In a city renowned for architectural daring and hospitality excellence, Marina Bay Sands has long stood as a symbol of ambition, innovation, and sheer spectacle. Now, fifteen years after it first redefined Singapore’s skyline, the iconic integrated resort is preparing to do it again.
A striking fourth tower has been announced—a US$8 billion development that promises to elevate both the city’s tourism offering and global standards of ultra-luxury hospitality. At a ground-breaking ceremony steeped in symbolism, Singapore’s Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, Lawrence Wong, joined dignitaries and company leaders to mark the beginning of this transformative project.
Among those in attendance were Robert Goldstein, Chairman and CEO of Las Vegas Sands, and Dr. Miriam Adelson, co-founder of the company and widow of the late Sheldon Adelson, the visionaries behind the original development. “This is not an extension of Marina Bay Sands,” Goldstein noted. “It’s a new building; an entity of its own.”
A VISION ELEVATED
Scheduled for completion in 2030 and opening in early 2031, the fourth tower will feature 570 all-suite accommodations, a dramatic rooftop experience, curated destination dining, luxury retail, and expansive wellness offerings. It will also introduce approximately 20,000 square meters of premium MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) space, alongside a state-of-the-art 15,000-seat entertainment arena, positioning Singapore as Asia’s foremost live entertainment destination.
“When we were asked to design the extension, it quickly became clear how important the original building had become, especially to the people of Singapore.” MOSHE SAFDIE
For Paul Town, Chief Operating Officer of Marina Bay Sands, the project represents both evolution and affirmation. “From inception, Marina Bay Sands had a forward-looking vision, designed to reshape Singapore’s tourism landscape,” he explains. “Since our opening in 2010, we’ve defied expectations, becoming one of the most successful integrated resorts in the world. We are now at the next stage of development, continuously pushing the boundaries of luxury hospitality.”
Moshe Safdie
Town emphasizes that the new tower is not simply an add-on. “We see it as a destination in its own right, with its own brand identity. It will be more intimate and exclusive. The hospitality experience is suite-oriented, tailored to feel personal, almost like an oasis removed from the urban bustle.”
LUXURY AT SCALE
That same sense of exclusivity extends into MICE and entertainment. “MICE is in our DNA—we started as an exhibition company,” Town says. “But this is different. We’re leaning into intimacy, creating luxury meeting spaces rather than large-scale exhibition floors.” The arena, meanwhile, is purpose-built.
“Acoustically and spatially, it will allow us to attract A-list acts, host high-quality performances, and potentially even long-running residencies,” he adds. With events like Taylor Swift’s recent sold-out concerts, Marina Bay Sands sees lifestyle-led entertainment as a core growth pillar. “We’ve seen how far people are willing to travel for a single act. This arena will be a regional asset, not just a Singaporean one,” Town notes.
DESIGNING THE NEXT ICON
For Moshe Safdie, the legendary architect behind the original Marina Bay Sands, returning to design its next evolution came with both excitement and gravity. “It’s a bit scary, to be honest,” he states. “When we were asked to design the extension, it quickly became clear how important the original building had become, especially to the people of Singapore. One of the parting words from the Urban Redevelopment Authority was: ‘This is an icon—you can’t fiddle with it.’”
“Since our opening in 2010, we’ve defied expectations, becoming one of the most successful integrated resorts in the world. We are now at the next stage of development and continuously pushing the boundaries of luxury hospitality.” PAUL TOWN
Safdie’s solution was to design a structure that stands proudly on its own, while remaining in visual and conceptual dialogue with its predecessor. “The objective was to create something that has its own identity and presence, yet complements the existing towers. The sum is greater than the parts, and that’s the aim.”
Paul Town
Initially, Safdie placed the new tower much closer to the existing trio, with the arena elsewhere on site. Following a re-evaluation, they gave the tower more breathing space. “This allowed us to create a more sculptural form, something dynamic. It anchors the site in a different direction, creating balance in the overall composition.”
Safdie also resisted recreating the original SkyPark. “Some people asked if we would carry the SkyPark across. Even if technically possible, we wouldn’t. The new rooftop is its own place—spiralling, layered, almost like a boomerang. It’s more introverted and private, like a retreat.”
TOWERING AMBITION
From a sustainability standpoint, the new tower is future-focused. “There’s a lot more green,” Safdie says. “All rooms will have landscaped balconies. We’ve designed to meet Singapore’s stringent environmental guidelines. It’s both a landmark and a living space.”
Though the project faced delays due to COVID-19, Safdie is pleased to return. “I was happy someone else wasn’t designing the building next to mine. It’s an honour to continue the story. Marina Bay Sands changed our practice. It was a game-changer for us, and we feel good about how it has stood the test of time.”
As construction gets underway, Marina Bay Sands’ fourth tower marks more than an expansion. It is a bold statement of confidence in Singapore’s global appeal and a redefinition of luxury hospitality. With a world-renowned architect at the helm, a hospitality vision tailored to a new era of exclusivity, and an unwavering commitment to quality, the next chapter promises to be as impactful as the first.
