Sultan Abdul Samad Building (Kuala Lumpur)

Malaysia / Kuala Lumpur / Kuala Lumpur / Jalan Raja
 palace, administrative building, listed building / architectural heritage, 1897_construction

Address:
Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad
Jalan Raja
50350 Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia

Designed by A.C. Norman, the construction started in 1894 and was completed in 1897 at a cost of $152,000 straits dollars. It was built using Moorish architecture which makes it stand out among all the other buildings in the vicinity. A.C. Norman spent time in Africa and saw Muslim mosques in India which led him to use Moorish architecture in the building's design. The building is named after Sultan of Selangor who reigned from 1857 to 1898. It was initially a town hall which housed several important government departments during the British administration.

Today, the building becomes a major landmark in the city. It serves as the backdrop for important events such as the National Day Parade on August 31 and the ushering in of the New Year. This heritage building was extensively renovated to house the nation's judiciary as well as a handicraft centre. However, it has been left vacant recently with the judiciary move to Putrajaya, the new administrative centre of Malaysia.
Nearby cities:
Coordinates:   3°8'54"N   101°41'40"E

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  • Dataran Merdeka, or the Merdeka Square http://www.malaysia-vacation-homes.com/dataran-merdeka.html is the center of Kuala Lumpur where tourists gather to take snapshots of Kuala Lumpur's historical buildings: Sultan Abdul Samad Building, The old High Court, City Hall, and the Friday Mosque or Masjid Jamek as it is referred to by locals.
This article was last modified 6 years ago