Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong spoke at the ground-breaking ceremony on July 15 for a new Las Vegas Sands development next to Marina Bay Sands' Hotel Tower 1, according to The Straits Times1. The event drew about 200 guests, including Las Vegas Sands co-founder Miriam Adelson, chairman and chief executive officer Robert Goldstein, and president and chief operating officer Patrick Dumont1.
The project is described as an US$8 billion (S$10.3 billion) new hotel tower1. It is set to be completed by 2030 and to open in the first quarter of 20311. The complex will comprise 570 luxury hotel suites, a casino, a 15,000-seat entertainment arena, 200,000 sq ft of meeting and convention space, and numerous high-end restaurants1. Like Marina Bay Sands, it is designed by US-based firm Safdie Architects and will have a distinct roof in the form of an elliptical Skyloop with 360-degree views and both public and private facilities1.
Wong framed the project as part of a wider plan for the southern waterfront, a 30km stretch of coastline from Gardens by the Bay East to Pasir Panjang that is six times the size of Marina Bay1. The Greater Southern Waterfront project was first announced by then Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 2013 National Day Rally1. The authorities said in May that the first of the new homes, around 1,000 Housing Board Build-To-Order flats on the site of the former Keppel Club, will be launched for sale in October1.
"That's what we mean when we say we are never done building Singapore. We will always keep on improving, keep renewing and keep on moving forward."
Wong noted Las Vegas Sands' earlier commitment, an initial investment of $3.85 billion apart from another $1.2 billion in land cost for the site1. Goldstein said Marina Bay Sands has become the most successful integrated resort in history and the industry's gold standard since it opened in 20101.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Investment | US$8 billion (S$10.3 billion) |
| Hotel suites | 570 luxury suites |
| Arena | 15,000 seats |
| Convention space | 200,000 sq ft |
| Completion | By 2030 |
| Opening | First quarter of 2031 |
| Designer | Safdie Architects |
What it means for players
The new complex is to include a casino, but no details of its floor space, table or machine count, entry rules or levies have been reported1. Until it opens, gambling in Singapore remains at the two existing integrated resorts, Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa, which are covered in the guide to casinos and integrated resorts in Asia and in Can I Gamble in Singapore?. The 15,000-seat arena and expanded convention space point to more large events in the Marina Bay area, which affects crowds, transport and hotel demand around the existing resort. The games available at the two current properties are set out in the guide to casino games at Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa.
What happens next
The tower is set to be completed by 2030 and to open in the first quarter of 20311. NS Square, cited alongside the project, is set to be completed by 20271. Around 1,000 Build-To-Order flats on the former Keppel Club site are to be launched for sale in October1. No date has been reported for when the new casino will begin operating.
