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Global
Height rank
Height rank
Merdeka 118
Kuala Lumpur
- CTBUH Drawing
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Metrics
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Height
1
To Tip:
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest point of the building, irrespective of material or function of the highest element (i.e., including antennae, flagpoles, signage and other functional-technical equipment).
680.5 m
/ 2,233 ft
2
Architectural:
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the architectural top of the building, including spires, but not including antennae, signage, flag poles or other functional-technical equipment. This measurement is the most widely utilized and is employed to define the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) rankings of the "World's Tallest Buildings."
678.9 m
/ 2,227 ft
3
Occupied:
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to the highest occupied floor within the building.
502.8 m
/ 1,650 ft
1
2
3
Floors
Above Ground
The number of floors above ground should include the ground floor level and be the number of main floors above ground, including any significant mezzanine floors and major mechanical plant floors. Mechanical mezzanines should not be included if they have a significantly smaller floor area than the major floors below. Similarly, mechanical penthouses or plant rooms protruding above the general roof area should not be counted. Note: CTBUH floor counts may differ from published accounts, as it is common in some regions of the world for certain floor levels not to be included (e.g., the level 4, 14, 24, etc. in Hong Kong).
118
Below Ground
The number of floors below ground should include all major floors located below the ground floor level.
5
Height
678.9 m
/ 2,227 ft
Floors
118
Official Name
The current legal building name.
Merdeka 118
Other Names
Other names the building has commonly been known as, including former names, common informal names,
local names, etc.
Heritage of Independence, Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur, KL118 Tower, Menara Warisan Merdeka, PNB Headquarters, Merdeka PNB118
Type
CTBUH collects data on two major types of tall structures: 'Buildings' and 'Telecommunications /
Observation Towers.' A 'Building' is a structure where at least 50% of the height is occupied by usable
floor area. A 'Telecommunications / Observation Tower' is a structure where less than 50% of the
structure's height is occupied by usable floor area. Only 'Buildings' are eligible for the CTBUH
'Tallest Buildings' lists.
Building
Status
Completed
Architecturally Topped Out
Structurally Topped Out
Under Construction
Proposed
On Hold
Never Completed
Vision
Competition Entry
Canceled
Proposed Renovation
Under Renovation
Renovated
Under Demolition
Demolished
Completed
Completion
2023
Country
The CTBUH follows the United Nations's definition of Country, and thus
uses the lists and codes established by that organization.
City
The CTBUH follows the United Nations's definition of City, and thus uses the
lists and codes established by that organization.
Address
Function
A single-function tall building is defined as one where 85% or more of its usable floor area is
dedicated to a single usage. Thus a building with 90% office floor area would be said to be an
"office" building, irrespective of other minor functions it may also contain.
A mixed-use tall building contains two or more functions (or uses), where each of the functions occupy a significant proportion of the tower's total space. Support areas such as car parks and mechanical plant space do not constitute mixed-use functions. Functions are denoted on CTBUH "Tallest Building" lists in descending order, e.g., "hotel/office" indicates hotel function above office function.
A mixed-use tall building contains two or more functions (or uses), where each of the functions occupy a significant proportion of the tower's total space. Support areas such as car parks and mechanical plant space do not constitute mixed-use functions. Functions are denoted on CTBUH "Tallest Building" lists in descending order, e.g., "hotel/office" indicates hotel function above office function.
Hotel / Serviced Apartments / Office
Structural Material
All-Steel
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from steel. Note that a building of steel construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of steel beams is still considered an “all-steel” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.
All-Concrete
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from concrete which has been cast in place and utilizes steel reinforcement bars and/or steel reinforced concrete which has been precast as individual components and assembled together on-site.
All-Timber
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from timber. An all-timber structure may include the use of localized non-timber connections between timber elements. Note that a building of timber construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of timber beams is still considered an “all-timber” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.
Mixed-Structure
Utilizes distinct systems (e.g. all-steel, all-concrete, all-timber), one on top of the other. For example, a Steel Over Concrete indicates an all-steel structural system located on top of an all-concrete structural system, with the opposite true of Concrete Over Steel.
Composite
A combination of materials (e.g. steel, concrete, timber) are used together in the main structural elements. Examples include buildings which utilize: steel columns with a floor system of reinforced concrete beams; a steel frame system with a concrete core; concrete-encased steel columns; concrete-filled steel tubes; etc. Where known, the CTBUH database breaks out the materials used within a composite building’s primary structural elements.
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from steel. Note that a building of steel construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of steel beams is still considered an “all-steel” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.
All-Concrete
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from concrete which has been cast in place and utilizes steel reinforcement bars and/or steel reinforced concrete which has been precast as individual components and assembled together on-site.
