Atmosphere 360, KL Tower’s iconic revolving restaurant, is closing down
We’re sad that such an iconic restaurant, Atmosphere 360, is closing its doors after 15 years of operation. Located in KL Tower, the restaurant announced that they have temporarily shut its doors due to a legal disagreement between Asian Kitchen (M) Sdn Bhd (AKSB), the company running the restaurant, and its landlord, Menara Kuala Lumpur Sdn Bhd (MKLSB).
On 23 Dec 2023, the restaurant’s official Instagram account announced the cancellation and subsequent refunding of all Christmas celebration bookings due to the establishment’s closure.
Free Malaysia Today reported that KL Tower emphasised that AKSB, the operator of Atmosphere 360, was well-informed about its lease ending on 30 Jun 2023 and was required to vacate the premises.
Expressing surprise, Ringo Kaw, the CEO of Asian Kitchen, confirmed the unforeseen closure. He disclosed that bailiffs from the High Court arrived at the restaurant and demanded an immediate closure, even while patrons were dining.
“Christmas and New Year celebrations are around the corner and our reservations have been extended to next year. So we have no choice but to offer our customers a refund. I feel really helpless. We hope the authorities can treat us fairly,” expressed Kaw.
Additionally, Kaw pointed out that the previous management of KL Tower had verbally promised a 3-year extension on their lease. However, the current management, under Hydroshoppe, permitted them only until the year’s end.
“We have also taken the matter to court because the takeover (of KL Tower by Hydroshoppe) is being investigated by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission,” Kaw further elaborated.
Asian Kitchen launched legal proceedings against Menara KL and Hydroshoppe. They argued that the transfer of shares and ownership from the tower’s previous owner, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, to Hydroshoppe, was invalid.
This claim was based on alleged illegal activities tied to corruption allegations against Datuk Abdul Hamid Shaikh Abdul Razak Shaikh. These allegations purportedly involved former communications and multimedia minister Tan Sri Annuar Musa, to expedite the KL Tower concession handover.
In response, Hydroshoppe sought a summary judgment against Asian Kitchen, contending that the lease agreement had terminated on 30 Jun 2023 and insisting that Atmosphere 360 vacate the premises.
The court sided with Menara KL and Hydroshoppe, resulting in the enforcement of the summary judgment and the immediate shutdown of Atmosphere 360.
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