Work begins on arena and new tower at Singapore's Marina Bay Sands

Work has commenced on a US$8 billion expansion of Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands that, when completed in 2030, will include a 15,000-seat arena and a 55-story all-suite hotel tower.

The fourth tower at the complex will be linked to Marina Bay Sands’ current conjoined three tower structure, while the adjacent Populous-designed arena has been designed to be Asia’s best live entertainment venue, adding an additional 18,580 square metres of space for meetings, conferences and exhibitions.

Able to accommodate international touring acts, the venue will be connected to the Bayfront MRT station and walkways to Marina Bay.

Currently dubbed Marina Bay Sands IR2, the new tower represents the second stage of the original ‘integrated resort’ development which opened in 2010.

Positioned as an ‘ultra-luxury resort destination’, it will include 570 all-suite hotel rooms plus 23 ‘signature multi-bay mansions’.

The tower itself will stand at a 45-degree angle with its twin wings curving outwards, offering sweeping views of both Marina Bay towards the city and out to the Singapore Strait.

Complementing the rooftop infinity pool and SkyPark which straddles the first three towers, the new tower will feature 'Skyloop' two overlapping elliptical decks spiralling in opposite directions with multiple infinity pools alongside restaurants, bars and clubs.

Patrick Dumont, President of resort owner the Sands Group, advised "over the years, Marina Bay Sands has been integral in strengthening Singapore’s position as a major tourism powerhouse.

“By the time our new ultra-luxury development is complete, we will have invested more than $15 billion since we started operations in Singapore.

“Our new development will raise the bar and redefine the ultra-luxury hospitality realm on a global scale.”

The original Marina Bay Sands development opened in 2010 and currently contains a 1,850 key hotel, shopping mall, museum, 2,183-seat theatre and casino with 500 tables and 3,000 machines.

The expansion was first announced in 2019, but was delayed twice due to Covid-19.

Images: Concepts for the expansion of the Marina Bay Sands (top) and the proposed new indoor arena in the resort (below). Credit: Las Vegas Sands.