This 'Hidden' Space In The Heart Of KL Has A Pocket Park, Quaint Bookstore & Resting Area
A peaceful escape from the heat.
By Tamara Jayne — 06 May 2024, 04:39 PM
Nestled within a historic complex of pre-war shophouses on Jalan Tun HS Lee lies a peaceful pocket park, offering a serene green escape in the heart of Kuala Lumpur
The High Street Studios (HSS) Pocket Park was built as a small urban sanctuary, inviting anyone in need of a breather.
Located next to LOKL café, the pocket park spans a modest 935 sq ft, yet boasts lush greenery, bicycle parking racks, and inviting seating areas.
Originally catering mostly to backpackers from BackHome lodgers and LOKL customers, the park underwent a transformation in 2020. With the closure of the backpacker's hostel, it was repurposed into a public space.
Thanks to a grant programme by Think City, dedicated to enhancing Kuala Lumpur's downtown with more green havens, HSS Pocket Park blossomed into a tranquil retreat from the city's heat and hustle.
There are plenty of spots in KL where you can grab a coffee or unwind with a slice of cake, but finding places where you can simply relax without making a purchase is rare.
That's what led to the inspiration behind HSS Pocket Park, Ng Ping Ho, who manages the park, told The Options Edge.
"When guests or customers of the surrounding retail outlets stepped into the courtyard, they couldn't believe a space like this existed. It's so noisy and congested outside, but so peaceful inside. Because of the way the buildings are [situated], it doesn't get too hot in here," he shared.
In addition to the park and café, the surrounding area is dotted with other establishments like the charming bookstore Riwayat, Gahara Batik, and the music store Gambus
Riwayat offers a diverse collection of new, signed, used, and rare books, with a primary focus on promoting local writers and featuring a carefully curated selection of literature from Southeast Asia.
It serves as a haven for book enthusiasts, particularly those passionate about Malaysian literature and works from Southeast Asia.
HSS Pocket Park is just a five-minute walk from Masjid Jamek LRT station
You can also take a 15-minute stroll from the park to Petaling Street and other restaurants and cafés in the area.
