Las Vegas Sands breaks ground for new development

Singapore’s luxurious Marina Bay Sands is soaring to new heights – quite literally – with the addition of a bold new tower to this icon of the city skyline.

Currenly dubbed Marina Bay Sands IR2, although that isn’t its final name, the 55-storey tower  represents the second stage of the original ‘integrated resort’ development which opened in 2010.

Positioned as an ‘ultra-luxury resort destination’, IR2 will include 570 all-suite hotel rooms plus 23 ‘signature multi-bay mansions’.

The Marina Bay Sands and its fourth IR2 tower.

The tower itself will stand at a 45-degree angle with its twin wings curving outwards, offering sweeping views  of both Marina Bay towards the city and out to the Singapore Strait.

The Marina Bay Sands and its new IR2 tower.

Complementing the famous see-and-be-seen rooftop infinity pool and SkyPark which straddles the first three towers, IR2 will be topped by the Skyloop.

IR2's stunning Skyloop.

At 245 metres above the ground – slightly higher than the SkyPark – the multi-level Skyloop comptises two overlapping eliptical decks spiralling in opposite directions.

IR2's stunning Skyloop.

This will offer a ‘rooftop experience’ with several infinity pools alongside restaurants, bars and clubs – and, of course, panoramic views in every direction, especially from the public observatory and skywalk of the Lower Skyloop.

IR2's stunning Skyloop.

At the base of the new tower, but still many floors above street level, visitors will find the tropically-inspired podium pool deck and a Club Lounge.

IR2's podium pool deck.

IR2 also brings with it a 15,000-seat arena designed to be Asia’s best live entertainment venue, and an additional 200,000 square feet of space for meetings, conferences and exhibitions, complementing the 1.3million square feet of expo halls and ballrooms in IR1.

The Marina Bay Sands' new IR2 entertainment arena.

The US$8 billion project is designed by Moshe Safdie-led Safdie Architects, the same firm responsible for the original Marina Bay Sands which stunningly redefined the Singapore skyline.

The Marina Bay Sands and its new IR2 tower.

The IR2 expansion “will reimagine what it means to offer luxury in the 21st century” says Marina Bay Sands’ Chief Operating Officer Paul Town, especially “in an era of rising demand for ultra-high-end luxury experiences.”

“IR2 has been conceptualised as the world’s best hotel, featuring exclusive suites, cutting-edge wellness facilities and world-class entertainment.”

Lush greenery on IR2's Podium level.

Formal construction work begins this month and will run through to the end of 2030, with a projected official opening date of January 1 2031 – promising the night before will see a New Year’s Eve party to remember.

IR2's stunning Skyloop.

The IR2 expansion project is separate from a US$1.75 billion investment in the existing property, which saw a complete refurbishment of Towers 1 and 2 of the hotel, as well as new dining offerings and luxury lifestyle amenities.

The upgraded rooms are housed under two main categories – The Sands Collection and The Paiza Collection – which also saw a fourfold increase to 775 suites, attended to by a team of 160 butlers.

The Paiza Collection – comprising mostly suites and served by Singapore's largest butler team – features an ‘elevated VIP hospitality experience’ including a dedicated arrival lobby and lifts, butler service and an exclusive Paiza Sky Residence lounge.

The VIP arrival lobby.

Gracing the top floors and taking prime spot in the landmark address are the Chairman, Presidential, Skyline and Horizon Suites. 

Guests arrive via a discreet lobby with private lifts and are escorted to their palatial, residential-style suites by their personal butler.

The Chairman Suite.

At 630 square metres the Chairman Suite is designed for entertaining on a spectacular scale, with a 146-inch television, a baby grand piano, spa and gym facilities, and a fully stocked kitchen for dinner parties.

The Paiza Bay Suite.

The Presidential and Skyline Suites are fitted with a state-of-the-art golf simulator – loaded with over 45 renowned golf courses – while a media room lets you dial up more than 300,000 karaoke songs.

The Premier Room.

But guests in the Marina Bay Sands’ other hotel rooms aren’t exactly slumming it, thanks to mod cons such as Dyson hair dryers, wireless device charging and outsized 75-inch TVs, while the marble bathrooms have double vanities and bathtubs easily big enough for two.

Sid Raja travelled to Singapore as a guest of Marina Bay Sands.