Plaza Rakyat

Infobox Skyscraper
building_name=People's Plaza
"Plaza Rakyat" ms icon


caption=The construction site of "Plaza Rakyat" (pictured in February 2007) has seen little activity since the project was stalled in 1997.
use= Office, residential, leisure
location= Pudu Road, central Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
status=Construction stalled
roof=382 m (1254 ft.)
floor_count=81|

The People's Plaza ( _ms. Plaza Rakyat) is a mixed-use skyscraper complex initiated during the 1990s that was to be completed in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The project would comprise an 81-story office tower, a condominium, a hotel and a shopping centre. The original Puduraya bus depot was also intended to be replaced. However, the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis effectively stalled construction and completion of the site.

History

The project, which occupies a large triangular tract of land facing Pudu Road and Robertson Road, Kuala Lumpur, was previously 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 openned in 1996 in preparation for the completion of "Plaza Rakyat".

Abandonment and potential revivals

The "Plaza Rakyat" was put on hold since 1997 due to a financial crisis, and excessive costs. As a result, only the concrete base and lower core of the complex was completed. Abandonments have similarly plagued several other buildings in Kuala Lumpur as a result of the 1997 financial crisis.

As of April 2007, only the base of the complex has been completed, and there is little indication the project is revitalised, despite plans to do so in 2005 and 2006. On October 26, 2007, it is once again announced that the project will be revived after contract negotiations and amendments with the Government of Malaysia regarding the sale of the premises after the completion of the project. The project is expected to be completed within the 2012 time frame. [ [http://biz.thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2007/10/27/business/19298287&sec=business Abandoned RM1.3bil Plaza Rakyat project to be revived] ] [ [http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BT/Saturday/Frontpage/rakyat26-2.xml/Article Work on Plaza Rakyat to restart soon] ]

References

External links

* [http://www.emporis.com/en/wm/bu/?id=131314 Plaza Rakyat] at Emporis