The Blue Mansion

Cheong Fat Tze was a remarkable man. A true rags to riches story, he arrived in Jakarta from China in 1856 aged 16 and went on to build an economic empire spanning S E Asia, with The New York Times dubbing him the 'Rockefeller of the East'. He also had time for 8 wives who lived in various locations across the region. Number 7 was his favourite and it was for her he built the Blue Mansion in the 1880s, in the style and scale befitting of a man of his standing.

'The Blue Mansion is a flamboyant masterpierce of eclectic Chinese and European architecture encompassing 38 rooms, 5 courtyards, 7 staircases and 220 windows'. The walls are a foot thick, ceilings 16 feet high and that beautiful blue colour comes from indigo lime wash. The house fell into ruin after Cheong's death in 1916 but restoration began in 1989 when his estate finally settled and the house sold to a local couple with a passion for heritage conservation (and plenty of money). The restoration took 6 years and has won all manner of awards including the most excellent project from UNESCO in 2000. It is now utilised as boutique accommodation and events, especially weddings. And we are privileged enough to be staying here.

Foyer

Central courtyard

Breakfast

Left front courtyard entrance

Our room, The Escoy