Over the past decade, Kuala Lumpur’s skyline has only gotten more and more interesting. One iconic building that has been added to the twinkling cityscape is none other than Merdeka 118.
Not just an architectural marvel but a symbol of progress and heritage, this record-breaking structure is poised to captivate locals and visitors alike.
Standing at 678.9 metre tall, Merdeka 118 is the world’s second-tallest building, placed just behind the Burj Khalifa in Dubai.
This also makes the building one of the world’s four “mega tall” skyscrapers, which is a term used to describe towers measuring over 600 meters.
Here are some fascinating facts about Malaysia’s tallest—and the world’s second-tallest—ahead of its opening.
1. The shape is inspired by… the silhouette of Tunku Abdul Rahman? Maybe?
That’s right, the tower’s shape is said to be inspired by the silhouette of Tunku Abdul Rahman, Malaysia’s first Prime Minister.
Who said that? Well, former prime minister Ismail Sabri in 2021. He compared the structure to the scene of our Prime Minister raising his hand to proclaim “Merdeka” seven times in 1957.
Mind you, the building is situated just some paces away from where that took place.
However, Fender Katsalidis, the architecture firm behind the project, says the building is inspired by patterns found in Malaysian arts and crafts, and speaks of the makeup of our nation.
“By articulating the tower’s structural pathways with a combination of differentiated glazing and internal illumination, its crystalline form reveals itself, day and night, as a unified composition of disparate facets, patterns and textures,” the architect’s website states.
“As such, it is both a metaphor for the myriad states, territories, ethnicities and cultures that comprise the Malaysian nation, and referential to the designs of its traditional arts and crafts.”
On that note, let’s talk about how…
2. It was designed by an Australian firm.
As mentioned, Fender Katsalidis is the architecture firm that designed Merdeka 118.
Before building this skyscraper, they’ve built up an impressive portfolio, comprising many iconic landmarks in Melbourne. This includes Argus Centre, World Tower, The Eureka Tower, Australia 108, and so many more.
It’s reported that they were asked by the project’s owner—more on that later—to design the design the mixed-use tower.
3. A unique concrete was developed just for this.
Of course, it’s important to give the engineers behind this build their flowers, too.
Arup was chosen as the civil and structural engineer of record, working with the local firm, RSP Architects, jointly with Fender Katsalidis.
“We brought a number of innovations to the design of this mixed-use tower, in collaboration with the contractor, SUJV,” Arup stated on their website. “We co-developed a unique high-performance concrete (HPC) with record-breaking pumpability that enhanced the tower’s overall constructability.”
They added that it enabled more usable premium space for the client and saved hundreds of tonnes of structural steel, reducing both environmental impact and cost.
Leslie E. Robertson Associates and Robert Bird Group were also structural consultants on the project.
A consulting engineering firm, Robert Bird Group also hails from Australia. Meanwhile, Leslie E. Robertson Associates was founded by the eponymous engineer who was the lead structural engineer of iconic buildings such as the Twin Towers of the original World Trade Center in New York.
4. The building pushed the limits of the software used to design it.
During a sharing session by Hungarian company Graphisoft, we learned that their Building Information Model software, Archicad, was used by Fender Katsalidis in the design of Merdeka 118.
The team at Graphisoft said that Fender Katsalidis worked closely with them, as the intricacies of the building was quite demanding on the software.
It’s so interesting to learn how the development of this building actually hastened and sparked the improvement of other creations.
5. The retail centre may feature a “dramatic multi-storey water feature” with an interactive screen.
Malaysia does love its malls. Much like Suria KLCC or The Exchange TRX, there’ll also be a mall at Merdeka 118. Specifically, it will occupy the seven-storey glass dome located by the base of the skyscraper.
The name of the mall is supposedly “118 Mall”, and it’s reportedly set to open in 2025.
With so many notable brands debuting in Malaysia through The Exchange TRX, we’re super curious to know what sorts of businesses will be setting up shop there.
According to a now-archived website by Merdeka 118, it was announced that the mall was feature something called The Raincloud, a dramatic multi-storey water feature with an interactive screen offering customised messages for shoppers.
There may also be a “Malaysian Artisanal District”, a curated retail floor dedicated to Malaysian cuisine and heritage products.
6. It’s a “triple threat” in terms of sustainability.
With a building this scale, you may think that it would produce a lot of waste.
But actually, the building is the first in Malaysia to receive a triple-platinum rating from the Green Building Index, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), and the WELL Building Standard.
It’s assuring to know that a building of this scale and status was built with sustainability in mind.
7. Park Hyatt will likely be the tallest hotel in Malaysia.
It’s reported that Park Hyatt will be occupy the top floors of Merdeka 118. This will likely make it the tallest hotel in Malaysia, as the current title goes to Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur.
It will also be one of the highest hotels in the world.
Park Hyatt is deemed as Hyatt’s group top-tier luxury hotel brand, offering fine dining and residential-style accommodation. Yes, it’s considered even more luxurious than Grand Hyatt. In fact, we heard (from the architect’s website) that it’s not just a five-star location, but six.
Combining the hotel brand’s expertise and the prime location, just how luxe and impressive will those rooms be?
The thought of it is making us very, very excited (and maybe, just a little scared).
According to Park Hyatt’s website, it’s expected to open in Q2 of 2025.
8. It was fully funded by PNB with RM5 billion and was supported by two sukuk funds.
At this point, you might be wondering why the building exists in the first place.
Well, that credit goes to Tengku Datuk Ab. Aziz Tengku Mahmud, the CEO of PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd (PNBMV), owner and builder of the mega skyscraper.
According to The Star, he “spearheaded the project planning, concept and schematic design, procurement, construction and the overall implementation of the project components within Merdeka 118 precinct.”
It’s been reported by numerous sites that the PNB had invested some RM5 billion into the construction of the building.
According to an article by NST, the equity injection for the project is obtained by PNB’s proprietary fund, with development funded by the issuances of two sukuk funds in 2016, Sukuk SRI Hijau Merdeka Asean programme and Sukuk Murabahah Merdeka.
Sukuk are financial products where the terms and structures are shariah-compliant, with the intention of creating returns similar to those of conventional fixed-income instruments like bonds.
However, on Fender Katsalidis’ website, the cost is listed as “confidential”.
An icon of hope
When I left Malaysia to pursue my tertiary education in 2018, the Merdeka 118 project was something completely unknown to me.
Yet, when I returned years later, I was stunned to see this magnificent building along with others, such as TRX, emerge along the city skyline.
It’s such a marvel to me—and I’m sure, many others around the nation and world—that Malaysia is home to these architectural creations that push the envelope on what’s possible.
You might have your own opinions on its beauty and value, but I for one think that it’s a symbol of what Malaysia is capable of.
It’s said for a while now that public access to Merdeka 118 building will be given by the end of 2024, but the mall is expected to open in Q3 of 2025.
There hasn’t been many updates so far on this timeline, but we’re keeping our eyes peeled. Will you be part of the crowd that visits the mall on opening day?
Learn more about Merdeka 118 here.
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