Malaysia is known to the world for its beautiful beaches, great food, and impressive architecture like the Petronas Twin Towers, the Khoo Kongsi house in Penang, and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building...
Photo via Twitter (Skyscrapers KL)
...and soon, this new skyscraper situated between Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara will be Malaysia’s tallest building (even taller than the Petronas Twin Towers!).
Merdeka 118, also known as PNB 118 is owned and developed by one of the largest fund management companies in Malaysia, Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB).
Set to be the second tallest building in the world, Merdeka 118 measures 678.9 meters right after the world’s tallest building, the Burj Khalifa in Dubai at 828 meters.
Photo via Twitter (Skyscrapers KL)
According to the New Straits Times, former PNB President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Jalil Rasheed said that the construction of the building was halted during the first three phases of the MCO.
“We have got seven floors more to go on the central core structure. There could be an additional two to three months extension of the construction period.”
The skyscraper is now 50% complete, reaching 111 floors prior to the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) on 18 March.
The design of the building is inspired by the silhouette of Tun Abdul Rahman’s iconic hand-raise while chanting ‘Merdeka’ seven times back in 1957, which commemorates one of Malaysia’s iconic moments - Hari Merdeka.
Photo via Twitter (Skyscrapers KL)
The tower’s base is modeled from the diamond-shaped motifs of Malay Songket, while the rest of the building is covered in glass from top to bottom making it look like a giant piece of crystal.
This stunning building is designed by Australian firm Fender Katsalidis Architects, the same firm behind the Eureka Tower in Melbourne, Australia.
The first and second phase is predicted to complete by 2021, while the third phase will only be completed in 2024.
We’re so excited to see Merdeka 118 once it’s completed! It’s going to be so cantik!
By: Aishah Akashah Ahadiat
