Project Overview
| Type | Mixed-use |
| Location | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia |
| Developer | PNB Merdeka Ventures, a subsidiary of Permodalan |
| Site Area | 40 acres |
| Key Components | Menara Merdeka 118, retail mall, Grade-A offices, hotel, and three residential towers |
| Tower Height | 678.9m |
| Number of Floors | 118 |
| Construction Start | November 2015 |
| Completed | January 2024 |
The Merdeka 118 precinct is a mixed-use development comprising Menara Merdeka 118, a retail mall, and three residential towers within a historically significant area of Kuala Lumpur. Developed by PNB Merdeka Ventures, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), the project forms part of a broader vision to integrate commerce, culture, and community within a single destination.
The precinct is located within a historical enclave, where approximately half of the 40-acre site comprises the heritage landmarks Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara, which were gazetted as national monuments in 2005.
PNB Merdeka Ventures undertook restoration works to return Stadium Merdeka to its 1957 condition. The restoration was performed in collaboration with Badan Warisan Malaysia and Jabatan Warisan Negara. The project received recognition through the UNESCO Award of Excellence for Cultural Heritage Conservation.
Menara Merdeka 118, standing at 678.9 metres, was officially inaugurated in January 2024 and is recognised as the world’s second-tallest building, next only to Burj Khalifa. Its form is inspired by the outstretched hand gesture of Tunku Abdul Rahman during Malaysia’s independence declaration in 1957, reinforcing the project’s connection to the adjacent Stadium Merdeka. The tower features more than 80 floors of premium Grade A office space, alongside an observation deck that is the highest in Southeast Asia, as well as hospitality offerings at its uppermost levels.
Connectivity and urban integration
The precinct is designed to function as a highly accessible urban node. It benefits from connectivity through multiple public transport systems, including LRT, MRT, and Monorail networks.
Infrastructure upgrades such as the Belfield Tunnel enhance vehicular access, while the site incorporates parking facilities with nine entry points and seven exits to manage traffic flow.
The broader development approach aims to integrate the precinct with surrounding neighbourhoods, supporting a mix of commercial, residential, retail, and cultural activities.
Retail podium at Merdeka 118 precinct
The retail component of the Merdeka 118 development is a multi-level mall integrated within the tower’s podium. Designed as a seven-storey retail destination, the mall forms a key part of the precinct’s mixed-use offering, bringing together retail, lifestyle, dining, and entertainment functions within a single environment.
The design incorporates a large skylit dome that allows natural daylight to penetrate deep into the interior spaces, shaping the spatial experience while supporting energy efficiency objectives.
The 140,000m2 (1.5 million ft2) mall accommodates a broad mix of uses, including retail stores, food and beverage outlets, entertainment spaces, and event areas. Its layout is conceived to integrate with the wider development, acting as a connector between the tower, surrounding public spaces, and transport infrastructure. Located within a historically significant part of Kuala Lumpur, the retail podium also aligns with the precinct’s broader objective of combining commercial activity with cultural and urban context.
Residential towers at Merdeka 118 precinct
In addition to the tower and retail podium, the Merdeka 118 precinct includes three residential towers that form part of its broader mixed-use programme. These residential components are planned to complement the commercial and hospitality functions of the development, contributing to a more continuous, mixed-use urban environment. Integrated with the precinct’s transport connectivity and retail offerings, the residential towers are positioned to support long-term urban activation while extending the live-work-play framework within a historically significant part of Kuala Lumpur.
Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur at Merdeka 118
The upper floors of Menara Merdeka 118 house Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, marking the brand’s entry into the Malaysian market.
The hotel comprises 252 rooms, including 27 suites, and is positioned at one of the highest vantage points in the city. The accommodation integrates contemporary design with references to Malaysian heritage, while offering panoramic views of the urban skyline.
Merdeka 118 architecture and design details
The architectural expression of Menara Merdeka 118 is defined by its multi-faceted, diamond-shaped form, articulated through a complex façade system that reinforces its verticality while responding to light and context. The design draws from cultural references, including traditional Malaysian songket patterns, translating them into a contemporary high-rise language. Its form is further shaped by symbolic intent, reflecting the outstretched hand gesture associated with Malaysia’s declaration of independence, linking the tower visually and conceptually to the adjacent Stadium Merdeka.
Structurally, the tower integrates a reinforced concrete core with perimeter mega columns and a series of outrigger systems that provide stability against wind forces while enabling slender proportions. This integration of structure and form allows the building to achieve its height while maintaining usable floor space and spatial efficiency.
The façade system incorporates unitised curtain wall assemblies and advanced cladding technologies, contributing to both performance and visual identity. The faceted geometry creates a dynamic external appearance, allowing the building to shift in character depending on light conditions and viewing angles.
At its crown, a 160-metre spire extends the tower’s vertical expression and establishes a distinct presence within Kuala Lumpur’s skyline. Beyond its visual role, the spire is engineered to respond to wind-induced movement, combining architectural intent with structural performance.
Interior spaces across the development are conceived to balance scale with material richness. The tower’s lobby areas are defined by large volumes and a restrained material palette, while the retail podium introduces a contrasting spatial experience shaped by a skylit dome that draws natural light deep into the interior. Across hospitality and commercial components, interior design integrates contemporary finishes with references to local context, contributing to a cohesive design language across the precinct.
Architects and designers for the Merdeka 118 Precinct
Architectural design for the tower was led by Fender Katsalidis in association with RSP Architects, forming part of the project’s broader consultant team.
