It’s been nearly two years since Merdeka 118 opened its doors to the public, but it has already achieved iconic status alongside Malaysia’s other renowned skyscrapers, such as the Petronas Twin Towers and the KL Tower. The landmark also attracted significant media attention, particularly after being featured in the MCU film “Thunderbolts” earlier this year.
Now, in addition to being recognised as the second-tallest building in the world, Merdeka 118 has earned a new title: the Best Tall Building in the World. Here’s how it achieved this latest milestone.
According to reports, the Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU), one of the world’s leading authorities on skyscrapers and urban living, has officially crowned Malaysia’s Merdeka 118 as the Best Tall Building (300m and above). The recognition was presented at the CVU 2025 Awards Ceremony in Toronto, Canada, which celebrates excellence in tall buildings and urban design across the globe.
“Rising 678.9 metres in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, Merdeka 118 stands as Southeast Asia’s tallest building and the world’s second-tallest tower, symbolising the nation’s progress and ambition,” PNB Merdeka Ventures said in a statement. PNBMV chief executive officer Datuk Tengku Ab Aziz Tengku Mahmud also expressed his gratitude for the honour, describing the recognition as a proud moment for Malaysia.
“We are proud to see this vision recognised internationally. Merdeka 118 captures the spirit of independence, reflecting Malaysia’s enduring strength and optimism for the future,” he said. We’d like to extend our congratulations to Merdeka 118 and the team behind the building on the latest achievement. So what’s next for the skyscraper?
Yesterday (Monday, 3rd November), the official Merdeka 118 social media pages shared an update on the upcoming 118 Mall. While no exact opening date was revealed, the caption mentioned that the shopping centre will be opening its doors soon, which, according to reports, is expected to be sometime in the second quarter of 2026.
In other news, Park Hyatt Kuala Lumpur recently opened its doors at Merdeka 118, between levels 75 and 114 of the iconic tower, providing discerning travellers a refined home in the sky with unparalleled views of the Malaysian capital’s skyline. Find out more about the hotel here.
Sources: TheStar, The Sun Daily
