The three towers of sin. The world's biggest joss sticks. An emblem of Singapore's irreversible foray into the gaming industry.

Whatever you might call it, there is no doubt that Marina Bay Sands has become an iconic part of Singapore's skyline and one of Singapore's most recognisable features -- as it would become a structure famous enough to be blown up in a Hollywood movie.

Many Singaporeans may have forgotten by now, but that iffy idea of Singapore being ready for casinos started its life as just another model concept residing in the Urban Redevelopment Authority City Gallery.

To jolt our collective memories, Singaporean photographer Darren Soh recently published 100 photos showing how MBS physically materialised starting from 1990.

Some incredible shots include this one showing the vast emptiness in 1990 before MBS was even an acronym:

This was what you see when there was no MBS blocking the view:

MBS foundation being laid:

The non-stop construction day and night to meet an insane three-year deadline:

In 2008, when the Grand Prix started, MBS was still nowhere to be seen:

By 2009, the three towers were slowly getting erected:

Nonetheless, building MBS was an engineering feat:

By 2010, MBS was ready for the world, where it opened to the public in various phases.

Originally planned to be completed in a single phase in 2009, rising construction costs and the financial crisis forced the company to open in phases instead.

The first phase's preview opening was, in fact, further delayed until April 27, 2010, and the official opening was pushed back to June, 23, 2010.

[related_story]

You can check out the whole album here:

Related article:

S’pore gets blown up in new Independence Day: Resurgence movie

All photos by Darren Soh