Samsung C&T Completes Malaysia's 'Merdeka 118', the World's Second Tallest Building

Samsung C&T Constructs Both World's Tallest Buildings No.1 and No.2
Merdeka 118 at 679m, Burj Khalifa at 828m
Massive Mixed-Use Complex with Offices, Hotels, Malls, and Observation Decks
Advanced Technologies Including Spire and High-Pressure Pumping Fully Utilized

Samsung C&T Construction Division has completed the construction of the Merdeka118 building in Malaysia, the second tallest building in the world. Following the Burj Khalifa in the United Arab Emirates, Samsung C&T now holds the record for constructing the world's top two tallest buildings.

Merdeka118 Panorama

On the 10th (local time), Samsung C&T completed the 679-meter-tall Merdeka118 building located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, and held an opening ceremony. The ceremony was attended by key figures including Malaysia's King Abdullah and Queen, Arshad Raja Tun Uda, chairman of Malaysia's state-owned fund (PNB), and Oh Se-chul, CEO of Samsung C&T. The Malaysian King delivered a congratulatory speech and signed the building's commemorative plaque, adding significance to the completion.

Merdeka118 is a supertall building with 118 floors above ground and 5 basement levels. It is a massive complex facility with a total floor area of 673,862㎡, housing offices, luxury hotels, and shopping malls. An observatory offering panoramic views of the city is installed on the top floor.

Merdeka118 utilized advanced construction technologies including a 160-meter spire and high-pressure pumping techniques. Samsung C&T installed the spire using a lift-up method that pushes it up hydraulically without using tower cranes at a height of 500 meters above ground. Additionally, high-pressure pumping technology was used to deliver high-strength concrete to supertall heights, and real-time measurement technologies using GPS were employed.

Samsung C&T has solidified its status in Malaysia. Since the completion of the Petronas Twin Towers, which stood at 452 meters and was the tallest building in Malaysia in 1998, Samsung C&T has undertaken numerous supertall landmark projects including the luxury residential complex Star Residence and the Sapura Building, the new headquarters of the Sapura Group.

With the completion of Malaysia's tallest building this time, Samsung C&T has also participated in construction management for the world's tallest building, the 163-floor, 828-meter-tall Burj Khalifa in Dubai, as well as the Lakhta Center project in Russia.

Kim Sung-gyeom, site manager of Merdeka118, said, "It is very meaningful that Samsung C&T directly constructed the world's tallest and second tallest buildings," adding, "Although there were various challenges such as the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic during the construction process, we successfully completed this world-class landmark building through Samsung C&T’s top-level construction technology and expertise."