The iconic Merdeka 118 Tower has been honoured as the Best Tall Building (300m and above) by the Council on Vertical Urbanism (CVU), marking a proud moment for Malaysia on the international stage in architecture, design, and sustainable development.
The prestigious recognition was announced during the CVU 2025 Awards Ceremony in Toronto, Canada, celebrating the world’s most outstanding skyscrapers and urban design projects. Formerly known as the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), the CVU continues to honour excellence in vertical urbanism.
According to PNB Merdeka Ventures Sdn Bhd (PNBMV), the award highlights Merdeka 118’s achievements in design innovation, advanced engineering, and sustainable practices. Reaching a height of 678.9 metres, the tower is Southeast Asia’s tallest building in the world, representing Malaysia’s growth, resilience, and ambition.
Bridging heritage and modernity
Datuk Tengku Ab. Aziz Tengku Mahmud, the PNBMV chief executive officer, said the award is a reflection of Malaysia’s creative and collaborative spirit. The vision has always been to create more than just a tower, which wants a space that connects people, celebrates history, and embraces sustainability.
Image credit: Permodalan Nasional Berhad Rasmi (Facebook)
“Merdeka 118 stands as a modern symbol of independence ad a testament to Malaysia’s confidence in the future,” he said.
Karl Fender, Fender Katsalidis’s principal architect, shared that the tower’s design captures the essence of national identity.
“Merdeka 118 is not only an engineering milestone but a timeless tribute to Malaysia’s heritage and hope,”
— Karl Fender, the principal architect of Fender Katsalidis
Leading the future of sustainable urban growth
CVU chairman Shonn Mills commended Merdeka 118 for achieving harmony between technical mastery, cultural significance, and environmental responsibility. The tower was recognized among the world’s best for settling new benchmarks in sustainable urban development.
Image credit: Canva
Developed by PNB Merdeka Ventures, a subsidiary of Permodalan Nasional Berhad (PNB), the tower is the centerpiece of the Merdeka 118 Precinct, which is a mixed-use development featuring heritage stadiums, the upcoming 118 Mall, and community initiatives such as the Public Realm Improvement and Community Grants programmes.
Part of the broader Warisan KL project, these efforts aim to revitalize surrounding areas and strengthen community bonds within Kuala Lumpur’s historical core. With this latest honour Merdeka 118 stands not only as an architectural icon but also as a global example of inclusive, innovative, and sustainable urban design.
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