A new skyscraper on the KL skyline will officially be Malaysia’s tallest building – and the world’s second-highest, right after the Burj Khalifa. At 635-metres high, the Merdeka 118 will also take the crown as the tallest skyscraper in Malaysia, currently held by the Exchange 106 in the Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) financial district.

Owned and developed by Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), this mega tower is located between Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara, within the vicinity to the city’s historical landmarks. To date, over 110 floors have been built. Although construction halted during the MCO, it’s still set to open its doors in 2021, and will no doubt prove to be the new sleek urban hotspot in the metropolis.

Already counting down to its opening? Here are a few facts about the Merdeka 118 to know:

1. Its design is inspired by an important moment in Malaysia’s history

The building’s distinctive silhouette is inspired by an iconic moment in Malaysian history, when Tunku Abdul Rahman, the first prime minister of Malaysia, raised his hands and chanted “Merdeka!” on 31 August 1957. The diamond-shaped base is also designed to resemble the Malay songket (a traditional Malay textile).

2. It will house office spaces, restaurants, a sky lobby and a hotel

Aptly called Merdeka 118, the 118-storey building will house 83-storeys of office spaces, a shopping mall, sky-dining restaurants, Park Hyatt Hotel, and luxury amenities like the sky lobby and VIP lounge on its upper floors.

3. It’s also home to Asia’s tallest observation deck

The Merdeka 118 will also boast Asia’s tallest observation deck, offering unparalleled panoramas of the KL skyline. To get to the deck, visitors will have to use the glass-panelled elevator – which is, incidentally, also the tallest glass-panelled elevator in the world.

Read more: 5 Iconic Malaysian Skyscrapers No Visitor Should Miss

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