Marina Square closing down for redevelopment
From Maju Forest to Gillman Barracks and Tan Boon Liat Building, it honestly feels like we’ve been hit with news of another spot in Singapore being redeveloped every few weeks. Now, another iconic landmark, Marina Square, is joining the list.
Whether you’re excited about seeing Singapore’s city centre get a glow-up or already feeling a little tired of watching familiar places disappear, redevelopment often comes with mixed feelings. For now, here’s everything you need to know about why Marina Square is closing and what you can look forward to when the project is completed.
Why & when is Marina Square closing?
Image credit: Singapore Land Group Limited
Singapore Land Group Limited (SingLand), the real estate developer behind Marina Square, has announced that the shopping mall will close on 31st March 2027 for a major redevelopment of the area.
The site will be transformed into Singapore’s 1st hyper-mixed development, bringing together residential, hotel, office, retail, dining, and lifestyle spaces in one sprawling development.
And if you’re worried about the mall’s closure affecting your staycation plans, there’s good news: the 3 hotels connected to Marina Square – Pan Pacific Singapore, PARKROYAL COLLECTION Marina Bay, and Mandarin Oriental Singapore – will remain open throughout the construction period.
What are the redevelopment plans?
Artist’s impression of the 3 new towers to be integrated into the existing Marina Square precinct.
Image credit: Singapore Land Group Limited
According to SingLand’s CEO, the project aims to “reimagine Marina Square as a more connected and compelling destination”, with new additions complementing the existing hotels and the mall being repositioned around “experience-led retail, sports, wellness, and community spaces”.
That sounds like quite a lot of change, so we’ve broken down the redevelopment plans:
A new hotel & serviced apartment
Artist’s impression of the mixed-use block and landscaped terraces surrounding it.
Image credit: Singapore Land Group Limited
There’ll be a new 304-room hotel and a 260-key serviced apartment added to the precinct. This means the entire area will eventually boast 5 hospitality buildings, catering to a wider mix of guests, from business travellers and tourists to locals looking for a staycation.
The new hotel will be located on the 4th to 10th floors of a 19-storey mixed-use block. Meanwhile, the 24-storey serviced apartment block will feature views of Marina Bay and the Bay East Garden.
Offices with direct access to amenities
Office workers can also look forward to having direct access to retail, dining, and wellness spaces right downstairs, making it easier to grab lunch, squeeze in a workout, or unwind after work without having to venture far.
The offices will occupy the 12th to 19th floors of the same 19-storey mixed-use block mentioned above, and even offer views of Marina Bay, the War Memorial Park, and the Civic District, according to SingLand.
A refreshed Marina Square mall
Artist’s impression of the mall after the redevelopment.
Image credit: Singapore Land Group Limited
While Marina Square will be closing in March 2027, it won’t be gone forever. The existing 4-storey mall will be refreshed to offer more F&B options, alongside sports, wellness, and lifestyle concepts. There’ll also be plenty of greenery and pet-friendly spaces, so pawrents can rejoice.
Getting around the precinct will also be made easier, with direct roofscape access connecting the existing hotels and new towers, a new ground floor link between Raffles Avenue and Raffles Boulevard, and a sheltered walkway to the upcoming NS Square.
P.S. The NS Square is one of the exciting openings in Singapore to look forward to within the next few years.
A new public park
It’s not just the mall that’s getting a refresh. The area above Stamford Canal will be turned into a 6,500sqm public park, complete with lush greenery, play areas for the kiddos, and event spaces for the community.
Luxury homes ranging from apartments to penthouses
Artist’s impression of the upcoming residential development.
Image credit: Singapore Land Group Limited
There’ll also be a 49-storey luxury residential tower with 204 homes, including 3- to 5-bedroom apartments and penthouses.
For the average person, living in such a prime location might remain a pipe dream, but those who can afford it will get to enjoy a home right in the heart of the city, with convenient access to a wide range of retail, wellness, and cultural offerings within the wider precinct.
When will the redevelopment of the Marina Square precinct be completed?
Works will begin progressively once Marina Square shopping mall closes on 31st March 2027, with construction expected to be completed by 2031.
More details will be announced at key milestones, so we’ll have to wait and see how the area transforms over the next few years.
It’s not goodbye forever for Marina Square
Existing Marina Square facade.
Image credit: Singapore Land Group Limited
Redevelopment plans can be bittersweet, especially when they mean saying goodbye to places that have been part of our routines for years. While not everyone may be equally excited to see familiar spaces change, the plans for Marina Square do give us lots to look forward to.
We’ll first have to bid farewell to the mall when it closes in March 2027, but with the revamped precinct expected to be ready by 2031, this could be one transformation worth keeping an eye on – even if we’ll definitely miss popping by the old mall in the meantime.
More malls in Singapore to check out:
Cover image adapted from: Singapore Land Group Limited