KHOO Kongsi is seeking investors to restore 14 double-storey pre-war shophouses located on both sides of the heritage enclave's entrance to further enliven the historic site.

Khoo Kongsi president Datuk Seri Khoo Keat Siew said it was timely to embark on the restoration project with George Town's recent listing as a Unesco World Heritage Site.

"Since the listing, Khoo Kongsi has recorded an increase of about 20% in visitor arrivals," he said in a press conference at the Kongsi yesterday.

He said the courtyard, with the majestic clan house as a backdrop, had become a popular venue for celebrations, performances and dinners.

"It is thus timely to seek potential investors to restore and adaptively transform the 14 pre-war units into a well-preserved heritage and cultural arts centre.

"The units are ideal for small boutique hotels, restaurants, local art and craft galleries and outlets," he said.

Khoo said the trustees had enlisted the services of estate agents Raine and Horne Interna-tional Penang to assist them in publicising their intentions with the firm's extensive network of investors.

"The trustees will be in Singapore on Friday to meet with potential investors, entrepreneurs, conservationists and professionals with expertise in the heritage and restoration and preservation of old buildings.

"Hopefully, it will result in some concrete proposals benefiting investors and the Kongsi in a win-win situation," Khoo said, adding that they hoped they could wrap up the project by year-end.

Raine and Horne International senior partner Michael Geh said the trustees and the firm were going international to find the best partners with the best experience in heritage restoration and conservation.

"It is pertinent to ensure the conservation efforts are commercially viable, sustainable and beneficial to the investors, the people patronising the businesses, the state government and Penangites," he said.

Geh added that the restoration plan was inspired by the conservation and preservation of the 800-year-old world heritage site of Lijiang in China, where a living arts villages was well-preserved and dotted with traditional restaurants, shops, offices, banks and hotels.