M101’s RM1.4 bil towers to add Ferris wheel to KL skyline

By Xavier Kong

M101 Holdings Sdn Bhd, in collaboration with European design studio Studio FA Porsche, will be adding a Ferris wheel to the skyline of Kuala Lumpur, through their latest project, M101 Skywheel, which was launched today.

M101 Skywheel is a two-tower, 78-storey complex with a gross development value of RM1.4 billion, which will boast the highest Ferris wheel in Southeast Asia, the first Planet Hollywood Hotel in Asia, and a sky shopping mall on the 48th to 52nd levels with over 200,000 square feet of retail space – a first in the world as well.

The complex will also have its own mass rapid transit (MRT) station, namely Kampung Baru North, once the MRT Line 2 service begins.

The attraction will be located on the 52nd floor, with its highest vantage point 220m above ground. Studio FA Porsche, who is in charge of interior design of the building, the private suites, and the facade theme of the building, will also be in charge of designing the cabin interior of the Ferris wheel.

Seth Yap Ting Hau

Seth Yap Ting Hau, one of the co-founders of M101, revealed that the interest in the property is strong, with orders already coming in before the launch.

This project will be the third project of the company under the M101 brand name, with the Skywheel to be the flagship of the company. The company also plans to launch up to 10 projects under the M101 brand name in total by the end of 2020, with a planned total gross development value of RM4 billion.

Addressing concerns about the safety of a Ferris wheel at such a height, co-founder Chua Eng Pu noted that the engineering team had taken into account the necessary procedures, and noted that similar projects like the London Eye did not take earthquake or wind measures into account, whilst they had to, due to the height of the attraction.

The co-founders, along with their partners in Studio FA Porsche, note that the project will be a rising icon, as the collaboration aims to aid in investor confidence, both local and foreign, in Malaysia once again.