Our site visit to Tun Razak Exchange (TRX) began with a warm reception from the TRX team, who welcomed us into their office and conference room for an introductory briefing. The session offered an insight into one of Malaysia’s most ambitious urban developments.
TRX City Sdn Bhd serves as the master developer of the Tun Razak Exchange, Malaysia’s emerging international financial district located in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. TRX is entrusted with the planning, development, and long-term management of this mixed-use precinct. The organisation’s vision is to cultivate a sustainable, transit-oriented urban hub that seamlessly integrates global finance, commerce, lifestyle, and leisure. Through this, TRX aims to reinforce Kuala Lumpur’s position as a leading financial centre within the Asia-Pacific region.
During the briefing, we were introduced to the scale and strategic intent of the development. Spanning 70 acres, the TRX project carries an estimated gross development value (GDV) of RM40 billion (10B USD), reflecting its substantial economic and infrastructural significance. The district is designed as a multifaceted ecosystem comprising office towers, residential units, hospitality offerings, retail spaces, and leisure facilities. TRX prides itself as being a place to work, connect, and innovate.
A defining pillar of the district’s design is its connectivity. TRX is directly integrated with the Mass Rapid Transit (MRT) network and supported by an extensive system of key roads and highways, enabling efficient movement to and from the area. The leadership envisions TRX as a model of transit-oriented development that encourages mobility and reduces urban friction. The TRX CEO further emphasized the importance of this infrastructure by highlighting Malaysia’s unique transportation landscape, noting that fuel subsidies have historically contributed to a high car-to-population ratio. The ratio surpasses that of several major Southeast Asian cities. In comparison to Jakarta, where urban density is greater but vehicle ownership proportionately lower, Kuala Lumpur faces challenges in balancing road usage with sustainable transit adoption. This reinforced TRX’s commitment to prioritizing public transport integration.
We also gained insight into the development strategy and land-use allocation. To ensure streamlined coordination across infrastructure stakeholders, including the Smart Highway and MRT authorities, TRX limits its construction pipeline to a maximum of two buildings at any given time. The district’s composition upon completion is projected to consist of approximately 50% office space, 30% residential, 10% hospitality, and 10% retail. At present, eight of the proposed 20 buildings have been completed, with operations already accommodating roughly 50,000 commuters daily.
Following the briefing, we proceeded to tour the TRX Water Treatment Plant, a critical facility setting the stage for the district’s sustainability goals. The plant is managed by Veolia under a 20-year contract that began in 2014. Veolia oversees the engineering, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance of the facility, adhering strictly to OSHA safety standards. The plant holds IMS certification from Bureau Veritas and employs a Kapta digital monitoring system to ensure operational efficiency. The facility recycles 100% of its wastewater for onsite use, supporting cooling, irrigation, and general district maintenance. Its contributions to the environment have been recognized through multiple green building certifications, and in 2023, Veolia received the Water Industry Award from the Institute of Engineers Malaysia.
Our final stop was the TRX security command center, where we observed the extensive surveillance and monitoring framework responsible for safeguarding the district. The TRX team emphasized that, as both developers and operators, they are uniquely positioned to maintain safety, security, and operational continuity across the precinct.
The visit provided a meaningful appreciation of TRX’s integrated planning approach, its dedication to sustainability, and its long-term aspiration to redefine the future of urban financial districts in Southeast Asia. To end the day, the TRX team provided us with bags of goodies and sent us home!
Blog by Hristo Toshev