Komtar Tower is the tallest skyscraper in Penang. Construction began in 1974 and was completed in 1986. It was named after Malaysia’s second Prime Minister, Tun Abdul Razak. Hence Komtar is the acronym for Kompleks Tun Abdul Razak.

Consisting of 65 floors and 761 ft. high, Komtar is a multipurpose complex comprising retail outlets, commercial, transportation hubs, restaurants and serves as administrative offices for the state government. Tun Abdul Razak bin Hussein Al-Haj had the honour to officiate the piling of Komtar’s phase 1 on 1 January, 1974.

Sitting just beside Komtar Tower is the geodesic dome. These triangular elements spread across the entire spherical structure. It was a unique design by the late American architect Richard Buckminister Fuller. Presently the dome is known as Dewan Tunku Geodesic Dome or the Tech Dome Penang.

Komtar was recently restored and several new attractions were added to it. They include the Rainbow Skywalk, Indoor and Outdoor Observatory Deck, 7D Discovery Motion Theater, Jurassic Research, Ocean Explorer and Penang State Gallery.