Standing tall, these buildings are symbols of modern Malaysia.
There’s something about towering structures that strikes awe and wonder in our hearts. Think the Burj al-Khalifa in Dubai, New York’s Empire State Building, or the Eiffel Tower in Paris. In conjunction with World Skyscraper Day on September 3, we take a look at five iconic skyscrapers that has shaped the skyline of Malaysian cities, and that every visitor to the country should not miss.
PETRONAS TWIN TOWERS
We can’t have a list of iconic skyscrapers without including the Petronas Twin Towers.
A symbol of modern Malaysia, they were once the tallest buildings in the world (from 1998 – 2004), and still hold the record for being the world’s tallest twin buildings. As KL’s most photographed landmark, the towers are a sight to behold, with distinctive spires and a connecting skybridge. Most of the 88 floors are occupied by offices, and at the feet of the towers visitors will find Suria KLCC, an upscale shopping mall.
Did you know?
- The buildings’ foundations extend over 114 metres into the ground.
- The towers have appeared in numerous films in popular culture, including Independence Day: Resurgence where they were dropped onto the London Tower Bridge by aliens.
KL TOWER
Almost as popular as the Twin Towers is Menara Kuala Lumpur, a regular fixture of the KL skyline. It was built in 1994 to serve as a communications tower, and at 421 metres high, is one of the world’s tallest freestanding towers. Rich in both modern and Islamic architecture, the lobby features Iranian-inspired glass-clad domes that resemble large diamonds; while Arabic scripts, Islamic tiles and floral and abstract patterns can be seen throughout the building. The tower’s ‘stem’ holds an elevator and a stairwell to reach the upper area, where visitors will find a viewing deck and a revolving restaurant.
Did you know?
The tower hosts an ‘International Towerthon Challenge’ annually, where participants race up its 2,058 steps to the top.
MENARA TM
Menara TM, or the Telekom Tower in KL bears a striking resemblance to the one owned by Tony Stark, aka Ironman – and the company knows it too! During the release of the recent Avengers: Infinity War film, TM did a promotional collaboration with Marvel Malaysia to project the Avengers logo onto the Telekom Tower. Opened in 2003, the building was actually designed to look like a sprouting bamboo shoot, and is over 310 metres tall, making it the third tallest building in Malaysia.
Did you know?
There are 22 open ‘sky gardens’ on the building’s exterior, alternating every three floors.
KOMTAR
Long before Penang welcomed its sky-high apartments and modern lofts, there was Komtar. Completed in 1986, it was the first skyscraper on the island and still holds the title of tallest building in Penang. The 249-metre structure can be seen from miles around, making it a useful navigation point for tourists, and houses a multipurpose complex, various retail and entertainment outlets as well as government offices. Thrill seekers can take a walk on the outdoor Rainbow Skywalk – the highest glass skywalk in Malaysia – on its top floor, or try the world’s highest rope course at The Gravityz, located on the 65th floor.
Did you know?
Komtar is named after the second Prime Minister of Malaysia. The name is an acronym for Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak.
BERJAYA TIMES SQUARE
Most can immediately point out the Petronas Twin Towers, but KL has another impressive set of twins. Comprising two towers, each 203 metres high, Berjaya Times Square exudes serious Gotham City vibes, and would not look out of place in a Batman movie. The buildings are home to a five-star hotel, luxury serviced apartments, offices, food and entertainment outlets and a massive shopping center and indoor amusement park.
Did you know?
Berjaya Times Square has over 700,000 square metres of built-up floor area, ranking 10 on the world list. That’s almost three times as big as Washington’s Capitol building!
