Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, ranks in the top 10 when it comes to cities with the most skyscrapers 150 meters (just over 490 feet) or taller. The Petronas Towers have been the city’s crown jewel since the two side-by-side buildings officially opened in 1999 at 452 meters (1,483 feet) tall. The towers, in fact, were the tallest in the world until 2003. However, they now don’t even crack the top 15 tallest buildings. A new building in the city, Merdeka 118, is once again putting Kuala Lumpur near the top of the list.
What It's Like Inside Kuala Lumpur's Merdeka 118, the 2nd Tallest Building in the World
Merdeka 118 is the second tallest building in the world at 679 meters (2,227 feet), behind only the Burj Khalifa in Dubai. The opening ceremony took place on January 10, 2024, after about a decade of construction, though some aspects are yet to open, like a soon-to-come Park Hyatt hotel and a shopping mall. The 18,144 glass panels on the exterior reflect the city. But, of course, the real showstopper is located near the top: two observation decks called the “View at 118” located on floors 115 and 116. On a recent advance preview of Merdeka 118, I didn’t see the very top of the building. Still, the view from just under the top is a thrill.
Photo: Norm Bour
Under the watchful eyes of vigilant security personnel, my vendor-guided tour of the building began in the grand lobby. Stringent security measures were rightfully in place — the tower has become a challenge for “skywalkers,” also called “rooftoppers,” who are daredevils who illegally scale towering structures to capture content for social media. In one case, two Russian climbers evaded security cameras, outmaneuvered guards, and spent more than 30 hours in Merdeka 118 before scaling not only the building but also its 500-foot-plus spire. They performed stunts that would be dangerous even at ground level at the heart-stopping height. Netflix has a documentary on that transgression, Skywalkers: A Love Story, which is worth watching.
The exterior
Photos: Norm Bour
Merdeka 118 is as striking as it is tall with its mirrored facade and distinctive asymmetrical spire. Glass, steel, and high-performance concrete use a triangle pattern that has dips and peaks — visually appealing, but also functional for shade and a reference to traditional Malay art. The dramatic pinnacle serves as more than mere adornment — it symbolizes a pivotal moment in Malaysian history. The spire is off center and designed to emulate the silhouette of Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman raising his hand skyward as he shouted “Merdeka!” (independence) on August 31, 1957, marking Malaysia’s liberation from British rule.
Getting inside
Photo: Norm Bour
My destination was the 92nd floor — as high as I got. But the journey began in an immense lobby. “Immense” barely captures the scale of this vast vestibule, with an upward view that goes on and on. The standalone lobby entrance I used serves exclusively as a gateway to the tower rather than adjoining malls or other buildings.
Photo: Norm Bour
My first stop at floor 76 offered a glimpse into the future home of Park Hyatt’s lobby. The hotel will cover 17 stories with 252 guest rooms and an observation deck. With more floors to go, the views from here were already impressive. To the 92nd floor I went.
Photo: Norm Bour
Here, I found one of those “pictures speak a thousand words” situations. When I visited, the floor was sparse with just a modest café area. That proved to be a benefit, as I could walk 300 degrees and see a wide swath of the landscape. The most impressive view, in my opinion, is from the corner facing the Petronas Towers and the KL Tower, two of the other tallest structures in town.
Photo: Norm Bour
Photo: Norm Bour
Photo: Norm Bour
Photo: Norm Bour
Making this view available was a construction challenge. The tropical environment meant careful attention to extreme weather conditions with heavy rain and strong winds. An innovative jackhammer technique was needed to align the towering spire.
The grandiose visions (and billions of dollars in capital) help developers and city leaders stand out by creating these buildings that seem an insurmountable challenge to built. That will only become more clear as further aspects of Merdeka 118 open, like the hotel and its rooms with ultimate views and the 150,000 square feet mall with space for more than 328 stores. For architecture enthusiasts and lovers of great heights, the view from above the clouds is worth the effort. 