Menara KOMTAR
Penang, Malaysia

HEIGHT: 232m/760 feet
FLOORS: 65 floors
COMPLETION: 1985
ARCHITECT: Jurubena Bertiga International Sdn.

At the time of its construction, the complex was the largest urban redevelopment project undertaken by the Malaysian Government.

It was designed to meet the growing demand for civic, administrative, commercial, and housing space in the city. KOMTAR also serves as a symbol of order and stability for the town and the province.

Although the goal of the project was to preserve the historic character of the town, its modern form stands in stark contrast to the smaller buildings around it.

The tower itself serves as the government center for the region. Government offices, which were spread throughout the city, were relocated to the tower to provide more effective services.

The four-story KOMTAR podium occupies an eleven hectare site. The circular tower rests upon this podium, one of many elements in the complex. The podium includes shopping, residences, and office spaces, a hawker's center, cinemas, a bus terminal, post office, fire station, conference center, public display area, health clinic, police post, swimming pool, garage, pedestrian mall, and multipurpose hall (enclosed by a glass geodesic dome).

The circular tower is actually a 12-sided geometric block, which rests upon foundations which vary from seven to nine feet in thickness.

It is designed to withstand wind and earthquake loadings equivalent to 4.0 on the Richter scale.

The interior arrangement is expressed on the exterior with concrete bands signifying mechanical floors which divide the building into three zones.

The two penthouse floors are recessed, creating a dark shadow around the top of the building.

The roof supports mechanical equipment and a helipad.

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/rotpics01/penang02.jpeg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/rotpics01/penang01.jpeg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/rotpics01/penang03.jpeg

http://mywebpage.netscape.com/rotpics01/penang04.jpeg

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=13

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=16

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=22

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/9penangnight5.jpg

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=45

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=46

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=47

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=48

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=49

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=50

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=51

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=52

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=53

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=54

oh, forgot, I give it 8/10

8/10

Nice and simple design. Makes a big impact on Penang's skyline.
The views from on top must be spectacular.

Originally posted by RafflesCity
8/10

Nice and simple design. Makes a big impact on Penang's skyline.
The views from on top must be spectacular.

it has hold the record for 2 decades as the tallest in Penang. Don't know if there will be a competitor.

the view from the top is spectacular! especially looking to the Gurney area

pretty simple. Just another one of those "rounded" scrapers.

6.5/10

there is one that look-alike here on the Goldcoast. just smaller.. not my favorite but still pretty nice at night;)
8

Can we have more pics? Sorry but only 1 of TYW's seems to be viewable.

Australia Square in Sydney looks somewhat like Menara KOMTAR. Love how it slowly slopes in on all sides, and sort of mixed between flat sides and round shape.

7/10

It's round. It's tall. It's bland.


6.5/10

wow 8/10;)

here r more pic
taken by myself;)
http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/takashi/komtar5B35D.jpg
http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/takashi/komtar5B45D.jpg
http://img.ranchoweb.com/images/takashi/komtar5B55D.jpg

great looking tower. . especially for 1977. . and great shots there Pablo!! . .8/10

nice pics, Pablo! when did u take those??

yeaterday,3-12-02:D

the first pic r shoot from Menara Orintal Bank;)

Don't like this one. Looks too cheap and uninteresting.

5.5/10

5.5 - [YAWN] :sleepy: - Bland facade, too chunky, the horizontal emphasis in the trim takes away from the height, and I have no idea what's happening at the base...Nothing to write home about

not for me

4/10

Not bad. 7.5

this tower just doesn't work with me...
7/10

Originally posted by Pablo
the first pic r shoot from Menara Orintal Bank;)

where is that ?? do u have a pic of that building??

nice idea, but it would be better if it wasnt that light grey concrete

Originally posted by TYW


where is that ?? do u have a pic of that building??
EON finance u know, near padang polo;)

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Pablo </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>
EON finance u know, near padang polo;)</td></tr>
</table>

that i know but still dunno Menara Oriental Bank

<table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by TYW </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top><table cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=98% class="quoteBox">
<td align=left valign=center> <smallfont> <b>Quote</B> <I>originally posted by Pablo </i></b> </smallfont> </td>
<tr><td align=left valign=top>
EON finance u know, near padang polo;)</td></tr>
</table>

that i know but still dunno Menara Oriental Bank</td></tr>
</table>
in front of 'fuo xue yuan'

not my favourite building but as it was built in the same era as the sears so maybe at that time it is cool ....9

6.5/10

Interesting shape, bad facade.

