When most people think of the tallest buildings in Malaysia, the Petronas Twin Towers immediately comes to mind. The iconic towers have long been the standard bearer for tall buildings in Asia. However, they have since been topped by another skyscraper that is now the country’s tallest building. Malaysia has a rich history when it comes to skyscrapers with a few new projects set to join some familiar buildings.
The tallest buildings in Malaysia
Tallest Building
The Exchange 106
Office
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Height: 492 meters (1,614 feet)
Completed: 2019
The Exchange 106 is now Malaysia’s tallest building, surpassing the world-famous Petronas Twin Towers. The 106-floor office tower is the centerpiece of Tun Razak Exchange, a 70-acre complex that will soon become Kuala Lumpur’s new CBD as well as Malaysia’s International Financial District. Tun Razak Exchange won Best Integrated Development at the Dot Property Southeast Asia Awards 2019.
Tallest Residential Building
The Astaka
Residential
Location: Johor Bahru, Malaysia
Height: 278.9 meters (915 feet)
Completed: 2018
The Astaka is the tallest skyscraper in Johor Bahru and is among the most notable projects in the Iskandar special economic zone. The project features 438 luxury suites and penthouse duplexes with each residence outiffted with Gaggenau and Bosch Appliances in addition to Hansgrohe bathroom fittings. There are actually two towers at The Astaka. The 70-story one listed here, and a second one that has 65 stories.
Tallest Hotel Building
Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur
Hotel
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Height: 342 meters (1,124 feet)
Completed: 2018
Four Seasons Place Kuala Lumpur holds a number of distinctions. It’s the tallest hotel building in both Malaysia and Southeast Asia as well as being the third tallest hotel in the world. Located next to Petronas Twin Towers, the project initially received some flak for blocking views of the iconic office skyscrapers. The hotel itself is breathtaking, providing all the luxury you would expect to find from the Four Seasons brand. A limited number of Four Seasons branded residences can also be found in the skyscraper.
The Iconic Skyscraper
Petronas Twin Towers
Office
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Height: 452 meters (1,483 feet)
Completed: 1998
The easily-identifiable Petronas Twin Towers are synonymous with Kuala Lumpur and were the tallest buildings in Southeast Asia for more than a decade. They were also the tallest buildings in Malaysia up until last year when they were surpassed by The Exchange 106. The office buildings each have 88 floors with state-owned oil and gas company Petronas occupying one tower. The other tower is leased to a host of businesses.
The Unique Skyscraper
KOMTAR Tower
Office
Location: Penang, Malaysia
Height: 249 meters (816 feet)
Completed: 1985 (renovated 2015)
The KOMTAR Tower in George Town on the island of Penang is outside the top ten of the tallest buildings in Malaysia and would be dwarfed in Kuala Lumpur. However, it’s not located there. It is in Penang where it has towered over the skyline there for decades and remains the tallest building on the island. It is home to government offices in addition to retail space. KOMTAR underwent massive renovations in 2015 that added several new floors which contain the highest glass skywalk in Malaysia along with some other tourist attractions.
The Future
Merdeka PNB 118
Mixed-use
Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Height: 656 meters (2152 feet)
Expected Completion: 2021
Merdeka PNB 118 will be the new tallest building in Malaysia when it’s completed in 2021. Standing at 118 stories, the tower will have office space, a shopping mall, a Park Hyatt hotel and hotel residences along with the obligatory observation deck. Most of the office space will be occupied by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), the state-backed investment fund. Work on the tower began in 2014 and building on the 100th floor took place in January of this year.