| Alor Setar Tower | |
|---|---|
Menara Alor Setar | |
 | |
 The Alor Setar Tower | |
 | |
| Alternative names | Kedah Tower |
| Record height | |
| Tallest in Kedah since 1997[I] | |
| Preceded by | MBAS Tower |
| General information | |
| Type | Telecommunication, Commercial offices, Observation |
| Location | Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia |
| Coordinates | 6°07′28″N 100°22′03″E / 6.124397°N 100.367518°E |
| Groundbreaking | 2 May 1994 |
| Construction started | 5 May 1994 |
| Completed | 19 June 1996 |
| Opening | 14 August 1997[1] |
| Renovated | 6 July 2020 – 26 July 2020 (Star View) |
| Owner | Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) |
| Height | |
| Antenna spire | 165.5 m (543 ft) (Equivalent to a 44-story building) |
| Roof | 115 m (377 ft) |
| Top floor | 105 m (344 ft) |
| Observatory | 88 m (289 ft) |
| Technical details | |
| Floor count | 6 |
| Lifts/elevators | 2 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Hijjas Kasturi Associates |
| Developer | Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM) |
| References | |
| [2][3][4] | |
Alor Setar Tower (Malay: Menara Alor Setar), also known as Kedah Tower is a 4-story, 165.5-meter-tall telecommunication tower in Alor Setar, Kedah, Malaysia, It is once third tallest tower in Malaysia, the tallest structure in the state and the tallest structure in the city.[5]
Apart from serving the role of a telecommunication tower, it also caters as a tourist destination for the town. The tower also houses some restaurants and a souvenir shop. The tower is an observatory tower to look for the crescent moon to mark the beginning of Muslim months such as Ramadhan, Shawwal, and Zulhijjah, to celebrate Ramadhan, Hari Raya Aidilfitri and Hari Raya Aidiladha, respectively.
The observation deck is at a height of 88 m (289 ft) from the base of the structure.[5] Also, the open deck or skydeck is at a height of 105 m (344 ft) and the antenna tower is with the height of 50.5 m (166 ft).
Before Alor Setar Tower was built, the tallest structure in Kedah was Holiday Villa Alor Setar, which is 114.7 m (376 ft). Located at the Alor Setar City Centre, it was built in 1994. It is also the second structure in Northern Region of Peninsular Malaysia to surpass 100 m (330 ft) after Penang's Komtar. Alor Setar Tower was started in 1994, topped-out in 1995, it surpassed the previous Holiday Villa Alor Setar, became the third to surpass 100 m (330 ft). The tower was completed in 1996. Opened in 14 August 1997 by Mahathir Mohamad, who was the prime minister at the time.
Following the completion of the Alor Setar Tower, many high-rise and low-rise buildings started taking shape, including Amansuri Residences, Aman Central, SADA Tower, G Residence Alor Setar, VIVRE Residence, AS100, and AMEX Alor Mengkudu.
With a total height of 165.5 metres (543 ft), it is the third tallest telecommunication tower in Malaysia (behind the Kuala Lumpur Tower, 421 m (1,381 ft) and the newly opened Kuantan 188, 188 m (617 ft), managed by Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn. Bhd, a subsidiary of Telekom Malaysia Berhad (TM), and it was surpassed by Kuantan 188 as the second tallest tower in 2020.
The design of Alor Setar Tower is inspired from the Kedah’s state nickname ‘Jelapang Padi' which refers to the geographical landscape of the state that is dominated by rows of paddy field with the structure of the tower represents 'Serumpun Padi' or the tied rice clusters, while the large pillar supporting the tower structure implies the 'Tiang Seri', symbolizes the strength of the people of Kedah Darul Aman.
Menara Alor Setar provides telecommunications and broadcasting services as well as a variety of other facilities for visitors which include the observation deck located at 88 metres (289 ft) above sea level with five sets of automated binoculars. There is also Megaview Banquet Hall at 100 metres (330 ft) height providing facilities for functions.
At 94 metres (308 ft) height, there is also Menara Alor Setar's Revolving Restaurant which provides dining in the sky experience hence represents the highest restaurant in Kedah.
Recently[when?] Menara Alor Setar introduced a unique attraction that will give visitors a new experience called ‘STAR VIEW’, two units of glass box built on the Open Deck at a height of 105 metres (344 ft) using the state's official colors; green (facing north) and yellow (facing south).
To complete the new experience for visitors, the Open Deck has been enhanced with a comfortable waiting area and a hydraulic lift to take visitors from Megaview Banquet Hall (TH03) to 'STAR VIEW' (TH04) in addition to the interesting and exclusive floor design and wall finishes.
"The initiative and idea to build the 'STAR VIEW' on the Open Deck of Menara Alor Setar has been inspired by the success of two Sky Box units built on the Sky Deck, Menara Kuala Lumpur". (*photo credit-drone_tech_imaging)
The design of the tower is from Tiang Seri.