Tall and not bad !!
7/10

I have seen other towers similar to this one. I will give it a 7/10.

tall but looks cheap 6/10

not for my eyes :(

It aint a beauty,but it ain't horrifying either.

6.0/10

3/10 Oh my, this round white tower is ugly! Those windows are ghastly!

It is quite ordinary, but good design. 6/10.

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=13

http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=16

5.5/10

here is another pic for Komtar
pictures taken by me
http://www.meadforge.net/forum/album_pic.php?pic_id=22

Pablo, your pic may change my mind and vote more

Ok for its age and location..it gets a 7 from me...

old pic
http://www.adventurequest.com.my/images/penang2.jpg

5.5

Not as good as Westin Stamford Hotel in Singapore, but it's worth 7/10

nothing 5/10

facade: terrible
form: i like it circle i said but just in combination with full glass
points: 4

One of the few giants that can stand among two storey shophouses and sort of fit in. Actually I hope it will stay lonely as it gives Georgetown a distinct look.

I think the building in itself is so so.. the tower and the shopping centre looks a little run down and old. It's good though, and very accessible.

7/10

Considering its age (by Asian standard) I feel like giving it a higher score.

I remember seing Menara Komtar on a postcard, standing there in the middle of 'nothing' and then deciding to go to see that weird town.

It was a good decision.

Originally posted by Jo

Considering its age (by Asian standard) I feel like giving it a higher score.

I remember seing Menara Komtar on a postcard, standing there in the middle of 'nothing' and then deciding to go to see that weird town.

It was a good decision.

it was empty, but not now!!

in certain angles, Penang do look like a mini hong Kong

7.5/10

It looks similar to one in Sydney.....
8/10

Like the Westin Stamford Hotel in Singapore, same case, same comment, same rating:

7/10

see: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=4457&perpage=20&pagenumber=2

8/10

it reminds me that one in Meloburne, but better.

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/photopost/data/2/9penangnight5.jpg
http://photo.starblvd.net/gustdz/2-1-4-1071973407?m=1&pg=1&ro=0&co=3&pw=*5F083FBB81ED
http://photo.starblvd.net/gustdz/2-1-5-1070661607?m=1&pg=1&ro=0&co=4&pw=*66F93FBB8274

6/10

7/10 the heart of north malaysia!

its shape is interesting, but the top portion looks too dull and technical. and they need to make the facade more interesting.

i think if they add an architectual rooftop frame to this one, it will look cool, but in its current state...blah

6.5

its shape is interesting, but the top portion looks too dull and technical. and they need to make the facade more interesting.

i think if they add an architectual rooftop frame to this one, it will look cool, but in its current state...blah

6.5

the top is the most interesting, IMO:D

http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619KOMTAR_1_.jpeg?7575
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619KOMTAR_2_.jpeg?1080
http://www.xpphotoalbum.com/data/500/6619KOMTAR_3_.jpeg?8530

7/10

Great. 8/10.

5.5/10

7/10 nice

8/10

Neat but not tall enough for it's desighn. 7.5/10

6.5

Not bad. Nice height

6/10

Looks like the casino in Hobart.

7.5

It's alright

7/10

A nice design, nothing special, but it has a fairly commanding presence on the skyline at night.

7.5

7/10

7/10

8.0

5.0

Like the shape but horible base, 7/10

6/10

Very nice building, though the lighting could use some work. I give it an 8/10. :okay:

The shape and the way the columns are outside the structure is real good. The top would be good if not for the ugly antennas popping out here and there :-(
Also it's too bad that the window quality is so low...
Still it looks really modern for a skyscraper from the 80s. Some people were still building stupid international-style boxes at this time ^^
Impressive height for its location as well.
7.5

Looks nice at night time!
8/10

8/10

6.

7.5/10

It looks like a big solar tower.

