reclaimed land, is expected to be fully completed in 2025.
Fishing boats coming to shore at Gurney Drive in this picture taken in 1978.
Phase one consists of a children’s play area, skate park, viewing deck (south), public toilets, promenade for pedestrians, hawker stalls, retail areas and recreation park, hawker kiosks, open parking area and a water body (south).
Phase two comprises a hawker centre, retail area, convenience stores, viewing deck (north), public toilets, kiosks for additional hawkers, multi-storey carpark, open parking area, water garden, surau, jetty for water taxis, man-made beach and boardwalk, refuse centre, water body (north) among other things.
“The coast along Gurney Drive is undergoing a massive makeover with the beachfront transformed into a public park,” said Jagdeep.
“It will offer a totally new experience to both locals and tourists.
Subbarow: CAP used to bring foreign visitors to Gurney Drive.
“Gurney Bay will be a premier tourist attraction offering a picturesque seafront experience with an array of dining facilities, including the famous hawker fare.”
He said the development was aligned with the Penang2030 vision of being a family-focused, green and smart state.
The green lungs within the development would offer families an ideal place to spend quality time together and enjoy the sea breeze.
Cheah: Gurney Drive offered good food and stunning views.
One of the distinctive features of Gurney Bay is the water garden, featuring lush greenery, ponds and wetlands.
Jagdeep said it was inspired by Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay, which showcases innovative stormwater filtration systems.
“Upon completion of the entire project in 2025, Gurney Bay will serve as a testament to Penang’s dedication in promoting sustainable urban development,” he added.
Mooted in 2016
Initially known as Gurney Wharf, the development was renamed Gurney Bay to better reflect the location and concept of the project.
Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow had said that the name change was necessary as there was no wharf or pier at the project site.
The project, which was first mooted in 2016, drew mixed reactions from Penangites back then.
Rethinam: Gurney Drive was a place where families would gather.
Some said it would make an ideal recreation ground for locals while injecting a much-needed boost to the tourism sector.
But sceptics felt that the reclamation could be detrimental to the environment and coastline.
A public survey was carried out between Feb 23 and March 16, 2016, with more than 80% of the 832 individuals and five organisations voicing support for the project.
Jagdeep: Gurney Bay is set to be a major tourist attraction.
A total of 356 respondents provided suggestions which were taken into consideration.
Tanjung Pinang Development, which undertook the project, then commissioned leading architects to create a concept master plan.
The Penang government picked Teto Engineering Sdn Bhd as the main contractor.
Thousands thronged Gurney Drive for the Fruits and Food Fiesta back in 2003. — Filepic
Malaysia’s GDP Architects produced the overall master plan, Grant Associates did the landscaping while the retail food-and-beverage component was done by Jerde International.
Anti-climb fencing was put up along the shoreline – from the Gurney Drive roundabout to Jalan Pangkor – for public safety.
The public continues to have access to Gurney Drive promenade.
