Jalan Northam in George Town, Penang hasn’t “disappeared”—it was officially renamed Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah, though locals still call it Northam Road. Historically, it was one of Penang’s most prestigious addresses, lined with colonial-era mansions along the seafront and nicknamed part of “Millionaire’s Row.” From the 1990s onward, it gradually shifted from elite residential use to a more commercial and hospitality-focused corridor.

In recent years, the road has seen continuous redevelopment and occasional headlines—from legacy incidents like the Northam Court collapse decades ago to more recent, isolated events such as storm damage to beachfront eateries. Today, it remains a prime, active stretch with hotels, offices, cafés, and high-end residences. In short: no single dramatic event ended Northam—its identity simply evolved with urban growth, while the old name lives on in everyday conversation.

It was called Jalan Northam (Northam Road) after Northam, a town in Devon, England. During British colonial rule, streets in Penang were often named after places in Britain, colonial officials, or members of the British elite—part of a wider habit of imprinting familiar English geography onto colonial cities.

Northam Road was laid out in the late 19th century as an upscale seaside avenue in George Town, lined with grand homes and later clubs and hotels for wealthy Europeans. After independence, many colonial street names were officially changed to Malaysian figures—hence its renaming to Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah—but “Northam Road” stuck in everyday use because of its long history and strong local identity.

Today, the road’s official name is Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah.

That said, many Penangites still casually call it Northam Road or Jalan Northam, especially when talking about landmarks, cafés, or directions along the seafront in George Town. The old name never really left daily conversation—even though the signboards did.

Pros & Cons of Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah (Northam Road)

Here are the location pros and cons of Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah (Northam Road), especially from a living, investing, or business point of view in George Town.

Pros

• Prime seafront address
  One of the few central Penang roads with direct sea views. Breezier, less boxed-in, and psychologically more “premium” than inner George Town streets.
• Central but calmer than tourist core
  Close to Gurney Drive, KOMTAR, heritage zones, hospitals, and offices—yet noticeably quieter than Love Lane, Armenian Street, or Batu Ferringhi.
• Strong prestige & resale value
  Long history as an elite address (“Millionaire’s Row”) means enduring brand value. Properties here tend to hold value better during down cycles.
• Excellent for lifestyle + hospitality
  Ideal for hotels, serviced residences, cafés, medical tourism stays, and long-stay expats who want walkability without chaos.
• Good connectivity
  Easy access to Gurney, Jalan Kelawai, Macalister, and mainland bridges without cutting through the densest old-town traffic.

Cons

• Traffic bottlenecks at peak hours
  Morning and evening rush, events, and weekends can slow things down—especially near junctions and hotels.
• Limited new land supply
  Almost fully built-up. New projects mean redevelopment, not expansion—this keeps prices high but limits options.
• Weather exposure
  Sea-facing units deal with salt air, wind, and occasional storm effects—higher maintenance over time.
• Less “heritage charm” than inner George Town
  It’s polished and modern, but if you want old shophouse vibes and street culture, this isn’t the heart of it.
• Premium pricing
  You pay for the address. Rental yields can be solid, but entry cost is high compared to less glamorous neighborhoods.

Bottom line

Jalan Sultan Ahmad Shah is Penang’s “quiet luxury” corridor—not flashy, not chaotic, but consistently desirable. It’s best if you value location quality, long-term value, and livability over bargain pricing or heavy tourist foot traffic.