7/10

8/10

For its age it is pretty good, 8/10

7/10

Good shape, bad facade ;) 7,5/10

just 5/10

6 Only like the shape

8/10

6.5/10

6.5/10

8/10

6/10

nice i like it 8/10

8.5/10.it's nice

simple 4.5

6.5/10

7/10

Sorry, but I think its dire, 5.

8/10.

i give 7/10 because of the building :) and add extra 3 point because my hometown is there. so 10/10

6.5/10

I like the shape and height but not much else. but i really like the shape 7.5/10

8.5/10

5/10

Penang's Landmark 9/10

Is weird, I don't really like it. 6.5

5/10 quite well

8/10.

8/10

en..........i dont know how to judge this one...........6/10

i like it a lot 8.5/10

5.5/10

the building itself is in good form. horrible base compound design. low grade construction material and workmanship evident from picture of the base.

7/10

8/10

6/10

completed the same year i was born. and it looks well maintained. love the dated look. and it's one of my favorites in malaysia. 8.5/10

8.5 nice.

8.5/10

7.5/10

Very plain.
6/10

7/10

Not my style, a 5 out of 10.

8/10

7.5/10

8/10

thanks to those who voted more than 7....for those who voted lesser pls understand this building was built on 1985 , and most of the famous skyscrapers built during that time shouldn't be compared with the ones now...for example empire states is not a nice building for now...sears tower is not nice too...but at the time it was built...it followed older design older trend...so back then these buildings were the best..and same goes to komtar Tower which had one of the best design back then . it's a 65 storey monster measuring 232ms high..has an observatory area with shopping arcade on the top(62nd floor if i'm not mistaken) , 3 storey podium of shopping mall , a helipad on the top...juxtapositioned to a 17 storey shangri-la hotel and a multi-purpose dome-shaped hall...a food court and a amusement centre , all above the roof of the 3 storey podium....i give without any doubt a 9.5/10 . for comparison i give a 7 for sears and 7 for empire states 9 for WTC (r.i.p)

8.5 for the tower minus 1 for the base 7.5/10

7...

nice tower 7.5/10

Nice one... 9/10

5/10

8/10

7/10

since malaysia is my country's neighbor, plus the building looks nice anyway. 8/10 for me

Very boring, I don't see how this building can ever look good unless it's demolished. :P 3/10 at the best. :S

by rescue dog

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/1287542734_4a4cfe5f6e_o.jpg

http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd216/jegelsker99/1267126464_5e667fc0e2_o.jpg

not bad at all...7/10 :)

7/10

Not bad. 7.5

6 :)

7/10

8/10

6.5/10

8/10

Nice shape!!

9/10

7/10:)

Great looking tower. 1985:)

8/10

The interior of this building is a massive let down unfortunately!! Especially the observation deck area, but looks cool on the outside!

7/10 :)

8/10

9.5/10

i dont see any pics, is it my pc or are the links broken?

Nice o.O
8.5/10

i dont see any pics, is it my pc or are the links broken?

The link are broken :yes:
Is this one:

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/43/102556377_dc57fbfd70.jpg?v=0

7/10

Just ok...

6.0/10

6/10

Awkward-looking

8. Good building. Regards.

enough tall reasonable 4 me 7/10

8/10

8/10

Bland. 5

7.5

average.
7.5 /10

From http://www.emporis.com

http://www.emporis.com/img/6/2004/03/253619.jpg

http://www.emporis.com/img/6/2003/07/203691.jpg

8/10

6/10
Looks usual n a little bit cheap too

7.5/10

tak nampak gambarna....tak bisa kasi nilai

7,5

7.5/10
looks usual

6.5/10

I like the shape and height, but the coloration and facade I could do without.

6/10 dull

9/10

Bland. 4.5/10

6.5

Starts with U end with GLY...

6/10

7.5/10

7/10

4/10

7/10

6/10

8/10

6/10

7/10

photos?

Finally saw this building in real life in May. It's a bit run down, and the facade needs a clean.

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6176/6237578674_9e7a7aa623_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6226/6237055787_9cea3b6d38_b.jpg

http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6219/6237055437_913942695b_b.jpg

6/10

6/10