After Burj Khalifa In First Place, The Second Tallest Building In The World Is In Malaysia

Burj Khalifa is still the first tallest building in the world, with a total height of 828 meters (2,717 feet) and 163 floors. It was constructed in 2004 and officially opened in 2010. But do you know where the second place is? It turns out to be in Malaysia.

Spire of Merdeka 118 (cr: PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd)

The second tallest building in the world is 'Merdeka 118', after changing its name from the previous Warisan Merdeka Tower, KL 118 and PNB 118. It is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and has a height of 678.9 meters (2,227 feet) and 118 floors. With this height, this building is the tallest in Malaysia and Southeast Asia, beating the Exchange 106 building with a height of 453.6 meters (1,488 feet) and Landmark 81 in Vietnam with a height of 461.2 meters (1,513 feet).

Merdeka 118 Aerial View (cr: PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd)

The development is on a 19-hectare land funded by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), with a budget of RM 5 billion (US$ 1.16 billion). Construction began in 2017 and was officially opened by the King of Malaysia, Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah in early 2024. The building was designed by Australian architect Fender Katsalidis. Merdeka (contextually meaning "independence"), was inspired by its location adjacent to the Merdeka Stadium. Being a characteristic of the area and an icon of the Merdeka Stadium, which is located right in the center of Kuala Lumpur, is a historic location where Malaysia's independence was declared in August 1957.

The mixed-use skyscraper, covering over 3.1 million square feet of floor space and 1.7 million square feet of office space, will accommodate various uses, including hotels, retail, and residential. Due to its unusual design and height, it could also become a new tourist destination.

Construction Process of Merdeka 118 Building (cr: Turner International al Malaysia)

Construction Process of Merdeka 118 Building (cr: Turner International al Malaysia)

Architects Fender Katsalidis brings Australian design to the global stage. Partners of the firm’s founder Karl Fender areproud to have contributed directly to creating this building with its community assets, further enriching one of Malaysia’smost culturally significant sites by taking advantage of every opportunity. The achievement of the world’s second tallest building is a moment to celebrate the journey from planning, problem-solving, collaboration, and all the efforts required to create a building of this level of complexity. Gedung Merdeka 118 will be the first in Malaysia to be awarded a triple platinum rating by global sustainability certifications, including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), Green Building Index and GreenRE.

Drop Off Area Merdeka 118 Building (cr: Fender Katsalidis Architects)

Interior Of Merdeka 118 Building (cr: Fender Katsalidis Architects)

Merdeka 118 building visually has a facade of triangular glass sculptural folds, inspired by the patterns inherent in Malaysian arts and crafts while also symbolizing the diversity and richness of culture that defines the country's people. Regarding site description, the building is located within a four-hectare linear water park with public open space provided by landscape architect Sasaki from Boston. This area is a car-free recreational area with the positive aim of promoting community interaction in a dynamic city, accessible to the general public of all ages and backgrounds.