Las Vegas Sands hosted a groundbreaking ceremony for an $8 billion expansion project at its Marina Bay Sands destination in Singapore.
Held on Tuesday, the ceremony was attended by various executives and dignitaries, including Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong.
The project, known as IR2, will focus on what Sands described as a “new ultra-luxury resort destination.” The new property will be designed by Safdie Architects, led by Moshe Safdie, architect of the existing Marina Bay Sands.
Features will include a 570-all-suite ultra luxury hotel, food & beverage options, nightlife and public attractions. Among these amenities will be a 15,000-seat arena, which Sands said will become the leading live entertainment venue in Asia.
Construction is now underway and is due to be completed by June 2030. The estimated official opening is set for January 2031, subject to approval from the Singapore Government.
‘New Chapter’ for Marina Bay
Speaking at the ceremony, Prime Minister Wong said the project forms part of a “new chapter” for the Marina Bay area of Singapore.
“When completed, the expansion will refresh our skyline, as you can see,” Wong said. “It will introduce new attractions, including a rooftop destination open to the public, and an arena for world-class concerts and performances.
“All these developments, we believe, will add additional buzz and vibrancy to the area, bring in more visitors, and open up new opportunities for Singaporeans in hospitality and tourism, as Marina Bay Sands has already done these last 20 years.”
Paul Town, chief operating officer of Marina Bay Sands, added: “Since our opening in 2010, we have defied expectations again and again, and become one of the most successful integrated resorts in the world. We are now at the next stage of development with our ambitious transformation that is pushing the boundaries of luxury hospitality.
“The new brand vision and property refurbishment is timely as it mirrors and complements this vision, setting the tone as we enter the next phase of growth.”
