Marina Bay Waterfront Gardens

I just read from the “mypaper” newspaper recently that there will be 3 waterfront gardens opening in Marina Bay and the first waterfront gardens in Marina Bay will opens in June 2012, it will transform the financial district into an icon of flourishing flora.

When ready, Bay South will feature two conservatories which employ cutting-edge cooling technology to promote plant growth. At 54ha, Bay South is the largest garden in the Gardens by the Bay project – spanning a total of some 100ha – by the National Parks Board. The other two gardens are Bay East and Bay Central.


One of the two conservatories, called the Flower Dome, will showcase olive trees among others, and flower varieties from the Mediterranean, such as tulips, chrysanthemums and roses. At 1.2ha, or about the size of two football fields, it will also house two restaurants and a 2,306-sq-m space which can accommodate up to 1,000 people. Its sister structure situated nearby, a 0.8ha glass dome called Cloud Forest, will feature flowers and plants which grow in high altitudes, such as those from places like South America and Mount Kinabalu in Sabah.

About 226,000 plants worldwide are expected to be featured in both conservatories. Jst few days ago, National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan helped to put the Flower Dome’s last glass panel in place in a ceremony that marked the completion of its 16,000-sq-m facade.

The Gardens project was conceptualised in 2004 and work began in 2007. Mr Mah said that work on Bay East has begun and is expected to be completed either next year or in 2013. Bay Central is still being planned, he added.

The first phase of the Gardens’ construction, which includes Bay South and some parts of Bay East, costs about $1 billion. In his speech, Mr Mah referred to the Gardens as the “new crown jewel” of Marina Bay, as well as fulfilling “Singapore’s vision of being a City in a Garden”.

He added that when completed, it will help to create a buzz in the Marina Bay area and showcase the country’s horticultural expertise. He told reporters: “It’s going to be very unique. So, that would, in itself, make for a special attraction. Every tourist who comes to Singapore must see this place.”