Citadines Langit Kuching breaks ground

INAUGURAL: Kuching City South Mayor Datuk Wee Hong Seng officiated the Langit Earth Breaking Ceremony today, marking the start of this landmark project.

KUCHING: Construction has commenced on one of East Malaysia’s most eagerly awaited high-rise projects, Citadines Langit Kuching.

Developer Hock Seng Lee (HSL) recently broke ground on the project, beginning with a two-storey basement. This will be followed by a three-storey public plaza featuring commercial spaces, alongside Tower A (comprising 64 luxury condominiums) and Tower B (housing 220 fifth-generation Citadines units).

Once completed, the twin towers will rise to 108 meters, or 28 levels, linked by two “floating” clubhouse floors on Levels 4 and 15, each exclusively for condo residents and hotel guests.

A grand staircase will anchor the lower three floors — with lush landscaping by Singapore’s Salad Dressing — offering one of Kuching’s few privately-owned public spaces. The developer intends to activate this area with children’s playgrounds, concerts and art installations.

HSL is aiming for completion in 48 months.

These and other project details were unveiled at a media preview on April 25.

HSL and its Singaporean partner, The Ascott Limited—wholly owned by CapitaLand Investment Limited—have put together an international team of distinguished designers for Citadines Langit Kuching.

Among them are Light Collab, the lighting consultant behind the Singapore Pavilion at World Expo 2020, Park Royal Collection Marina Bay, and Books Kinokuniya Abu Dhabi; and Salad Dressing, a landscape architecture firm headed by Malaysians practising in Singapore, best known for projects such as Jurong Lake Garden, Aman Tokyo, and resorts in the Maldives.

“Langit is a teamwork between some of Malaysia’s and Singapore’s brightest talents. Some of the foreign designers are Sarawakians working abroad, and Langit is their first project back in East Malaysia. As a Sarawakian builder, I am immensely proud,” HSL Managing Director Datuk Paul Yu Chee Hoe said.

“From the outset in 2022—when Langit was launched as an architectural competition—we have championed ‘reaching for greater heights together’, and this team embodies this philosophy,” Yu added.

According to Ascott’s Malaysia General Manager, Mondi Mecja, Langit is set to become the benchmark for all Citadines properties in Malaysia. He highlighted that Ascott’s own design department is spearheading the hotel interiors for Langit.

“Langit is a priority project for us,” Mecja said. “We stepped in in 2022 after the competition results were announced, and I personally advocated for our in-house interior design team to lead on the interiors. Sarawak is a beautiful part of Malaysia, and there is so much to draw from and to showcase.

Mecja said the Citadines portion of Langit is expected to create around 100 jobs, while HSL estimated the project’s additional commercial spaces would generate another 60 positions, particularly in the food and beverage sector.

“Tourism is one of the best job creators, as it engages all strata of society—from housekeeping to tour guiding and management. Even at this construction stage, there are benefits to the supply chain. Whenever possible, we use local materials and contractors,” Yu said.

Langit’s architecture is contemporary and tropical, featuring facade screens inspired by Dayak culture. Its landscaping—extensive and to be maintained by HSL, known for its commitment to greenery—draws upon Borneo’s rainforests.

During the media tour, the project team also highlighted HSL and Ascott’s commitment to achieving Green Building Index (GBI) certification.

Lead architect, Ar David Ong, said the 28-level twin structures would be among the region’s most energy-efficient high-rises.

“Langit benefits from excellent site orientation, with minimal direct sunlight. We have incorporated screens to shield occupants from heat while maximising natural light and ventilation,” Ong explained.

“As this is a high-tech development, the Citadines component will incorporate an advanced building management system. Condominium residents, meanwhile, will enjoy double-glazed windows as standard.”

Ong praised HSL for prioritising public areas:

“Many developments use buzzwords like ‘placemaking’, but it is often easier said than done. HSL is devoting its own funds to create public spaces on the lower three floors. It’s an idealistic move that echoes some of the most civic-minded high-rises, like Lever House in New York.”

HSL will open sales of Langit condos in late 2026. Like the Jigsaw condos opposite Kuching Airport, HSL will establish a Langit sales gallery at La Promenade Mall.

Prices are expected to average RM1,000 per square foot for the 64 condominiums.

ENGINEERING: The guide walls for the two-storey basement’s piles.

LANDMARK: Construction has begun on the 28-level, twin towers of Citadines Langit Kuching.

GREEN: Singapore’s Salad Dressing is designing all the green areas in Langit, including the clubhouse floors and grand staircase.

EXPERTISE: The project team includes specialists for lighting and landscaping by Singaporeans.

Datuk Paul Yu and Mondi Mecja.

THROWBACK: HSL file photo of the architectural competition results announcement ceremony at HSL Tower, Kota Samarahan, on Aug 7, 2021.

INTERACTIVE: Langit press conference with local and regional media, featuring Ascott Malaysia’s Country General Manager Mondi Mecja, as he engaging with the press and sharing insights about the upcoming project.

INTERIOR: Ascott will incorporate Kuching and Sarawak into their designs. These early drafts show Dayak motifs and Kuching’s map.

LOCATION: Langit is at Kuching city centre near the waterfront and shopping malls with great views of the city and the sea.

PUBLIC: A grand public staircase is a key feature of Langit Citadines. This civic space was one of the highlights of this 2021 architecture competition winning entry.