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 The Architecture of
Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh is made up largely of Chinese
shophouse-style buildings (the deep, narrow combined business/
residence common in Southeast Asia) mixed with villas, old
colonial-era structures and a growing number of modern buildings of
mixed styles. With very few buildings taller than a few storeys, the
skyline has traditionally had a very low profile, but this is
changing quickly as several new high-rises are currently under
construction.
Prior to the late 19th century Phnom Penh was a few pagodas and a
string of wooden and bamboo structures along the riverfront. It was
not until the beginning of the French colonial period that the
modern form of the city began to develop. Almost every existing
structure has been built since the 1860s. At the height of the
colonial period Phnom Penh was reputed to be the most beautiful city
in French Indochina - recalling Paris in its manicured parks and
picturesque boulevards lined with ornate villas and public
buildings. Though sometimes difficult to see through the grime and
disrepair of years of hardship and neglect, much of that beauty
still exists just barley hidden beneath. And
the history of the city can be seen in the architecture: classic
19th/early 20th century French Colonial buildings, typically in
yellow, never far from the riverfront where the early city was
centered; early/mid-20th century Art Deco structures such as Phsar
Thmey reflecting European trends; Post-Independence ‘Golden-era’
Khmer architecture from the 1950s and 60s displaying a modern,
distinctively Cambodian direction; and much later, the gaudy wedding
cake villas of the 90s and the mixed styles of the last decade.
See History of
Phnom Penh for more.
Architecture Tour and Sites of Architectural Interest
Most of Phnom Penh’s colonial-era architectural highlights are
located within the city center. There are clusters of colonial
buildings near the Royal Palace, around Post Office Square and
dotting Norodom Blvd. between Sihanouk Blvd and Wat Phnom. See the
city
center map below for sites of architectural interest and a
suggested walking tour route. The route passes many of the better
French colonial buildings as well as examples of later architecture.
Due primarily to proximity, very few examples of New Khmer
Architecture are included. Also not listed below, the National
Museum and Royal Palace
should be included in any tour. The whole route takes about 4 hours
on foot. Faster by cyclo or motodup.
(click for larger map)
A1: Villa Late 19th century villa. In very good condition. Currently
the offices of UNESCO.
A2: Villa Picturesque late 19th century villa in a dilapidated
state.
A3: Old Royal Villa ‘No Problem Building’ Constructed c. 1905. One
of the few remaining royal villas. Good condition.
A4: Villa Constructed c. 1905.
A5: Former Prum Bayon Cinema Constructed in the 1960s.
A6: Block of apartments/shops Constructed circa 1905.
A7: 1935-45 Apartments Distinctive art deco style apartment block
attached to the Lux Cinema, much of the frontage hidden by a modern
facade.
A8: Villa Constructed c. 1920. Small, colonial era villa.
A9: Corner office building Constructed in the 1960s.
A10: Block of shop houses Late 19th century. Buried is modern
facades and signage.
A11: Block of apartments/shops A classic block of Phnom Penh
architecture displaying a mix of periods from the 1930s(at the
market end) through the 60s.
A12: Phsar Thmey Unique domed art deco market structure built
1935-37. See page 16 for more.
A13: Hotel Le Royal Opened 1929. Currently a luxury hotel.
A14: Public Library Constructed in the early 20th century
A15: Former Treasury Building constructed in the 1890s. Several
buildings along Street 106 are late-19th/early-20th century. The
boulevard park along Street 106 was a canal until the 1930s.
A16: 1960s office block
A17: Apartments Colonial period apartments from the 1930s or 40s
displaying a unique Mediterranean style.
A18: Intersection Each corner of the intersection has a building
from a different period: c. 1905, c. 1940 (art moderne) and from the
1980s.
A19: International Hotel Constructed circa 1905. Unique tower
structure. Early signage still visible. Poor condition.
A20: Post Office/Post Office square The post office building was
constructed in the 1890s and still operating as the central post
office. Many of the building on and around the square are turn of
the century.
A21: Former Central Police Station Constructed in the 1890s. Site
used extensively in movie ‘City of Ghosts.’
A22: French Colonial Chamber of Commerce On Post Office Square.
Constructed early 20th century.
A23: Former Banque de l'Indochine building Late 19th century. Owned
by the Van family after 1960. Now fully restored to its former
grandeur and containing Van’s Restaurant.
A24: Chaktomuk Conference Hall Constructed in 1960-61. ‘Golden era’
architecture by Vann Molyvann.
For more on the architecture of Phnom Penh check out the books: ‘Phnom
Penh Then and Now,’ ‘Cultures of Independence’ and ‘Building
Cambodia: New Khmer Architecture 1953-1970.’ See
book page for more.
The Khmer Architecture Tours (
www.ka-tours.org
) offers regularly scheduled lectures and guided architectural tours
of the city focusing primarily on 'New Khmer Architecture.' Cyclo
tours of central Phnom Penh every other Wednesday. See the
website for
schedule.
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