The statuesque KL Tower represents one of the most ambitious projects ever undertaken in Malaysia. Though ultimately a state-of-the-art center for telecommunications and broadcasting, the tower is also a model of innovation. Converging of retail, leisure, and entertainment. The history of KL Tower consists of five phases. It dates to the fourth of October 1991, the first phase.
During the first phase, they were preparing a safe and supportive base for the KL Tower. They began widening Jalan Punchak and excavations of soil from the construction site. This was completed by the 15th of August 1992.
11 months later, the second phase began. Sixth July of 1992, they began constructing the foundation and basement of the tower. It was important that they created a secure foundation for the tower as this was going to be Southeast Asia’s tallest telecommunication tower and the seventh tallest telecommunication tower in the world. Moreover, 50,000 cubic meters of concrete were endlessly poured for 31 hours, setting a record in the Malaysian construction industry. The second phase was completed by the 15th of April 1993, without pilling.
The third phase, also known as ‘Superstructure’, began on the fourth of May 1994. During this phase, the construction of the tower starts with the erection of the tower shaft, then the tower head. As the final touches of the tower head were being completed, the construction of tourist attractions began. Furthermore, they were finalizing the concept of designs they wanted incorporated in KL Tower. It was their purpose to introduce Islamic motifs with eastern design to reflect Malaysia’s Islamic Heritage and western architectural technology. The main lobby is decorated with prepossessing glass-clad domes, designed and arranged in the form of the ‘Muqarnas’; an ornamentation and transition element applied in Islamic architecture.
When the construction of the tower was completed, the fourth phase began. On the 13th September of 1994, the Antenna Mast was installed during a ceremony inaugurated by YAB Dato’ Seri Dr Mahathir Mohamad, marking the final height of the tower; 421 meters above ground level.
KL Tower opened to the public on the 23rd of July 1996 and officially launched by the 4th Prime Minister, Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad of Malaysia on the first of October 1996.
