Inside The Federal Kuala Lumpur’s revamp: Restored 1957 details, Art Deco windows and new spaces

The Federal Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia's first international-class hotel, has reopened with a blend of contemporary updates and restored heritage features after renovations starting in 2024.

The renovation uncovered significant elements like a historic mosaic staircase and preserved original gilded entrance.

The updated hotel offers new additions such as an art gallery and a social lounge while maintaining its signature Art Deco features.

The revitalization aims to enhance local tourism and support surrounding businesses, with further development phases planned.

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 19 — Malaysia’s first international-class hotel, The Federal Kuala Lumpur, has unveiled new additions and several restored heritage features following its official reopening.

The historic landmark in the heart of Bukit Bintang first opened its doors just days before Merdeka, on August 28, 1957.

Following a carefully considered renovation process that began in 2024, the hotel has returned with a contemporary update while retaining elements of its original character.

Among the heritage features uncovered during renovation were exposed concrete beams bearing timber formwork imprints and a historic mosaic staircase dating from 1957.

The staircase was subsequently conserved, along with the hotel’s original gilded cast-iron entrance metalwork.

The renovation team also restored The Federal Kuala Lumpur’s signature circular Art Deco façade windows, while the guestrooms have been fully updated with clean lines and warm, natural materials.

New additions include a coffered ceiling, curved structural forms, terrazzo-inspired finishes and retro-influenced furnishings, as well as a dedicated art gallery and a social lounge designed as an informal living room overlooking Jalan Bukit Bintang.

“For decades, this landmark has stood as a living testament to Malaysia’s vibrant history and hospitality,” Low Yat Group executive director Datuk Low Gee Teong said.

“The Federal Hotel, or as it is affectionately known as the Hotel for Merdeka, was built specifically to serve the needs of our emerging nation.

“It is far more than a hotel; it is a living piece of Malaysian heritage.”

Speaking at the hotel’s official reopening ceremony yesterday, Gee Teong said that by revitalising the historic corner of Jalan Bukit Bintang, the group hoped not only to strengthen the local tourism ecosystem but also to drive digital and physical footfall in the area, supporting surrounding businesses and the community.

Meanwhile, Low Yat Group business development manager Low Kian Leong said the renovation presented its own challenges, particularly given the age of the building.

“I was part of the project team from start to finish, and throughout the renovation, we continuously uncovered M&E (mechanical and electrical) issues that were not indicated in the original drawings from 69 years ago.

“There were pipes hidden in pillars that we didn’t know about, walls that turned out not to be where we expected them to be, pipes would burst and things like that, so the team had to constantly adapt to whatever we encountered. It was tough work for everyone.

“So throughout the renovation, our focus was on safety, quality and responsible delivery wherever possible,” he said.

Kian Leong said guests could expect more than updated interiors following the reopening.

“As we reopen The Federal, guests can expect refreshed surroundings, enhanced comfort and the service standards that define us.

“But our most important feature remains our people. We are here to welcome everyone, from business travellers and families to event guests and anyone else,” he said.

He also revealed that the completed work represents only the first phase of plans for the building, with construction on phase two set to begin next year. An international brand is also expected to join the development.

The reopening ceremony was also attended by Malaysia Tourism Promotion Board chairman Datuk Manoharan Periasamy, Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) Arts, Culture and Tourism director Faizal Mahmood and Tourism Malaysia deputy director-general (Planning) Wizani Rosmin.

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马来西亚首家国际级酒店——吉隆坡联邦酒店，在2024年开始翻新后重新开业，融合了现代化的设施和修复后的历史特色。

翻修过程中发现了重要的元素，例如历史悠久的马赛克楼梯和保存完好的原始镀金入口。

翻新后的酒店在保留其标志性装饰艺术风格的同时，新增了艺术画廊和社交休息室等设施。

该振兴计划旨在促进当地旅游业发展，扶持周边企业，并计划开展进一步的发展阶段。

吉隆坡，9 月 19 日讯——马来西亚首家国际级酒店——吉隆坡联邦酒店在正式重新开业后，推出了新增设施并修复了多项历史特色。

这座位于武吉免登中心地带的历史地标于1957年8月28日，也就是马来西亚独立日的前几天首次开业。

经过从 2024 年开始的精心翻新，酒店以现代化的面貌回归，同时保留了其原有的特色。

在翻修过程中发现的文物特色包括带有木模板印记的裸露混凝土梁和可追溯至 1957 年的历史悠久的马赛克楼梯。

随后，楼梯和酒店原有的镀金铸铁入口金属制品都得到了保护。

翻新团队还修复了吉隆坡联邦酒店标志性的圆形装饰艺术风格外墙窗户，客房也进行了全面翻新，采用了简洁的线条和温暖的天然材料。

新增部分包括格状天花板、弧形结构、水磨石风格的饰面和复古风格的家具，以及一个专门的艺术画廊和一个社交休息室，该休息室被设计成一个非正式的起居室，可以俯瞰武吉免登路。

“几十年来，这座地标性建筑一直是马来西亚充满活力的历史和热情好客的活生生的见证，”刘蝶集团执行董事拿督刘志东表示。

“联邦酒店，或者更亲切地称为独立酒店，是专门为我们这个新兴国家的需求而建造的。

“它不仅仅是一家酒店，更是马来西亚文化遗产的鲜活体现。”

昨天，在酒店的正式重新开业仪式上，Gee Teong 表示，通过振兴 Jalan Bukit Bintang 的历史街区，该集团希望不仅能够加强当地的旅游生态系统，还能推动该地区的线上线下客流量，从而支持周边企业和社区的发展。

与此同时，刘蝶集团业务发展经理刘建良表示，翻新工程本身也面临着诸多挑战，特别是考虑到该建筑的年代久远。

“我从始至终都是项目团队的一员，在整个翻新过程中，我们不断发现69年前的原始图纸中没有显示的机电问题。

“有些管道藏在柱子里，我们事先并不知道；有些墙壁的位置和我们预想的不一样；有些管道还会爆裂等等，所以团队必须不断适应遇到的各种情况。这对每个人来说都是一项艰巨的工作。”

“因此，在整个翻新过程中，我们始终将安全、质量和负责任的交付放在首位，”他说。

Kian Leong表示，重新开业后，顾客们可以期待的不仅仅是焕然一新的内部装潢。

“随着联邦酒店重新开业，宾客们可以期待焕然一新的环境、更舒适的体验以及我们一贯的服务标准。

“但我们最重要的特色仍然是我们的人员。我们欢迎所有人，无论是商务旅客、家庭、活动嘉宾还是其他任何人，”他说。

他还透露，目前完工的工程只是该建筑规划的第一阶段，第二阶段的建设将于明年启动。预计还将有一家国际品牌入驻该项目。

马来西亚旅游促进局主席Datuk Manoharan Periasamy、吉隆坡市政厅（DBKL）艺术、文化和旅游总监Faizal Mahmood以及马来西亚旅游局副局长（规划）Wizani Rosmin也出席了重新开放仪式。

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