The Petronas Towers transformed Malaysia into a celebrated global symbol of the 21st Century
Rising from the site of a former racetrack, the Petronas Towers established Kuala Lumpur as the cultural and commercial capital of a nation poised for the future. Since opening in 1997, the Petronas Towers have proven a vibrant engine for economic development, a beating heart for Malaysian culture, and a testament to engineering innovation and timeless architecture. The iconic twin skyscrapers have captured the world’s popular imagination, appearing in numerous films and works of art over the years. They continue to be an international tourist destination, attracting visitors from across the globe.
“As an internationally recognized landmark, the Petronas Twin Towers symbolize the courage, ingenuity, initiative, and determination, energy, confidence, optimism, advancement and zest of a nation.” — Tun Dr. Mahathir Mohamad, Former Prime Minister of Malaysia
The world’s highest skybridge creates a striking image of a gateway
From the forty-first and forty-second floor, a dramatic two-story skybridge stretches across the sky, linking the towers with a conference center, prayer room, and shared elevator lobby.
More About the Project
Project Team
- Cesar Pelli, FAIA, JIA, RIBA ↗
- Fred W. Clarke, FAIA, RIBA, JIA ↗
- Gregg E. Jones, AIA, LEED AP ↗
- Edward Dionne, AIA, LEED AP
- David Coon ↗
- Peter Follett
- Robert Narracci ↗
- John Pickard
- Larry Ng
- John Apicella
- Vlad Simionescu
- Michael Hilgeman
Principal Collaborators
- Architect of Record: KLCC Projects SDN. Bhd. Organization
- Structural Engineer: Thornton Tomasetti
- MEP: KTA Group, Flack + Kurtz
Project Information
- Location: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
- Client: SKJ Joint-Venture and KLCC Property Holdings Berhad
- Size: 10,700,000 sq. ft. / 994,000 sq. m.
- Height: 1,483 ft. / 452 m.
- Completion: 1997
- Firm Role: Design Architect
Awards
- 1997, Certificate of Engineering Excellence, New York Association of Consulting Engineers
- 1997, Award of Merit, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois
- 1997, Certificate of Honor, Structural Engineers Association of Illinois
- 1999, Lumen Award, New York Section of the Illuminating Engineering Society
- 2004, Aga Khan Award for Architecture
- Principal Project Photography: Jeff Goldberg/ESTO