Latest news with #UrbanRedevelopment
CNN
17-07-2025
- Business
- CNN
Singapore's most famous landmark is undergoing an $8 billion expansion
With three 650-foot-tall skyscrapers connected across the top by a boat-like skybridge — and an Instagram-famous infinity pool — Marina Bay Sands has given Singapore one of Asia's most recognizable skylines since opening in 2011. So, when the resort's original architect was invited to design a new, fourth tower for the site, his brief from the country's government was clear: Don't mess with a national symbol. 'The (Urban Redevelopment) Authority repeatedly said, 'This is our icon; our people of Singapore love this, and we cannot do anything that's going to compromise it,' said Israeli architect Moshe Safdie, referencing the country's urban planning agency. 'And that was very much on our minds, as well: How to make something that has its own identity but is very complementary.' The 87-year-old said he only entertained the idea of extending the complex's soaring skybridge to meet the fourth tower 'for a few minutes.' Instead, his new 55-floor skyscraper, which broke ground on Tuesday, sits apart from its famous neighbors on an adjacent plot of land. Connecting the towers would have 'really compromised the existing scheme and spanning across just seemed unwise,' Safdie said, comparing his new high-rise to the dot of an exclamation point. 'It would be just more of the same, whereas we really wanted to create something.' The $8-billion expansion plan is a testament to the commercial success of Marina Bay Sands, which contains a hotel, mall, convention center and one of only two licensed casinos in the southeast Asian city-state. The US hospitality giant behind the resort, Las Vegas Sands, said the property attracted 38 million visitors and 2.19 billion Singapore dollars ($1.7 billion) in business spending last year alone. Safdie's new tower will expand the hotel's capacity by 570 suites, while adding more luxury retail and meeting space. The architect's eponymous firm has also designed an adjoining entertainment venue for the site. When the Massachusetts-based architect unveiled initial plans for the expansion in 2019, this 15,000-seat venue was situated on the far side of the fourth tower. But about a year ago, with progress stalled by Covid-19-related delays, Safdie proposed 'flipping' the scheme, lodging the arena between the new skyscraper and the original three — and in turn extending the distance between them. 'I came to the conclusion that it just didn't feel right, and that there (wasn't) enough space between the towers,' he explained. 'It meant a lot of reworking of the access and transportation … (but it) was a quantum jump improvement.' The architect nonetheless wanted to create a consistent design language for the complex. For one, the new building's boat-like roof — dubbed 'Skyloop,' it will host an observation deck, restaurants and public gardens, as well as cabanas and infinity pools for hotel guests — clearly nods to the original structure's iconic roof. 'The buildings look related,' Safdie said. 'They're in the same family.' At Tuesday's groundbreaking ceremony, Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong joined Safdie on stage to mark the start of construction with a symbolic shoveling of sand. Addressing guests at the event, Wong said the new structure 'will refresh our skyline.' The final design was, however, met with mixed reviews among Singaporeans online. On social media platform Reddit, the new tower was accused of being 'out of place' and sticking out 'like a sore thumb,' while being compared to a 'huge dehumidifier' or a 'fourth person lurking' next to its three neighbors. Other users were more sympathetic, suggesting that the tower will eventually 'blend in naturally' with the other skyscrapers being planned in the district — which was built on 660 hectares (1,631 acres) of land reclaimed from the Singapore Strait — over the coming decades. 'When it's all said and done, people will feel it's always been there,' Safdie argued. 'And they will love it as much as they love this building, if not more, because I think the sum total of the two together is greater than the individual parts.'
Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Yahoo
URA Draft Master Plan 2025 will give residents more flexibility to choose ideal home: Analysts; NParks investigating alleged animal abuse case of cat stuffed in container: Singapore live news
The Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Draft Master Plan 2025 will allow greater flexibility for residents in choosing their ideal home as amenities (and in some cases, workplaces) will be located closer to homes, said analysts. More green spaces, preserved heritage buildings, and access to waterfront and park views are being built into upcoming estates, with over 80,000 homes planned across more than 10 areas including Dover, Defu, Newton, and Orchard. Authorities are investigating a suspected case of animal abuse at a workers' canteen in Tuas, where a kitten was allegedly placed in a plastic container and rolled around. In a statement on 26 June, the National Parks Board (NParks) confirmed it is looking into the incident. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said in a Facebook post that the case was brought to their attention by an informant, who is the colleague of the alleged abuser. According to the SPCA, the kitten had been placed inside a plastic container, and rolled around repeatedly. The incident occurred at a workers' canteen at Tech Park Crescent in Tuas on 26 March, between 9.45pm and 10.30pm. Read more in our live blog below, including the latest local and international news and updates. The Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Draft Master Plan 2025 will allow greater flexibility for residents in choosing their ideal home as amenities (and in some cases, workplaces) will be located closer to homes, said analysts. The latest draft masterplan, Singapore's land use development blueprint for the next 10 to 15 years, sees a major shift in how residents live, work, and play. Analysts say the plan has a stronger focus on creating an environment that fosters a healthier and more active lifestyle, supports the Republic's ageing population, and addresses the challenges of climate change. More green spaces, preserved heritage buildings, and access to waterfront and park views are being built into upcoming estates, with over 80,000 homes planned across more than 10 areas including Dover, Defu, Newton, and Orchard. Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at property agency OrangeTee Group, told The Straits Times (ST) that the plan enhances quality of life for Singaporeans by providing more homes with access to sea, river, and park views, as well as more parks and amenities. This means that Singaporeans will have a more diverse array of housing options to suit their needs, be they near the city centre, schools, parks or waterways. A key feature of the blueprint is its push to decentralise workplaces and ease pressure on transport systems by building business hubs and homes closer together. Areas like the one-north precinct, already buzzing with over 50,000 knowledge workers, could see thousands of new homes in Dover-Medway and Mediapolis. For more on the expert analysis on the URA Draft Master Plan 2025, read here. Authorities are investigating a suspected case of animal abuse at a workers' canteen in Tuas, where a kitten was allegedly placed in a plastic container and rolled around. In a statement on 26 June, the National Parks Board (NParks) confirmed it is looking into the incident. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said in a Facebook post that the case was brought to their attention by an informant, who is the colleague of the alleged abuser. According to the SPCA, the kitten had been placed inside a plastic container, and rolled around repeatedly. The incident occurred at a workers' canteen at Tech Park Crescent in Tuas on 26 March, between 9.45pm and 10.30pm. SPCA inspectors conducted an unannounced site inspection on 1 April and were told that the kitten had been released since it was a community animal. The worker involved had received a stern warning, but the on-site manager refused to share CCTV footage or assist further with the investigation. For more on the alleged cat abuse, read here. The cannabis industry in Thailand is now facing a major shake-up as the government moves to recriminalise recreational use just three years after removing cannabis from its narcotics list in 2022. This move follows the withdrawal of the pro-legalisation Bhumjaithai Party from the ruling coalition due to the leaked phone call from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The Health Ministry on Tuesday (24 June) issued an order banning recreational sales and requiring a doctor's prescription for all retail purchases. The rule, which is set to take effect once published in the Royal Gazette, could happen within days. When it kicks in, the future of the billion-dollar industry will be uncertain. The sudden policy reversal has stunned those in the business. A dispensary employee in Bangkok said, "I feel a bit shocked because this is my main source of income. It's affecting me a little, actually, not just a little, it's really hitting me. And it will probably affect many shops; many shops are probably just as shocked because a lot of them invested heavily." For more on Thailand's push to recriminalise cannabis, read here. Singaporeans are being urged to defer non-essential travel to areas in the Middle East amid escalating regional tensions. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim issued the advisory on 25 June at Changi Airport, explaining that the authorities are concerned over the escalating tensions in the region. His remarks followed recent disruptions to flight routes, including the cancellation of a Scoot flight from Jeddah on 23 June that left 43 returning haj pilgrims stranded. The group was eventually booked on an alternative flight via Malaysia Airlines and arrived safely back in Singapore on 25 June. He confirmed that all Singaporean haj pilgrims who performed the pilgrimage this year have safely returned home. Associate Professor Faishal, who was at the airport to welcome the final batch of returning haj pilgrims, also shared that Singaporean students studying in the Middle East, including Islamic universities in Jordan and Egypt, were stranded after booking their flights home. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has since reached out and facilitated their return. For more on the travel advisory to the Middle East, read here. Thailand has approved a 1.75 billion baht (S$68.73 million) budget for the "Half-Half Thailand Travel" campaign, aimed at stimulating domestic tourism during the low season from June to September. Announced by Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong on Tuesday (24 June), the initiative is part of a larger 115 billion baht stimulus package endorsed on the same day. The campaign is expected to generate approximately 35 billion baht in tourism revenue through an additional 2.67 million additional domestic trips, and create an estimated 40,000 jobs between July and October. The campaign will offer 500,000 subsidised room nights, with each participant eligible to book up to five nights – at least two of which must be in secondary cities. In addition to subsidised accommodation, travellers will receive a 500 baht cash coupon per booking, redeemable at participating restaurants and tourist attractions after their check-in. This is intended to encourage spending in local economies and promote less-visited destinations. According to Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the initiative should attract at least 100,000 Thai participants. For more on Thailand's 'Half-Half' travel campaign, read here. The Urban Redevelopment Authority's (URA) Draft Master Plan 2025 will allow greater flexibility for residents in choosing their ideal home as amenities (and in some cases, workplaces) will be located closer to homes, said analysts. The latest draft masterplan, Singapore's land use development blueprint for the next 10 to 15 years, sees a major shift in how residents live, work, and play. Analysts say the plan has a stronger focus on creating an environment that fosters a healthier and more active lifestyle, supports the Republic's ageing population, and addresses the challenges of climate change. More green spaces, preserved heritage buildings, and access to waterfront and park views are being built into upcoming estates, with over 80,000 homes planned across more than 10 areas including Dover, Defu, Newton, and Orchard. Christine Sun, chief researcher and strategist at property agency OrangeTee Group, told The Straits Times (ST) that the plan enhances quality of life for Singaporeans by providing more homes with access to sea, river, and park views, as well as more parks and amenities. This means that Singaporeans will have a more diverse array of housing options to suit their needs, be they near the city centre, schools, parks or waterways. A key feature of the blueprint is its push to decentralise workplaces and ease pressure on transport systems by building business hubs and homes closer together. Areas like the one-north precinct, already buzzing with over 50,000 knowledge workers, could see thousands of new homes in Dover-Medway and Mediapolis. For more on the expert analysis on the URA Draft Master Plan 2025, read here. Authorities are investigating a suspected case of animal abuse at a workers' canteen in Tuas, where a kitten was allegedly placed in a plastic container and rolled around. In a statement on 26 June, the National Parks Board (NParks) confirmed it is looking into the incident. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) said in a Facebook post that the case was brought to their attention by an informant, who is the colleague of the alleged abuser. According to the SPCA, the kitten had been placed inside a plastic container, and rolled around repeatedly. The incident occurred at a workers' canteen at Tech Park Crescent in Tuas on 26 March, between 9.45pm and 10.30pm. SPCA inspectors conducted an unannounced site inspection on 1 April and were told that the kitten had been released since it was a community animal. The worker involved had received a stern warning, but the on-site manager refused to share CCTV footage or assist further with the investigation. For more on the alleged cat abuse, read here. The cannabis industry in Thailand is now facing a major shake-up as the government moves to recriminalise recreational use just three years after removing cannabis from its narcotics list in 2022. This move follows the withdrawal of the pro-legalisation Bhumjaithai Party from the ruling coalition due to the leaked phone call from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The Health Ministry on Tuesday (24 June) issued an order banning recreational sales and requiring a doctor's prescription for all retail purchases. The rule, which is set to take effect once published in the Royal Gazette, could happen within days. When it kicks in, the future of the billion-dollar industry will be uncertain. The sudden policy reversal has stunned those in the business. A dispensary employee in Bangkok said, "I feel a bit shocked because this is my main source of income. It's affecting me a little, actually, not just a little, it's really hitting me. And it will probably affect many shops; many shops are probably just as shocked because a lot of them invested heavily." For more on Thailand's push to recriminalise cannabis, read here. Singaporeans are being urged to defer non-essential travel to areas in the Middle East amid escalating regional tensions. Acting Minister-in-charge of Muslim Affairs Faishal Ibrahim issued the advisory on 25 June at Changi Airport, explaining that the authorities are concerned over the escalating tensions in the region. His remarks followed recent disruptions to flight routes, including the cancellation of a Scoot flight from Jeddah on 23 June that left 43 returning haj pilgrims stranded. The group was eventually booked on an alternative flight via Malaysia Airlines and arrived safely back in Singapore on 25 June. He confirmed that all Singaporean haj pilgrims who performed the pilgrimage this year have safely returned home. Associate Professor Faishal, who was at the airport to welcome the final batch of returning haj pilgrims, also shared that Singaporean students studying in the Middle East, including Islamic universities in Jordan and Egypt, were stranded after booking their flights home. The Islamic Religious Council of Singapore (Muis) has since reached out and facilitated their return. For more on the travel advisory to the Middle East, read here. Thailand has approved a 1.75 billion baht (S$68.73 million) budget for the "Half-Half Thailand Travel" campaign, aimed at stimulating domestic tourism during the low season from June to September. Announced by Tourism and Sports Minister Sorawong Thienthong on Tuesday (24 June), the initiative is part of a larger 115 billion baht stimulus package endorsed on the same day. The campaign is expected to generate approximately 35 billion baht in tourism revenue through an additional 2.67 million additional domestic trips, and create an estimated 40,000 jobs between July and October. The campaign will offer 500,000 subsidised room nights, with each participant eligible to book up to five nights – at least two of which must be in secondary cities. In addition to subsidised accommodation, travellers will receive a 500 baht cash coupon per booking, redeemable at participating restaurants and tourist attractions after their check-in. This is intended to encourage spending in local economies and promote less-visited destinations. According to Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the initiative should attract at least 100,000 Thai participants. For more on Thailand's 'Half-Half' travel campaign, read here.
