Rise of Merdeka 118: Malaysia’s Architectural Marvel

30 July 2024

This article was first published in The Edge Malaysia on 22 July 2024.

Merdeka 118, Malaysia's tallest building, stands as a towering symbol of the nation's progress and ambition on the global stage. Located at a historic site overlooking Stadium Merdeka, where Malaysia's independence was declared, this skyscraper beautifully melds historical significance with contemporary design. Sited within the prestigious Merdeka 118 precinct, the mixed-use development is built and owned by PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn. Berhad (PNBMV), a wholly owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB).

Merdeka 118 was inspired by Malaysia's first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj’s iconic hand gesture from 1957 during the declaration of the country’s independence, and the building features a multi-faceted diamond-shaped façade and a distinctive spire. It houses a dynamic mix of office spaces, hotels, and retail outlets, topped by Southeast Asia's highest observation deck. The iconic design is credited to Australian architect Fender Katsalidis who teamed up with the global multidisciplinary architectural and engineering design group, RSP.

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