In 1974, Tun Abdul Razak Hussein, while the second Prime Minister of Malaysia, laid the cornerstone for a 27 acre urban development project in George Town. When this skyscraper opened in 1986, its name was an acronym for the prime minister. At 816 feet, KOMTAR Tower is the tallest building in Penang. At first this architectural gem was a success. It housed commercial and Penang state government offices on the upper levels plus an extensive shopping mall on several lower levels. After years of decline, KOMTAR Tower was extensively renovated from 2012 to 2016. It is once again an exciting attraction to tourists and local Malaysians.