Buchan was appointed as the design architect and interior designer for the retail podium within the Merdeka 118 development, alongside local delivery partners including GDP Architects. Buchan worked in collaboration with the design stakeholders to deliver the seven-storey mall, which incorporates a skylit dome. Its role focused on shaping the spatial and experiential aspects of the retail component within the broader mixed-use precinct.
Sustainability strategy and Triple Platinum targets
Merdeka 118 is a megatall development with a strong sustainability framework. The tower has achieved LEED Platinum certification and is targeting additional platinum ratings under Green Building Index (GBI), Green Real Estate (GreenRE), and WELL standards.
Its sustainability strategy is reflected in a range of integrated features. The development incorporates rainwater harvesting and grey water recycling systems to support non-potable uses such as landscaping and lavatories. Site planning has been undertaken to manage stormwater effectively, while also reducing erosion and supporting biodiversity within the precinct. During both construction and ongoing operations, measures have been implemented to control dust, noise, and pollution, ensuring compliance with environmental standards.
The building design also prioritises energy efficiency through extensive glazed façades that maximise natural daylight, thereby reducing reliance on artificial lighting. In addition, solar photovoltaic systems have been integrated to generate electricity and support water heating, contributing to reduced dependence on non-renewable energy sources.
The development is further aligned with sustainable finance mechanisms. PNB Merdeka Ventures was an early adopter of the ASEAN Green Bond Standards and issued an ASEAN Green SRI Sukuk programme to support environmentally focused investments.
Contractors involved in the Merdeka 118 project
The delivery of the Merdeka 118 development was undertaken through a coordinated network of international contractors, specialist firms, and project management consultants. The main construction works for the tower were executed by a joint venture (JV) between Samsung C&T and UEM Construction. The JV was responsible for constructing the 118-storey megatall tower under complex engineering and climatic conditions, including tropical weather patterns and high-altitude construction challenges.
Project and construction management responsibilities across the wider development, which includes the tower, retail mall, residential components, and infrastructure works, were handled by Turner Construction. The firm acted as project management consultant and coordinated execution across multiple workstreams over the course of the development.
Specialist contracting roles were distributed among several firms. VSL was awarded the contract to erect the tower’s spire and delivered the design, supply, installation, and operation of a heavy-lifting system along with a lateral control jacking system to guide the structure during installation at significant heights. Eversendai was engaged as the steelwork subcontractor and worked in coordination on the spire installation methodology.
For the retail component, WCT TSR Construction served as the main contractor responsible for the mall structure. Interior-related contracting included Eco Interior International, which undertook soundproofing works for the hotel, and Stone Empire, which handled the installation of stone finishes across key interior areas.
Substructure and early-stage engineering works were delivered by Pintaras Jaya, which carried out diaphragm wall construction, piling, and excavation. The building envelope and façade systems were engineered and installed by Permasteelisa Group, which delivered unitised curtain wall systems and advanced cladding solutions aligned with the tower’s architectural design.
Bouygues Construction contributed to the delivery ecosystem of Merdeka 118 through its engineering expertise associated with high-altitude spire installation works. The project required execution at extreme heights and under challenging monsoon conditions, including work platform elevations exceeding 600m. The engagement reflects the application of specialised engineering expertise in addressing high-altitude construction and logistical constraints on a megatall structure.
Engineering and technical consultants
Arup served as the civil and structural engineer of record for the Merdeka 118 tower, working in collaboration with the contractor and design team to deliver key engineering solutions. It contributed to the development of a high-performance concrete mix with enhanced pumpability, enabling efficient construction at extreme heights while improving structural performance and reducing material usage. Arup’s role also included geotechnical design and excavation strategies, ensuring minimal impact on the surrounding heritage structures through careful monitoring and engineering controls.
Robert Bird Group provided structural engineering services for the project, supporting the design and documentation of the tower’s structural framework. The firm worked in coordination with other consultants to develop the reinforced concrete and steel systems, including mega columns, outriggers, and core structures, contributing to overall stability and constructability.
Leslie E. Robertson Associates was involved in the structural engineering scope of the Merdeka 118 tower. The firm contributed to the design and development of the building’s structural systems, working alongside other engineering consultants to support the tower’s performance under vertical and lateral loads associated with its height and configuration.
Key suppliers and technology providers for Merdeka 118
The Merdeka 118 project engaged a wide range of suppliers providing materials, systems, and specialised construction technologies to support its scale and technical requirements. Vertical transportation systems were delivered by KONE, which supplied a comprehensive package of elevators and escalators, including high-speed and double-deck systems integrated with destination control technologies to optimise people flow within the tower.
ArcelorMittal supplied heavy steel sections in HISTAR®460/S460M grade, contributing to the structural framework of the building. Leviat provided structural connection systems including couplers and ducts that supported reinforcement continuity and structural integrity.
Interior finishing systems and construction chemicals were supplied by Mapei, which delivered adhesive systems for marble installations and soundproofing solutions for the hotel component, including low-emission materials aligned with sustainability objectives. Complementing this, Bostik supplied fire-rated sealants and flexible jointing systems used in construction joints and safety-critical applications.
Construction monitoring and formwork-related technologies included solutions from Doka, whose Concremote system enabled real-time monitoring of concrete temperature and strength development, supporting quality control during high-rise construction.
Building performance and environmental engineering inputs were supported by RWDI, which contributed wind engineering, building science, and occupant comfort analysis to ensure the tower’s performance under varying wind conditions and operational scenarios.
Neolith supplied large-format sintered stone slabs used across selected areas of the retail mall, including floors and wall applications. These materials were integrated into interior fit-outs as part of the finishing works, contributing to durability and performance requirements in high-traffic commercial environments.
