Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TY Lee is the architect responsible for designing KL's art deco Central Market (1936) and Chin Woo Sta-
dium (1953), an example of early modern style with stripped back art deco elements.
Contemporary & Future Developments
Since the announcement of its planned construction in 2010, controversy has surrounded
Warisan Merdeka, a 118-storey tower slated to rise between Chinatown and Stadium Mer-
deka. Various protests have been held and pressure groups, such as Rakan KL
(
www.rakankl.com
)
, continue to push against the construction of what will be the tallest
building in Malaysia. Still, the RM5 billion project looks set to go ahead, part of a general
construction boom across the city that has seen many new skyscrapers sprout from the
ground and tunnels being dug for the new MRT line.
Next to Pudu Sentral, Plaza Rakyat is a development that has been on hold since 1998
because of the Asian financial crisis at that time. This central KL eyesore, covering 15.3
acres, has been given a possible reprieve by soaring property prices. The land alone is es-
timated to be worth between RM670 and RM800 million. Nearby, the former Pudu jail
site also awaits development.
It's the RM1 billion River of Life project that has the most potential to transform the
way residents and visitors see the city's architecture. With its focus on the rejuvenation
and revitalisation of the Klang River, the project also includes establishing heritage routes
through the most historic parts of KL including Chinatown, where the Medan Pasar has
recently been pedestrianised and surrounding buildings cleaned up.
Kuala Lumpur: A Sketchbook
showcases lovely watercolour paintings by Chin Kon Yit and text by Chen Voon
Fee that together vividly capture the capital's rich architectural heritage.
