By Julie Chan
The State’s only revolving restaurant is making a comeback after a two-decade hiatus.
The restaurant at the Sabah Foundation building, which has been renovated at a cost of RM2 million, will reopen its doors on Wednesday.
Its presence will help promote tourism in the State, especially in uplifting the image of the glass tower, long regarded as an icon of Sabah.
Aptly named "Atmosphere", the restaurant on the 18th floor of the 30-storey tower was set up by former chief minister Tun Mustapha Datu Harun in the early 1970s.
Managed by Atmosphere Restaurant Sdn Bhd, a subsidiary of Asia Extreme Sdn Bhd, the company took four months to complete the modern-retro concept restaurant which went way beyond the allocated budget.
Asia Extreme marketing and sales director Victoria Hilley said they had earlier intended to relaunch the restaurant at the end of last year.
"We also exceeded our RM1 million budget because we wanted to have the best of everything for the restaurant."
Opened for a sneak preview for the travel industry and media here, the restaurant boasts a modern setting, uncommon in the State, and imported furnishings and utensils.
"We wanted a new cutting-edge dining experience for the city that would help stamp its status as a world-class tourist destination," Hilley said.
For a luxurious touch, guests can choose to arrive at the restaurant by helicopter, luxury yacht or a Daimler Benz vintage car.
"Though the target is high-end tourists, we also want to make it accessible to the local market," she said.
The restaurant makes a 360-degree turn in 61 minutes, giving diners a panoramic view of Universiti Malaysia Sabah, the Sabah State Legislative Assembly building and Likas Bay — and also a spectacular sunset.
Asia Extreme has been granted a long-term lease for the restaurant by the Sabah Foundation.
Recently renamed the Tun Mustapha Tower, the building is among the city’s famous landmarks, attracting between 20 and 30 busloads of tourists daily.
Source: New Straits Times
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