2
Global
Height rank

Merdeka 118

Kuala Lumpur
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 Merdeka 118
  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.

Malaysia

City
The CTBUH follows the United Nations's definition of City, and thus uses the lists and codes established by that organization.

Kuala Lumpur

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.

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.

Concrete-Steel Composite

Energy Label

GBI Certified; LEED Certified

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

#
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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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).

Elevator
Formwork
Sealants
Dow
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.

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.

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
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).

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
Pentago Landscape Sdn Bhd
Marketing
Hyatt Hotels Corporation; Wordsearch
Stormwater Management
Fast Flow Systems Pte Ltd
Sustainability
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).

Aluminium
Guangdong JMA Aluminium Profile Factory (Group) Co., Ltd.
Elevator
Formwork
Paint/Coating
Jotun
Sealants
Dow

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.