All-Timber
Both the main vertical/lateral structural elements and the floor spanning systems are constructed from timber. An all-timber structure may include the use of localized non-timber connections between timber elements. Note that a building of timber construction with a floor system of concrete planks or concrete slab on top of timber beams is still considered an “all-timber” structure as the concrete elements are not acting as the primary structure.
Mixed-Structure
Utilizes distinct systems (e.g. all-steel, all-concrete, all-timber), one on top of the other. For example, a Steel Over Concrete indicates an all-steel structural system located on top of an all-concrete structural system, with the opposite true of Concrete Over Steel.
Composite
A combination of materials (e.g. steel, concrete, timber) are used together in the main structural elements. Examples include buildings which utilize: steel columns with a floor system of reinforced concrete beams; a steel frame system with a concrete core; concrete-encased steel columns; concrete-filled steel tubes; etc. Where known, the CTBUH database breaks out the materials used within a composite building’s primary structural elements.
Concrete-Steel Composite
Energy Label
GBI Platinum targeted, GreenRE Platinum targeted, LEED Platinum BD+C: Core and Shell
Height
Architectural
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to
the architectural top of the building, including spires, but not including antennae, signage,
flag poles or other functional-technical equipment. This measurement is the most widely utilized
and is employed to define the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH) rankings of
the "World's Tallest Buildings."
678.9 m / 2,227 ft
To Tip
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to
the highest point of the building, irrespective of material or function of the highest element
(i.e., including antennae, flagpoles, signage and other functional-technical equipment).
680.5 m
/ 2,233 ft
Occupied
Height is measured from the level of the lowest, significant, open-air, pedestrian entrance to
the highest occupied floor within the building.
502.8 m
/ 1,650 ft
Observatory
494.2 m
/ 1,621 ft
Floors Above Ground
The number of floors above ground should include the ground floor level and be the number of main
floors above ground, including any significant mezzanine floors and major mechanical plant floors.
Mechanical mezzanines should not be included if they have a significantly smaller floor area than
the major floors below. Similarly, mechanical penthouses or plant rooms protruding above the general
roof area should not be counted. Note: CTBUH floor counts may differ from published accounts, as it
is common in some regions of the world for certain floor levels not to be included (e.g., the level
4, 14, 24, etc. in Hong Kong).
118
Floors Below Ground
The number of floors below ground should include all major floors located below the ground floor
level.
5
# of Apartments
Number of Apartments refers to the total number of residential units (including both rental units
and condominiums) contained within a particular building.
30
# of Hotel Rooms
Number of Hotel Rooms refers to the total number of hotel rooms contained within a particular
building.
202
# of Elevators
Number of Elevators refers to the total number of elevator cars (not shafts) contained within a
particular building (including public, private and freight elevators).
87
Top Elevator Speed
Top Elevator Speed refers to the top speed capable of being achieved by an elevator within a
particular building, measured in meters per second.
10 m/s
Tower GFA
Tower GFA refers to the total gross floor area within the tower footprint, not including adjoining
podiums, connected buildings or other towers within the development.
292,000 m² / 3,143,062 ft²
Rankings
-
By function
You must be a CTBUH Member to view this resource.
-
By material
You must be a CTBUH Member to view this resource.
#
2
Tallest in the World
#
1
Tallest in
Asia
#
1
Tallest in
Malaysia
#
1
Tallest in
Kuala Lumpur
Construction Schedule
2010
Proposed
2014
Construction Start
2023
Completed
Owner
Architect
Design
Usually involved in the front end design, with a "typical" condition being that of a leadership role through either Schematic Design or Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Architect of Record
Usually takes on the balance of the architectural effort not executed by the "Design Architect," typically responsible for the construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc. May often be referred to as "Executive," "Associate," or "Local" Architect, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Architect of Record" exclusively.
Structural Engineer
Design
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Engineer of Record
The Engineer of Record takes the balance of the engineering effort not executed by the “Design Engineer,” typically responsible for construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc.
Peer Review
The Peer Review Engineer traditionally comments on the information produced by another party, and to render second opinions, but not to initiate what the design looks like from the start.
Project Manager
The CTBUH lists a project manager when a specific firm has been commissioned to oversee this aspect of a tall building’s design/construction. When the project management efforts are handled by the developer, main contract, or architect, this field will be omitted.
The CTBUH lists a project manager when a specific firm has been commissioned to oversee this aspect of a tall building’s design/construction. When the project management efforts are handled by the developer, main contract, or architect, this field will be omitted.
Contractor
Main Contractor
The main contractor is the supervisory contractor of all construction work on a project, management of sub-contractors and vendors, etc. May be referred to as "Construction Manager," however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Main Contractor" exclusively.
Façade
Other Consultant
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Civil
Façade
These are firms that consult on the design of a building's façade. May often be referred to as "Cladding," "Envelope," "Exterior Wall," or "Curtain Wall" Consultant, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Façade Consultant" exclusively.
