Expanding Marina Bay Sands

Since opening in 2010, Marina Bay Sands has been an icon on the Singapore skyline, owing to the three hotel towers capped by a “SkyPark” with observation deck, infinity pool, and other amenities. The massive complex designed by Safdie Architects was built at a cost of US$5.6 billion with 2,600 hotel rooms as well as a casino, mall, and convention center.

Per today's announcement from Marina Bay Sands, the expansion will include a luxury hotel tower with a sky roof, a 15,000-seat entertainment arena, and additional premium MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) space, as well as new food and beverage and nightlife offerings. Construction is expected to start in July 2025 and be completed four years later, in July 2029.

World-Architects attended WAF at Marina Bay Sands in 2013 so can attest to the impressiveness of the integrated resort: from the atrium linking the three hotel towers and the sweeping mall overlooking the bay to the panoramic views (especially of Gardens by the Bay) from the roof. Much of the success of the resort can be attributed to Safdie's design, particularly the choice to link the hotel towers with the SkyPark. It's a formula the firm followed later at Raffles City Chongqing in China, where a sky bridge links four towers.

As revealed in just two renderings, the Marina Bay Sands expansion feels staid by comparison. Perhaps this is intentional, to let the earlier complex retain its landmark expression. The 15,000-seat arena will sit immediately south of the resort (left in top rendering) and the new tower will be farther south of that, at a remove from the trio of hotel towers. The new tower will be graced with its own rooftop park, which will allow guests to do something they have not been able to do yet: take in views of Marina Bay Sands itself.