The site of the Cockpit Hotel at Penang Road was previously occupied by the Hotel de L’Europe (not to be confused with the hotel of the same name that was opened in 1857 along the Padang), which was established in 1947. This earlier property was later renamed ‘the Cockpit’ as it was popular with crew members and passengers of the Dutch airline KLM. The new Cockpit Hotel was completed in 1972 and initially owned by Indonesian businessman Hoo Liong Thing. The 13-storey, 230-room property had a unique facade that featured distinctive windows and wrought-iron balconies. The hotel was sold to Hong Kong jeweller Kevin Hsu in 1980 and subsequently to local hotelier Teo Lay Swee three years later. Teo acquired the neighbouring House of Tan Yeok Nee in 1991 as part of his plan to build an extension to the hotel. This expansion project was abandoned when the Teo family sold the hotel and the surrounding land to property developer Wing Tai in 1996. The hotel, which in its heyday was known for its nightclub and alfresco dining, was closed down the following year. The site of the hotel has since been redeveloped into a condominium property known as Visioncrest Residence.
