Singapore's iconic landmark set for $8 billion makeover under Israeli architect

Since its 2011 debut, Marina Bay Sands has become one of Asia’s most recognizable landmarks, its trio of 200-meter towers crowned by a boat-shaped skybridge defining Singapore’s skyline. So when the resort’s original architect was commissioned to design a fourth tower, the directive from Singapore’s Urban Redevelopment Authority was unambiguous: protect the national icon.

“The Authority repeatedly said, ‘This is our icon; our people love this, and we cannot do anything that’s going to compromise it,’” recalls Moshe Safdie. As an article by CNN cites the architect, the challenge was to create a structure with its own identity while complementing the existing complex.

The 87-year-old Israeli-born architect, holding additional US and Canadian citizenship, is renowned for projects spanning Singapore, China, Israel, the US, and Canada.

His eponymous agency's portfolio holds architectural jewels such as Singapore’s Changi Airport, Israel’s Yad Vashem Holocaust History Museum, the National Art Museum in Beijing, Vancouver’s Library Square, and several Harvard University facilities.

When conceptualizing the new 55-floor skyscraper, which officially broke ground this week, Safdie briefly considered extending the existing skybridge to the new tower. However, he quickly abandoned the idea, fearing it would dilute the original design.

Instead, the new building stands apart on an adjacent plot, which he likens to “the dot of an exclamation point.” Linking them, he felt, would be “more of the same,” whereas he sought to introduce something distinct.

The $8-billion expansion underscores Marina Bay Sands’ commercial success. The integrated resort — combining a hotel, luxury mall, convention center, and one of Singapore’s two licensed casinos — drew 38 million visitors last year and generated 2.19 billion Singapore dollars ($1.7 billion) in business spending. Operated by Las Vegas Sands, the property has become an economic powerhouse for the city-state.

The new tower will add 570 hotel suites, additional luxury retail, and expanded meeting facilities. Safdie’s firm has also designed an adjoining entertainment venue. Initial plans from 2019 placed the 15,000-seat arena on the far side of the tower. However, pandemic-related delays gave Safdie time to reconsider.

About a year ago, he proposed “flipping” the layout so the arena would sit between the new skyscraper and the original three towers. This change, while requiring significant redesigns to access and transportation routes, improved the spatial relationship between the buildings, creating more breathing room and better flow.

While seeking to make the new structure unique, Safdie also ensured it shared a design “language” with the original. Its roof, called the “Skyloop,” will echo the boat-like form of the first complex’s iconic top.

The Skyloop will house an observation deck, restaurants, public gardens, cabanas, and infinity pools for guests, tying the buildings together visually and thematically. “The buildings look related,” Safdie explained. “They’re in the same family.”

This week's groundbreaking ceremony was attended by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, who joined Safdie for a symbolic shoveling of sand. Wong praised the expansion, saying it “will refresh our skyline.”

By Nazrin Sadigova