KUALA LUMPUR: Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) has achieved a significant milestone in the construction of its Merdeka 118 after reaching its peak at level 118.
Its subsidiary, PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd (PMVSB), said the Merdeka 118 became the tallest building in Malaysia, signifying the completion of the final roof slab.
Upon completion in 2022, the tower will reach its full height of at least 644 metres and set to be the tallest building in Southeast Asia.
The tower covers over 3.0 million sq ft of floor area, comprising 1.66 million square feet of net lettable area (NLA) of Grade-A office space and about 1.0 million sq ft of retail space.
Merdeka 118 had incorporated several outstanding features into the tower, including 'The View at 118' Observation Deck, which will be the highest in Southeast Asia.
The tower will also be the first and only Park Hyatt Hotel in Malaysia, occupying the top 17 floors.
President and group chief executive Ahmad Zulqarnain Onn said Merdeka 118 tower has safely 'topped out' by reaching the final roof slab at its peak of Level 118.
"This is a significant milestone in the tower's construction significantly adds to the already distinctive Kuala Lumpur skyline.
"Our thanks to everyone involved in this project, especially those who have worked tirelessly towards this important achievement," he said in a statement today.
Ahmad Zulqarnain said the tower is currently 81 per cent completed, with the installation of the glass facade in progress at Level 108.
"Despite experiencing a delay due to restrictions from the Movement Control Order (MCO) implemented last year, we can top out within our revised timeline," he added.
The Merdeka 118 precinct will also feature a textile museum focusing on Malay-world textile, a purpose-built childcare centre for children under the age of seven years old and Masjid Merdeka, a new mosque with a capacity of up to 3,000 people.
Seamlessly connected to the tower are exciting retail opportunities at 118 Mall, surrounded by four acres of greenery and open spaces for the community to enjoy in 'Merdeka Boulevard at 118' park and three premium residential towers encircling the office tower.
Merdeka 118 development sits within the historical enclave of downtown Kuala Lumpur.
The tower overlooks two national historical landmarks – Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara – reflecting the incredible union between the historic and contemporary architecture in the precinct.
As the sole custodian of the two stadiums, PNB has taken meticulous care in maintaining and preserving the nation's historical heritage to create a balanced representation of Malaysia's rich history, its evolution and its future.