PNB 'excited' over interest in Menara Warisan Merdeka

KUALA LUMPUR: Permodalan Nasional Bhd (PNB) is encouraged by companies' interest to locate their offices at the proposed 100-storey Menara Warisan Merdeka.

"It's true that there has been positive response from the companies. Most of them have expressed their interest to open up offices within the building. It's very exciting to see the high interest shown," PNB president and chief executive officer Tan Sri Hamad Kama Piah Che Othman said after announcing Amanah Saham 1Malaysia's income distribution yesterday.

Hamad Kama Piah was asked to update on the development of the proposed over 600m Menara Warisan Merdeka, touted to be the highest building in the country.

Last week, Business Times reported that the proposed Menara Warisan Merdeka had received pre-booking enquiries for over 60 per cent of its lettable space.

About 30 per cent of the space is being reserved for PNB and several government-link companies under its stable.

Hamad Kama Piah indicated that PNB group will occupy about 60 per cent of the building.

"Most of these companies are under PNB's group," he said, when asked to identify the companies that have shown interests to move into the building.

On the construction date of Menara Warisan Merdeka, Hamad Kama Piah said it had yet to be ascertained but "the preparation is almost there".

"Last month, I said that we have received the development order from City Hall, attached with several conditions.

"We are trying to fulfill these conditions as best as we can and as hopeful. We are also trying to make sure the launch will be in order," he said.

Scheduled to be officially launched by year-end, Menara Warisan Merdeka will cost between RM2.5 billion and RM3 billion.

It will have gross floor space of 3 million sq ft and a net floor space of 2.2 million.

This will be followed by two subsequent phases comprising a shopping complex and condominiums.

The whole development, to be undertaken over a 10-year period, will cost RM5 billion.

To be located within the Stadium Merdeka and Stadium Negara heritage area, the concept of the 100-storey building, its retail portion and the condominiums was mooted in early 2004.

It took into account the need for enhancement of value and effective utilisation of the 7.6ha land adjacent to the two stadiums.

Once completed, Menara Warisan Merdeka will be over 600m tall compared with Petronas Twin Towers at 453m; Burj Khalifa at 829m; and Taipei 101 at 509m.

By Business Times