“Sands proposed an outstanding IR development (“Marina Bay Sands”) that will boost Singapore’s attractiveness as a premium destination for business and leisure visitors.

“Leveraging on Sands’ expertise and excellent track record in MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions), the proposal will create a strong MICE cluster in Marina Bay and enhance Singapore’s MICE capabilities and offerings. The Marina Bay Sands will have a combination of exhibition and meeting space amounting to 110,000 sqm in gross floor area, which is 21⁄2 times the size of the convention and exhibition centre at Suntec City.

“The Marina Bay Sands will offer a wide range of leisure products, such as world-class entertainment in two 2,000-seat theatres, an ArtScience museum, luxury retail outlets, and unique dining venues such as the floating pavilions in the Marina Bay. There will also be attractive public spaces and interesting activity nodes such as an ice-skating rink and indoor canals,” said the Ministerial Committee, which evaluated the proposals.

It added, “The design of the Marina Bay Sands is unique and will provide a memorable image and destination attraction for Marina Bay. The overall composition fits very well with existing and future developments. The setting back of the hotel towers from the waterfront opens up expansive views to the city and the entire Marina Bay. The low-rise MICE facilities, casino and theatres fronting Marina Bay are crowned by wave-like roof forms.

“The design also has many distinctive features. The Sky Park above the hotel towers will provide breathtaking 360-degree views of Marina Bay, the city and the future Gardens-by-the-Bay. The ArtScience Museum offers a “welcoming gesture”, inviting people to Marina Bay. Visitors will enjoy attractive public spaces, such as the Event Plaza which can hold up to 10,000 people and the roof-top amphitheatre above the ArtScience Museum.”

The committee, chaired by DPM Professor S Jayakumaralso noted Sands’ track record “in developing and operating large successful IRs from the ground up, such as the Venetian Resort in Las Vegas, which also houses the Sands Expo and Convention Centre. In Asia, Sands played a key role in developing the master plan for the Cotai strip in Macau”.

Sands also committed to the highest development investment of S$3.85 billion. Together with the land price and other associated capital costs, the total investment by Sands would exceed S$5 billion, making it one of the largest investments in the world for a single IR.

The Marina Bay Sands is expected to stimulate an additional $2.7 billion (or approximately 0.8%) to Singapore’s annual Gross Domestic Product and generate 30,000 jobs throughout the economy by 2015.

Sands’ Chief Operating Officer, Mr William Weidner, said, “Our presence in Singapore, combined with our footprint in North Asia and access to China, the largest source of tourism in the foreseeable future, will enable us to generate mutual benefits for both economies and for visitors alike.”