Construction began on Tuesday at Marina Bay Sands in Singapore on a fourth hotel tower and an adjoining entertainment venue, part of an $8 billion expansion of the resort, which contains one of only two licensed casinos in the city-state1. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong attended the groundbreaking ceremony and joined architect Moshe Safdie on stage for a symbolic shoveling of sand1.
The new 55-floor skyscraper, designed by Safdie's firm, sits on an adjacent plot of land rather than connecting to the three existing towers, which are linked across the top by a boat-like skybridge1. It will add 570 suites to the hotel, along with more luxury retail and meeting space1. The adjoining venue will seat 15,000 people1. Both are expected to open in 20311.
Safdie said he considered extending the existing skybridge to meet the fourth tower for only "a few minutes," and that connecting them would have "really compromised the existing scheme"1. The new building's boat-like roof, called "Skyloop," will host an observation deck, restaurants and public gardens, plus cabanas and infinity pools for hotel guests1. When Safdie unveiled initial plans in 2019, the arena was positioned on the far side of the fourth tower; about a year ago, with progress stalled by Covid-19-related delays, he proposed moving it between the new skyscraper and the original three1.
Las Vegas Sands, the US hospitality company behind the resort, said the property drew 38 million visitors and 2.19 billion Singapore dollars ($1.7 billion) in business spending last year1. The expansion site sits on land reclaimed from the Singapore Strait, part of 660 hectares (1,631 acres)1.
Wong said the new structure "will refresh our skyline"1.
"will refresh our skyline"
The final design drew mixed reactions online, with some social media users calling the tower "out of place" and comparing it to a "huge dehumidifier," while others said it would eventually "blend in naturally" with other planned skyscrapers in the district1.
What it means for players
Marina Bay Sands remains one of only two licensed casinos in Singapore, alongside Resorts World Sentosa1. The expansion adds hotel rooms, retail and meeting space, and a large arena, but the reports do not say whether the casino floor itself will change in size or layout. Entry rules, levies and game offerings at Singapore's casinos are set out in Can I Gamble in Singapore? and Casino Games at Marina Bay Sands and Resorts World Sentosa. The new tower and venue are not expected to open until 2031, so nothing changes for visitors in the near term. General background on the region's integrated resorts is in Casinos and Integrated Resorts in Asia.
What happens next
Construction has started, with the fourth tower and the 15,000-seat entertainment venue both expected to open in 20311. No further dates have been reported.