Lighting
Vertical Transportation
Material Supplier
Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).
Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).
Elevator
Formwork
Sealants
Steel
You must be a CTBUH Member to view this resource.
Owner
Developer
Permodalan Nasional Berhad
Architect
Design
Usually involved in the front end design, with a "typical" condition being that of a leadership role through either Schematic Design or Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Architect of Record
Usually takes on the balance of the architectural effort not executed by the "Design Architect," typically responsible for the construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc. May often be referred to as "Executive," "Associate," or "Local" Architect, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Architect of Record" exclusively.
Structural Engineer
Design
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Engineer of Record
The Engineer of Record takes the balance of the engineering effort not executed by the “Design Engineer,” typically responsible for construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc.
Peer Review
The Peer Review Engineer traditionally comments on the information produced by another party, and to render second opinions, but not to initiate what the design looks like from the start.
MEP Engineer
Design
The Design Engineer is usually involved in the front end design, typically taking the leadership role in the Schematic Design and Design Development, and then a monitoring role through the CD and CA phases.
Lehr Consultants International
Engineer of Record
The Engineer of Record takes the balance of the engineering effort not executed by the “Design Engineer,” typically responsible for construction documents, conforming to local codes, etc.
KTA Tenaga Sdn Bhd
Project Manager
The CTBUH lists a project manager when a specific firm has been commissioned to oversee this aspect of a tall building’s design/construction. When the project management efforts are handled by the developer, main contract, or architect, this field will be omitted.
The CTBUH lists a project manager when a specific firm has been commissioned to oversee this aspect of a tall building’s design/construction. When the project management efforts are handled by the developer, main contract, or architect, this field will be omitted.
Contractor
Main Contractor
The main contractor is the supervisory contractor of all construction work on a project, management of sub-contractors and vendors, etc. May be referred to as "Construction Manager," however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Main Contractor" exclusively.
UEM Builders Berhad; Samsung C&T Corporation
Façade
Steel
Eversendai Engineering
Other Consultant
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Other Consultant refers to other organizations which provided significant consultation services for a building project (e.g. wind consultants, environmental consultants, fire and life safety consultants, etc).
Civil
Façade
These are firms that consult on the design of a building's façade. May often be referred to as "Cladding," "Envelope," "Exterior Wall," or "Curtain Wall" Consultant, however, for consistency CTBUH uses the term "Façade Consultant" exclusively.
Interiors
G.A. Brand Design
Landscape
Fluidity Design Consultants; Sasaki Associates; Pentago Landscape Sdn Bhd
Lighting
Lightwave Lighting Design Sdn Bhd; Fisher Marantz Stone
Marketing
Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Wordsearch
Stormwater Management
Fast Flow Systems Pte Ltd
Sustainability
CTG Energetics, Inc.; KAER; Terrapin Bright Green
Vertical Transportation
Way Finding
G.A. Brand Design
Material Supplier
Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).
Material Supplier refers to organizations which supplied significant systems/materials for a building project (e.g. elevator suppliers, facade suppliers, etc).
Aluminium
Guangdong JMA Aluminium Profile Factory (Group) Co., Ltd.
Concrete
YTL Corporation Berhad
Crane
FAVCO
Elevator
Formwork
Paint/Coating
Jotun
Sealants
Steel
CTBUH Awards & Distinctions
Structure Award 2024 Award of Excellence
2024 CTBUH Awards
Best Tall Building, by Height, 300 meters and above 2025 Award of Excellence
2025 CTBUH Awards
Best Tall Building, by Region, Asia 2025 Award of Excellence
2025 CTBUH Awards
CTBUH Initiatives
Vertical Transportation: Ascent & Acceleration
12 September 2017 - CTBUH Research
Skyscraper Summit Warms Sydney Up for CTBUH 2017
18 August 2017 - Event
Videos
22 May 2018 | Kuala Lumpur
Five Minutes With: Karl Fender
Karl Fender, founding partner at Fender Katsalidis, sat down with CTBUH to discuss a number of his firm's projects, including the PNB 118 Tower in...
Research
28 December 2019
Tall Buildings of the Future as Seen From the Present
SawTeen See, Robert Bird Group Pty Ltd
Aerodynamic damping through the use of vertical long slots reduces the dynamic component of the wind loads on the building. Seminal examples include the three-legged...
Global News
08 June 2021
Merdeka 118 Tower Tops Out in Kuala Lumpur
Permodalan Nasional Bhd’s (PNB) Merdeka 118 tower has safely topped out with the completion of the final roof slab after reaching its peak at level...
About Merdeka 118
At a height of 678.9 meters, the structure comprises a dual lateral load-resisting system consisting of the concrete walls of the services core coupled by outrigger trusses to the perimeter bracing of mega-columns, sloping columns, and belt trusses. The mega-columns and core walls in this building are reinforced concrete without embedded structural steel, except within the depth of the outrigger truss. This creative engineering reduced imported steel costs and the number of trades, coordination, and construction time needed.
