KLCC News and Updates

The Masterplan : KLCC

Phase 1:


  • 88-storey Petronas Twin Towers
  • Suria KLCC - the six-level, 1.5 million sq. feet shopping centre
  • 49-storey Menara Maxis
  • 30-storey Menara Esso
  • 32-storey Mandarin Oriental Kuala Lumpur Hotel
  • 20-hectare (50-acre) Public Park
  • two District Cooling Centres
  • a Mosque


Phase 1 was launched in 1992

Initial 3D Mockup

KLCC 3D landscape1

KLCC 3D landscape2

Timeline of the KLCC development

1896
Selangor Turf Club is established with Sir Frank Swettenham as president.

1981
Government decides the turf club needs to be relocated to ease the infamous traffic jams.

1988
The STC buys 255 acres (102ha) of disused mining land in Sungai Besi for its relocation.

1990
MAI Holdings gets the go-ahead to turn the 40ha into mixed used commercial development, including a 20ha landscape park.

Early 1991
Petronas is invited to become a partner in the Kuala Lumpur City Center development.

Mid 1991
International "by invitation only" design competition is held. Eight firms submits their proposals.

Aug 1991
Cesar Pelli's design declared the winner.

Aug 1992
Last race is held at the Turf Club and the land vacated.

Sept 1992
Kuala Lumpur City Center Berhad, a joint venture between Petrolian National Berhad and MAI Holdings, is officially launched.

March 1993
Excavation for the twin towers foundation begins.

A Brief History

The previous occupant of the area was the Selangor Turf Club which partially occupied the 40ha piece of land.

The plan was to involved turning the site into an integrated mixed-use development where "people can work, live, visit, shop and enjoy leisure and caltural activities".

With the full interest from the current Prime Minister, Datuk Seri Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, KLCC was ready to be developed according to the design proposed by Cesar Pelli in 1991.

Cesar Pelli KLCC DesignerFor the Petronas HQ, Pelli envisioned two slim 88-storey towers, each with a 44-storey bustle or annex. The floor pattern was based on a 12-pointed star - a recurring motif in Islamic architecture. This was later changed to an 8-point star on Dr Mahathir's suggestion. The bridge was not only meant to serve the functional purpose of facilitating human traffic between the two towers, it also had a symbolic dimension - a sky portal and the gateway to Vision 2020.

"For the Petronas HQ, PM wanted a building that would be identifably Malaysian, that was of world class standards and which Malaysians could be proud of," says Petronas Chairman Tan Sri Azizan Zainul Abidin.
For further information visit pmproject.

KLCC: The Acronym

KLCC: Kuala Lumpur City Center