Plaza Rakyat
Encyclopedia
The People's Plaza is a mixed-use skyscraper complex in Kuala Lumpur
, Malaysia initiated during the 1990s. However, the project, which had already commenced construction, was stalled due to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and remains abandoned as of June 2009.
The project, originally designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
, was to comprise a 79-story office tower, a 46-story condominium, a 24-story hotel and a 7-story shopping centre. The original Puduraya bus depot was also intended to be replaced.
, was previously a swampland before occupancy in 1929 by the Selangor Chinese Club, a social club consisting of a clubhouse mimicking the Selangor Club
at Merdeka Square
in layout and architectural style (in Mock Tudor architecture
), and a vast field. The club was completely cleared away during the 1990s for the project.
The site remains connected (but closed) to the Ampang Line
's Plaza Rakyat station
, which was opened in 1996 in preparation for the completion of Plaza Rakyat.
at the intersection of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang, and the Vision City, Kuala Lumpur
at Jalan Sultan Ismail. Till-date, only the base of the complex has been completed.
Efforts to revitalize the project, announced in 2005 and 2006, proved unsuccessful when the project continued to remained stalled. On October 26, 2007, it was once again announced that the project would be revived after contract negotiations and amendments with the Government of Malaysia regarding the sale of the premises following the completion of the project. The project was then expected to be completed by 2012. However, little was said subsequently and the project continued to be abandoned.
After a public walkabout by the newly installed Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak
in early 2009, the problem of the stalled construction was looked at yet again. The government gave an ultimatum to the developer, Global Upline, three months from April 2009 to come up with a development plan or have its contract terminated. In July 2009, it was reported that the new contractor would be announced by the following month. However, in August 2009, Federal Territories Minister, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said that the government is yet to accept any proposals from interested developers pending a response from Global Upline.
Finally, in December 2009, the government announce that it will terminate the deal with the current developer. However, the legal process will still needs three to six months as the developer has rights in which they may claim. After the legal aspect has been cleared, a new tender will be made.
Kuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, Malaysia initiated during the 1990s. However, the project, which had already commenced construction, was stalled due to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and remains abandoned as of June 2009.
The project, originally designed by Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill LLP is an American architectural and engineering firm that was formed in Chicago in 1936 by Louis Skidmore and Nathaniel Owings; in 1939 they were joined by John O. Merrill. They opened their first branch in New York City, New York in 1937. SOM is one of the largest...
, was to comprise a 79-story office tower, a 46-story condominium, a 24-story hotel and a 7-story shopping centre. The original Puduraya bus depot was also intended to be replaced.
History
The project, which occupies a large triangular tract of land facing Pudu Road and Robertson Road, Kuala LumpurKuala Lumpur
Kuala Lumpur is the capital and the second largest city in Malaysia by population. The city proper, making up an area of , has a population of 1.4 million as of 2010. Greater Kuala Lumpur, also known as the Klang Valley, is an urban agglomeration of 7.2 million...
, was previously a swampland before occupancy in 1929 by the Selangor Chinese Club, a social club consisting of a clubhouse mimicking the Selangor Club
Royal Selangor Club
The Royal Selangor Club is a social club in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, founded in 1884 by the British who ruled Malaya. The club is situated next to the Dataran Merdeka, or Independence Square, padang , and is accessible from Jalan Raja...
at Merdeka Square
Dataran Merdeka
Merdeka Square is located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is situated in front of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. It was here the Union Flag was lowered and the Malayan flag hoisted for the first time at midnight on August 31, 1957...
in layout and architectural style (in Mock Tudor architecture
Tudorbethan architecture
The Tudor Revival architecture of the 20th century , first manifested itself in domestic architecture beginning in the United Kingdom in the mid to late 19th century based on a revival of aspects of Tudor style. It later became an influence in some other countries, especially the British colonies...
), and a vast field. The club was completely cleared away during the 1990s for the project.
The site remains connected (but closed) to the Ampang Line
Ampang Line
The Ampang Line is one of the two lines in Kuala Lumpur Rail Transit System network operated by RapidKL Rail network. The other rail network is the Kelana Jaya Line....
's Plaza Rakyat station
Plaza Rakyat LRT station
Plaza Rakyat LRT station is an elevated rapid transit station situated in central Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The station serves a single line that forms part of a common Ampang Line route shared by both the Ampang-Sentul Timur line and Sri Petaling-Sentul Timur line.The station was opened on December...
, which was opened in 1996 in preparation for the completion of Plaza Rakyat.
Abandonment and potential revivals
The Plaza Rakyat development was put on hold since 1997 due to financial difficulties faced by the developer and the a financial crisis. Abandonments have similarly plagued several other buildings in Kuala Lumpur as a result of the 1997 financial crisis, such as the Duta Grand HyattDuta Grand Hyatt
The Duta Grand Hyatt was to be a 52-storey hotel in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia initiated during the 1990s. However, the project, which looks to be almost completed, was stalled due to the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis and remains abandoned ever since.- History :...
at the intersection of Jalan Sultan Ismail and Jalan Ampang, and the Vision City, Kuala Lumpur
Vision City, Kuala Lumpur
Vision City, also known as Bandar Wawasan in the Malay language, is a partially completed and abandoned integrated development project located along Jalan Sultan Ismail, close to Kampung Baru, Kuala Lumpur...
at Jalan Sultan Ismail. Till-date, only the base of the complex has been completed.
Efforts to revitalize the project, announced in 2005 and 2006, proved unsuccessful when the project continued to remained stalled. On October 26, 2007, it was once again announced that the project would be revived after contract negotiations and amendments with the Government of Malaysia regarding the sale of the premises following the completion of the project. The project was then expected to be completed by 2012. However, little was said subsequently and the project continued to be abandoned.
After a public walkabout by the newly installed Prime Minister Dato' Seri Najib Tun Razak
Najib Tun Razak
Dato' Sri Haji Mohd Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak is the sixth, and since 2009, Prime Minister of Malaysia. He previously held the post of Deputy Prime Minister from 7 January 2004 until he succeeded Tun Abdullah Ahmad Badawi as Prime Minister on 3 April 2009. Najib is President of the United...
in early 2009, the problem of the stalled construction was looked at yet again. The government gave an ultimatum to the developer, Global Upline, three months from April 2009 to come up with a development plan or have its contract terminated. In July 2009, it was reported that the new contractor would be announced by the following month. However, in August 2009, Federal Territories Minister, Datuk Raja Nong Chik Raja Zainal Abidin said that the government is yet to accept any proposals from interested developers pending a response from Global Upline.
Finally, in December 2009, the government announce that it will terminate the deal with the current developer. However, the legal process will still needs three to six months as the developer has rights in which they may claim. After the legal aspect has been cleared, a new tender will be made.
External links
- Plaza Rakyat at EmporisEmporisEmporis GmbH is a real estate data mining company with headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. The company collects and publishes data and photographs of buildings worldwide....