CTBUH Awards & Distinctions
Structure Award 2024 Award of Excellence
2024 CTBUH Awards
Best Tall Building, by Height, 300 meters and above 2025 Award of Excellence
2025 CTBUH Awards
Best Tall Building, by Region, Asia 2025 Award of Excellence
2025 CTBUH Awards
Videos
22 May 2018 | Kuala Lumpur
Five Minutes With: Karl Fender
Karl Fender, founding partner at Fender Katsalidis, sat down with CTBUH to discuss a number of his firm's projects, including the PNB 118 Tower in...
31 October 2017 | Kuala Lumpur
Interview: Karl Fender
Karl Fender of Fender Katsalidis Architects is interviewed by Chris Bentley during the 2017 CTBUH Australia Conference.
18 October 2016 | Kuala Lumpur
CTBUH Video Interview – Hashimah Hashim
Hashimah Hashim of KLCC Property Holdings Berhad is interviewed by Chris Bentley during the 2016 CTBUH China Conference. Hashimah discusses the master planning and development...
17 October 2016 | Kuala Lumpur
Merdeka PNB118 Case Study: Adding Value to the Growing City
Monday October 17, 2016. Shenzhen, China. Karl Fender, Fender Katsalidis Architects, presents at the 2016 China Conference Session 4b: Other Asia Case Studies. Tall buildings...
17 October 2016 | Kuala Lumpur
Other Asia Case Studies Q&A
Monday, October 18, 2016. Shenzhen, China. Kipsan Beck of MahaNakhon, PACE and Karl Fender, of Fender Katsalidis Architects, answer questions at the end of 2016...
16 October 2016 | Kuala Lumpur
CTBUH Video Interview – Abrar Sheriff
Abrar Sheriff of Turner International is interviewed by Chris Bentley during the 2016 CTBUH China Conference. Abrar discusses the planning and construction process for supertall...
16 October 2016 | Kuala Lumpur
CTBUH Video Interview – Karl Fender
Karl Fender of Fender Katsalidis Architects is interviewed by Chris Bentley during the 2016 CTBUH China Conference. Karl discusses the design concept for Merdeka PNB118...
Research
28 December 2019
Tall Buildings of the Future as Seen From the Present
SawTeen See, Robert Bird Group Pty Ltd
Aerodynamic damping through the use of vertical long slots reduces the dynamic component of the wind loads on the building. Seminal examples include the three-legged...
17 October 2016
Cities to Megacities: Perspectives
CTBUH 2016 Conference Speakers
The CTBUH 2016 International Conference is being held in the three cities of the Pearl River Delta, the world’s largest “megacity,” projected to have 120...
17 October 2016
KL118 Case Study: Analysis of Different Bore Pile Testing Methods
Peter Ramstedt, Chien Jou Chen, Matthew Hennessy & David Terenzio, Turner International LLC
In the construction of tall towers a variety of pile testing methodologies are used. Piles can be tested for many purposes including the optimization of...
17 October 2016
Merdeka PNB118 Case Study: Adding Value to the Growing City
Karl Fender, Fender Katsalidis Architects; YM Tengku Dato’ Ab. Aziz Tengku Mahmud, PNB Merdeka Ventures SDN Berhad; Peter Ramstedt & David Terenzio Turner International LLC
Tall buildings embody objectives ranging from pure business to nation building. The KL118 Tower in particular represents these objectives and more as it successfully knits...
31 December 2014
Interactive Study on Year in Review: Tall Trends of 2014
Daniel Safarik, Antony Wood, Marty Carver & Marshall Gerometta, CTBUH
An All-Time Record 97 Buildings of 200 Meters or Higher Completed in 2014 and 2014 showed further shifts towards Asia, and also surprising developments in...
Global News
08 June 2021
Merdeka 118 Tower Tops Out in Kuala Lumpur
Permodalan Nasional Bhd’s (PNB) Merdeka 118 tower has safely topped out with the completion of the final roof slab after reaching its peak at level...
08 May 2020
Kuala Lumpur Skyscraper Construction Site Adjusts to Pandemic-Related Movement Control Order
Construction work at Permodalan Nasional Bhd’s (PNB) Merdeka 118 has been delayed by roughly two to three months due to restrictive measures taken to curb...
CTBUH Initiatives
Filter by
12 September 2017
Vertical Transportation: Ascent & Acceleration
CTBUH partnered with Guinness World Records to identify the commercial building with the fastest elevator speeds and longest vertical runs.
18 August 2017
Skyscraper Summit Warms Sydney Up for CTBUH 2017
A joint venture between the Urban Taskforce and CTBUH delivered a successful “warm-up” event in advance of the CTBUH 2017 Conference in Australia on August 18, 2017.
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