You would have seen the flurry of construction activities happening round the clock in the Marina Bay area. Indeed, the plans for Marina Bay are rapidly taking shape, with a host of new developments scheduled for completion in the coming years.
The Government’s Commitment to Develop Marina Bay
Despite the current economic uncertainties, the Government remains committed in its plans to transform Marina Bay into Singapore’s premier business and lifestyle destination. To date, Marina Bay has attracted $20.2 billion of private real estate investments from both local and international investors. The Government has separately invested close to $7.5 billion in infrastructure works, and will continue to pump in more than $1 billion over the next 10 to 15 years to support the future growth of Marina Bay and enhance overall connectivity within the city.
Investment in Our Future
Speaking to the media at the end of a site visit to Marina Bay earlier this year, Minister for National Development Mr Mah Bow Tan gave a public assurance that the progress of Marina Bay remained on track.
“While we have to be mindful of the economic downturn and find ways to cope with it, we must also not forget that we have to prepare ourselves when the economy recovers,” said Minister Mah, who further underscored the importance of planning and securing investments to prepare for the future.
The Bay for Arts, Culture and Sporting Fun
Marina Bay will not only be a distinctive business and financial hub. With Singapore’s breathtaking signature city skyline acting as the backdrop, the area is fast becoming an attractive and popular venue for arts and sports activities.
The months of May and June saw Marina Bay playing host to events such as the inaugural Arts Fest@Marina Bay and the Cold Storage Kids Run, all of which added great buzz and vibrancy to this prime waterfront destination.
What We Can Look Forward To
In the near future, Singaporeans can look forward to a new and fantastic waterfront downtown and hub for financial and business services. Marina Bay will offer an exciting “live-work-play” destination for all. Working in conjunction with its partners, URA will also have more developments lined up, ranging from the completion of Gardens by the Bay to the new international cruise terminal.
Coming Soon!
What visitors can expect to find around the Marina Bay area in the coming few years.
Double Helix Bridge
- The 280-metre long bridge is the world’s first curved double helix pedestrian bridge
- Links the Bayfront area to Marina Centre, enhancing the connectivity around Marina Bay
- Unique spiralling steel structure resembles the double helix structure of DNA, symbolising “life and continuity”, “renewal”, “everlasting abundance” and “growth”
- Expected date of completion – Dec 2009
Art Park
- Singapore’s first Art Park
- Features 27 art works by Singapore youths, including a 4.5-metre high sculpture taking the form of a mountain, a rock wall featuring 18 drawings of Singapore icons, and an interactive ‘hop-scotch’ lighted flooring
- Expected date of completion – Dec 2009
Marina Bay Financial Centre
- Comprises three office towers offering nearly 3 million sq ft of prime Grade A office space and two residential towers offering 649 luxury apartments and penthouses
- 176,000 sq ft of underground retail space
- Expected date of completion – 2nd Quarter of 2010 (Phase 1) and 2nd Quarter of 2012 (Phase 2)
New Pedestrian Bridge
- The proposed new bridge will provide a seamless and direct connection between the existing Merlion Park and the Esplanade Theatres
- It will be at least three times wider than the existing Esplanade Drive Bridge and can better cater to large numbers of spectators during major events at Marina Bay
Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort
- Features three 55-storey hotel towers, a one-hectare roof-top Sky Park, an ArtScience Museum, a large outdoor Event Plaza and two fully-equipped state-of-the art theatres
- Boasts more than 120,000 square metres of flexible convention and exhibition space that can accommodate about 2,000 exhibition booths, 250 meeting rooms and over 45,000 delegates
- Expected date of completion – Early 2010
The Fullerton Heritage (Collyer Quay)
- Features a luxury hotel and a unique floating entertainment pod
- Large open space at Clifford Square for event use and public arts installation
- Expected date of completion – End of 2009