This is by no means the first reincarnation for the gorgeous Alkaff Mansion; but it's certainly a welcome one. Built as a holiday home by rich Yemeni traders in the 1920s, its most recent occupant was an Indonesian restaurant. But recent is a relative term—the spot has been empty since 2003, when SARS (and falling sales) took its toll. It's a tragedy that such a spot has remained vacant for so long, but better late than never we say.