A guide to Singapore’s skyline

The Red Dot, the Garden City, Lion the City - Singapore goes by many names but none adequately summarises its dynamic appeal. As a city-state, Singapore is both the country and its capital and this immaculately clean region is one of many contrasts. In this guide, we look at some of Singapore’s most iconic buildings: 

Situated in the same bay as Marina Bay Sands, Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay is an amphitheatre and concert hall. It is commonly known as The Durian due to its striking resemblance to two halves of durian (a fruit popular in the region). The building is well-known but that doesn’t mean it’s well-loved - since opening in 2002, Esplanade has been given various nicknames, not all flattering. Beloved or berated, however, it’s an undeniable part of Singapore’s urban identity. 

Known as ‘Little Thailand,’ Golden Mile Complex is a treasure trove of authentic Thai eateries and grocery stores. Despite its nondescript interior, its exterior offers an interesting Brutalist style that is reminiscent of its time. Built in the 1960s, the 16-storey building was hailed as an architectural and cultural marvel. Its shallow, staggered profile was aimed at improving ventilation and providing protective shading making it a unique site in Singapore. 

When Marina Bay Sands opened in 2010, it completely changed the look of Singapore’s financial centre. The hotel has become a signature part of Singapore’s skyline, immediately identified by its three towers and cantilevered sky garden, which hosts the world’s largest rooftop infinity pool. As another notable project from architect Moshe Safdie, Marina Bay Sands, or MBS as it is commonly known, boasts a super casino, shopping mall, art museum, theatre and a hotel.

Watch Visit With Us’ Marina Bay Sands hotel tour and review to decide whether you’d like to extend your Singapore cruise with a hotel stay. 

Located in the heart of Singapore’s financial centre, Parkroyal Collection Pickering stands out on the skyline of concrete and glass with its layers of greenery. The hotel-in-a-garden concept sets the building apart and presents a complex project for capturing solar energy and rainwater. The exterior is an urban enclave of lush sky gardens, cascading waterfalls, plant-covered terraces and contoured surfaces and makes for a dramatic-looking podium. 

With 31 identical 6-storey buildings stacked and interconnected, The Interlace is a dazzling sight to behold. The multi-award-winning condominium optimises the passing of light and air and its neat design ensures that nearly every apartment has a wide panoramic view of Singapore’s skyline. What’s more, each building has access to its own courtyards, swimming pools, tennis courts and leafy roof gardens.