Restored Sultan Abdul Samad Block 1 opens to public today

 

KUALA LUMPUR: After nearly a year of conservation and restoration, Block 1 of the Sultan Abdul Samad Building Complex opens today (Feb 2), marking the first completed phase of Khazanah Nasional Bhd's Dana Warisan initiative. 

Khazanah managing director Datuk Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir said the project, part of the Warisan Kuala Lumpur programme, demonstrates the value of strong public-private collaboration and synergy. 

"Beyond conserving the building, our focus is to activate it as an inclusive and living public space that is accessible to all, and one that contributes to Kuala Lumpur's vibrancy and long-term growth. 

"The timely reopening of Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad supports Visit Malaysia 2026 and is expected to generate broader spillover effects for the local economy, particularly across tourism, retail and logistics," he said in a statement. 

Block 1 marks the first completed phase of the wider restoration of the complex, with works focused on safeguarding the building's character as a national heritage site while enhancing safety, accessibility and the overall visitor experience. 

Visitors can now enjoy a range of offerings at Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad, including immersive exhibition spaces and galleries, a one-stop visitor centre, experiential retail and craft-making spaces, as well as lettable event halls and venues.

Under the Warisan KL initiative, Khazanah has been entrusted with preserving and rejuvenating eight significant historic buildings, including Seri Negara and Carcosa at Bukit Carcosa, as well as the Bangunan Sultan Abdul Samad Complex. 

The complex comprises the Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Pejabat Pos Lama, the former Kuala Lumpur High Court, Panggung Bandaraya, the former FMS Survey Office and the National Textile Museum. 

A pedestrian bridge linking Seri Negara and Carcosa to the Perdana Botanical Gardens Kuala Lumpur is also slated for completion by the end of this year. 

Khazanah has allocated RM600 million to fund the initiative, with restoration works on the remaining buildings to be completed in phases over the coming years. 

To mark the reopening, admission to the Kuala Lumpur City Gallery will be complimentary for the first month.

-nst online.