Marina IR's Progress On Track

Source : The Straits Times, June 10, 2009

CONSTRUCTION of the hotel towers at the Marina Bay Sands integrated resort (IR) is on target for completion by next month.

The three hotel towers have been built past level 50 - just five floors away from the 55-storey peak for hotel rooms, Marina Bay Sands announced in a statement yesterday.

The developer said it will hold an official topping-out ceremony early next month, presided over by Las Vegas Sands Corp chairman Sheldon Adelson.

The towers will contain around 2,600 luxury hotel rooms that are simultaneously being fitted out.

The US$5.4 billion (S$7.9 billion) IR will open by the end of the year, though likely not fully.

When completely open, it will comprise a casino, hotel rooms, convention and retail space, as well as various entertainment facilities.

Once the hotel towers reach 55 floors, Marina Bay Sands can start construction of the 56th floor and the 1ha Sands SkyPark on the 57th floor.

The SkyPark, which will stand some 200m from the ground, will have a public observation deck in the world's largest building cantilever.

Mr George Tanasijevich, general manager and vice-president of Singapore development at Marina Bay Sands, said the topping out will be one of many significant achievements over the next few months.

'We are putting the roof on the Expo and Convention Centre and are lining up luxury brands and cutting-edge designers for our retail stores.'

Last year, there were concerns that the project would not progress smoothly given the credit crunch. But Las Vegas Sands has assured investors that the Singapore IR is its top priority.