The Larut Matang & Selama District and Land Office Building in Taiping | The Victorian-styled government office in colonial days

The Larut Matang & Selama District and Land Office

This grand whitewashed building is arguably the most prominent landmark of Taiping, the first town developed by the British Colonial Government in Perak thanks to its rich tin deposit. Taiping was the capital of Perak state from 1876 to 1937 before it was superseded by Ipoh.

This historic building was constructed to replace the old public office on Kota Road. It was completed in 1897 and initially called the New Government Office.  Designed in the shape of the letter 'C' after the last name of the then state engineer Francis Caulfield who was responsible for the design of the building.  It was designed in the Victorian style of architecture and was considered one of the most modern structures of its time. 

Among its distinguishing architectural elements are the central porte cochère with round arches and three pediments of different designs at the roofline. Glass casement windows have replaced the original wooden louvred windows.

The front facade of the Larut Matang & Selama District and Land Office Building

  

The Straits Times dated 7 October 1897 reported "The new Government buildings, at Taiping, are said to be rapidly approaching completion."

The imposing symmetrical building was said to have been completed at the cost of  $83,750. Upon completion it accommodated the Council Chamber, Offices for the Secretariat, Treasury, Audit, Education and Forestry Departments.

The building was gazzetted as the National Heritage in 2012 under the National Heritage Act (Act 645).

It now serves as the office of Larut Matang and Selama District and Land Office. 

The back part of the symmetrical building with its central porch

The central pediment of the roofline

The imposing porte cochère