Have you ever wondered where the production team of Crazy Rich Asians shot the ancestral house of the Youngs? It was in Malaysia’s very own historic site, Carcosa Seri Negara.
The structure is made up of two buildings—the Carcosa mansion was built in the 1890s and served as the official residence of the first first British High Commissioner, while the Seri Negara was built in 1913 as the official guest house of British officials. Moving forward in time, the buildings did not only become a residence, but a hallmark to Malaysia’s history, since it was the very place where the Federation of Malaya Agreement in 1948 and the Independence Agreement in 1957 were signed.
In 2018, the production team of Crazy Rich Asians film helped kickstart the restoration of the Carcosa Seri Negara, which was then-abandoned. “The movie producer Tim Coddington called and showed me pictures of mansions in Thailand. He asked if I could find any locations like that in Malaysia. I said we had more in common with Singapore in terms of food, language and the way we looked. It would make more sense to try and create Singapore in Malaysia,” said Megan Appathurai, a producer from Petaling Jaya-based company Biscuit Films recalled in an interview with The Star. It was then decided to make Carcosa Seri Negara the Young’s ancestral home, renovating it and cleaning portions of the building which were featured in the film.
And in April 2025, the Warisan Kuala Lumpur initiative was launched, aiming to transform and revitalize infrastructure and landscapes of key locations in the city, preserving it for future generations. Carcosa Seri Negara was one of the locations included in the project, with the restoration led by Khazanah Nasional.
Now, Carcosa Seri Negara is fully restored and open to the public with four art galleries that tell of Malaysia’s rich heritage and history: “The Walls Speak” exhibit features Seri Negara’s role as a silent witness to the events that made the nation; “People, Power, and Place” showcases the mundane life of modern Malaya and how interwoven strength and resilience of the communities created it; “Merdeka and Nationhood” displays a treasure trove of Malaya’s independence; and “Celebrating Malaysia: Voices, Visions, and Hopes” exhibit reveals Malaysia’s aspirations, culture, and vibrant future post-independence.
Previously an important part of Malaysian history, Carcosa Seri Negara now stands as a testament to the country’s significant cultural milestones, and will live on for generations to come.
Check out the Carcosa Seri Negara website for more information and visit it in Kuala Lumpur to see the historic site firsthand.