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HERITAGE LOST: Jim Ah Koy's daughter buys former residence of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna and turns it into money-making eatery house and mall

14/11/2013

10 Comments

 

Museum, Thurston Gardens to be sold for $4M, and also Borron House?

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Feejee Island Traders Heritage Mall at Knollys St, Suva
PictureCarolyn Ah Koy
A taste of history at the mall
Frederica Elbourne
Sunday, August 04, 2013


THE former home of Fijian high chief Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna is the latest rave in Suva.

Following months of careful and major renovation, the white-painted wooden mansion with its matching white picket fence is now Feejee Island Traders Heritage Mall.

Tucked at the corner of Riley and Knollys streets, 46-50 Knollys St to be precise, it is the newest heritage attraction in Suva.

The mall was quietly opened last month and houses Governors Gourmet Coffee House & Restaurant, three themed private dining and meeting rooms (Captains Table, Explorers Room, Bosuns Quarters), South Seas Treasures Fine Furniture and Exotic Gift store, Karalina's Fiji Designer Boutique and a real estate office, Fiji Real Estate Centre.

Parking is no problem as there is onsite parking space for 15 vehicles on Riley St.

Just five minutes from Suva's CBD and major downtown hotels, this sprawling 70-year-old plus estate, spills over four lots and has the ambience of taking you back in time.

"The mall can be likened to a mini museum," said Ken Macdonald who with his wife Carolyn Ah Koy, are owners of what may very well be Fiji's first of its kind.

At the heart of the mall is the air conditioned Governors Gourmet Coffee House & Restaurant, an instant hit among patrons, which has been filled to its 50-seat capacity in as many days since it was opened.

Its airy ambience with white-painted walls is matched with old A3 size pages of The Fiji Times and some dating back to 1918 that serve as placemats. Bright coloured mix-and-match upholstered dining chairs and wall-to-wall collection of framed vintage photos add to the ethereal make-up of the place.

Posters, artifacts and antiques adorn the walls and special little areas like the loft in the main dining room where a fun interpretation of Suva's Kings Wharf in 1905 is displayed, add to its interesting interior.

"The restoration is dedicated to the picturesque scenery and romanticism that Pacific islands have always been known for," Mr MacDonald said.

The restaurant's outdoor dining area along its garden verandah can cater for 40 people at any one time.

Wide covered verandah with period gardens set the mood for the overall theme of Fiji and the Pacific Islands — pre 1950.

The restaurant opens from 8am to midday for breakfast, or just enjoy a speciality coffee or tea with freshly baked goodies.
Full story


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Renowned chef Lance Seeto - photo was taken during the filming of his TV show test run at Governors Gourmet Coffee House & Restaurant
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Legacy crushed. Bainimarama regime makes no effort to preserve Ratu Sukuna's memory
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Birds of Money-Making Feather: Ah Koy and Bainimarama
10 Comments
Rigamoto
14/11/2013 12:52:26 am

The food was pretty ordinary considering the price. And nothing really new that you couldn't get elsewhere for cheaper. Bowling club still the place to eat.

Reply
Heritage Man
14/11/2013 01:13:45 am

I am amazed Frank Bainimarama a half-caste Indo-Fjian (son of Senator Kuar Battan Singh) has the gall to sell up things dear to native Fijians but when will the Fijians wake up and boil him in one of those pots at this bistro! Long live Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna

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Rajesh
14/11/2013 11:26:47 am

We are all complaing but these regime wont listern.they there to fill the pocket and destroy fijians .i blame the fijian army and police for helping bai/khaiyum destroy fiji.shame.
borron house / RT Sukuna next what sell fiji off .

Reply
Kenneth Borron
5/7/2016 03:39:46 pm

My grandfather left this house to the fiji people my father Jim Borron past away on May 2 2014 and nothing was said to my loving farther why have we being left out???

Heart Broken
18/11/2013 11:44:58 pm

Shame, Shame, Shame on you Bainimarama likewise Ah Koy. This building should be preserved as it is a symbolic part of our history. It is a low lying act of two greedy people who seems only interested in fulfilling their dream. Turning such a historic building into a cafeteria is total rip off.

Reply
Bimal
18/11/2013 11:47:22 pm

Sa rui sivia na nomudrau viavia levu Jim Ah-Koi kei Voreqe.

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Kenneth Borron
5/7/2016 03:35:14 pm

I agree same on you!

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john vr lal
20/10/2016 01:48:59 am

I would like to get hold of BOOK on Sir Ratu Sakuna"s life. Jiimmy AK Koy was my classmate @ St Columbus Primary on Suva Street in Toorack.

Reply
Alipate Ose
22/6/2017 05:58:07 am

Sometimes, things in life work in mysterious ways...look upon this a godsend for the future Fijian generations that for now, the Macdonalds/Ah Koy's has been gifted with being the custodians for this historical place, and whilst they own it, it will be well kept and the building preserved, one can be assured of that. One day there will be an opportunity to 'buy back' this piece of history for the rest to enjoy- you and I will not be around then. In the meantime be grateful that you have the opportunity to go see it and at the same time dine in it whilst silently contemplating how lucky you are to visit the home of Ratu Sir Lala Sukuna...for free.

Reply
Raymond Larson link
25/6/2024 11:38:25 am

This was lovelyy to read

Reply



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