The road was named after one of the Governors of Penang in the early 19th century.[1] Originally a dirt track, the eastern section of Macalister Road has become urbanised as part of the city centre. Notably, the westernmost section of Macalister Road still retains a quieter, greener character, with mature Angsana trees providing shade along this particular section of the road.[2]
During the colonial era, the Europeans tended to build their residences at Macalister Road.[3] Tall Angsana trees were planted along the westernmost section of Macalister Road by Charles Curtis, who was the curator of the Penang Botanic Gardens in the late 19th century.[4] In addition to the Angsana trees, a baobab tree, planted by Captain Speedy, was planted at this section of Macalister Road as well and still remains at the same spot to this day; it is one of the only three baobab trees in Penang.[2]
Among the European residences at this particular stretch of Macalister Road are the Mayfair, Union Villa and Seri Teratai, the latter of which is the official residence of the Chief Minister of Penang.[2]St. George's Girls School, one of the premier English schools in Penang, was relocated to its present grounds at this stretch of Macalister Road in 1954.
Further east, the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, named after King Edward VII who was the British monarch between 1901 and 1910, was completed in 1915. This maternity hospital was in operation until 1955; the building now houses a branch of the Penang State Museum and Art Gallery.[5]
In 2013, a thunderstorm led to the collapse of the spire of Menara Umno, a high-rise at the eastern section of Macalister Road.[6][7]
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