55-storey hotel tower, 15,000-seat arena & other developments at Marina Bay set to open in Q1 2031

Las Vegas Sands, the owner of Marina Bay Sands (MBS) integrated resort, held a groundbreaking event for its new US$8 billion (S$10.27 billion) development at Marina Bay on Jul. 15 evening.

The new project will include a 55-storey hotel tower capped with a 76,000-sq-ft rooftop, offering visitors 360-degree views of Marina Bay and the Singapore Strait, according to a media release issued by Las Vegas Sands.

Besides adding a fourth hotel tower to Marina Bay, a 15,000-seat arena "specially designed to host the highest calibre of regional and international touring acts, concerts, and large-scale live events" next to the hotel tower, will also be erected.

The expansion works are expected to be completed by 2030, and the new development is set to open by March 2031, reported The Straits Times.

'New chapter for Marina Bay': PM Wong

The groundbreaking ceremony, which was attended by more than 220 guests, was officiated by Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong and Minister for Sustainability and the Environment and Minister-in-charge of Trade Relations Grace Fu.

Joining PM Wong and Fu were Las Vegas Sands co-founder Miriam Adelson, chairman and chief executive officer (CEO) Robert Goldstein, and president and chief operating officer Patrick Dumont.

In his speech, PM Wong called Sands' expansion a "new chapter for Marina Bay", as it will "refresh [Singapore's] skyline", "introduce new attractions", and "include additional convention and exhibition space".

@mothershipsgKey features at a glance: - 55-storey, 570-suite luxury hotel tower with rooftop and dining experiences - Luxury retail boutiques, gaming, and holistic spa and wellness amenities - The Skyloop: observatory, restaurants, and a rooftop garden, plus private cabanas and infinity pools for guests. - A 76,000-square-foot podium: meeting spaces across three levels, with a core of a 15,000-seat arena for live entertainment.

♬ original sound - Mothership

Together with the upcoming NS Square, these new additions will "add additional buzz and vibrancy" to the Marina Bay area, "bring in more visitors", and "open up new opportunities for Singaporeans in hospitality and tourism", contended PM Wong.

PM Wong also shared that Singaporeans are "very proud of what Marina Bay has become", especially considering its association with major events, such as the National Day Parade (NDP).

Nevertheless, he revealed that the government is "not done yet" with building the area and Singapore more broadly, as "we believe the best still lies ahead".

New hotel tower

The new hotel tower will come with 570 suites, dining options, "luxury retail boutiques", "gaming", "holistic spa and wellness amenities", and around 200,000 sq ft of "premium meeting space".

The building, which will be rotated at a 45-degree angle to capture the panoramic views of Marina Bay and the Singapore Strait, will rise with its twin wings curving outwards.

Sands also promised to feature "biophilic designs" inspired by Singapore's urban greenery throughout the building, in addition to "a significant proportion of green amenities".

Skyloop

The building will be topped by "Skyloop", a rooftop designed to serve as a counterpart to the Sands SkyPark, where the Infinity Pool and Cé La Vi bar are located.

According to Sands, the Skyloop will come in overlapping elliptical volumes that spiral in opposing directions, with the lower Skyloop offering points of public access, such as an observatory, destination restaurants, and lush rooftop gardens.

At the upper Skyloop, hotel guests can enjoy "secluded experiences", such as private cabanas and infinity-edge pools.

Additionally, there will also be a cantilevered wellness terrace that is designed for yoga, arts, and speciality events.

New podium

Sands will also add a new podium, which comes with "a 15,000-seat state-of-the-art arena", next to the new hotel tower.

The arena will be helmed by Populous, the design firm behind globally renowned entertainment venues, such as the Sphere in Las Vegas and the O2 Arena in London.

Besides optimising the podium with "unparalleled acoustics, sightlines and production flexibility" for future events, Sands also promised to integrate the venue with new and existing developments within the Marina Bay precinct.

Visitors will be able to enjoy direct access to the Bayfront MRT station and linkways between Marina Bay and Gardens by the Bay.

Top image courtesy of Safdie Architects