Las Vegas Sands Corp has officially broken ground on the highly anticipated US $8 billion expansion of Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay Sands, marking the start of what is being billed as “MBS 2.0” and a transformative chapter for the city-state’s tourism and entertainment landscape.

The ceremony, held on July 15, saw the presence of Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong—who hailed the original 2005 investment as “a bold commitment…underpinned by confidence in Singapore’s future” and noted his pleasure that “this partnership has flourished — now levelling it up” . Also attending were Minister Grace Fu, fellow dignitaries, as well as key Sands executives including co‑founder Miriam Adelson, CEO Robert Goldstein, and President & COO Patrick Dumont

A skyline-defining addition

At the heart of MBS 2.0 will be a dramatic 55‑storey hotel tower housing 570 ultra‑luxury suites. Crowned by a monumental 76,000 sq ft “Skyloop”, this rooftop spectacle—rotated to frame sweeping Marina Bay vistas—will feature infinity pools, lush gardens, destination dining, and both public and exclusive guest zones. The podium adjoining the tower will offer nearly 200,000 sq ft of premium MICE facilities alongside a purpose‑built 15,000‑seat arena designed by Populous—the firm behind The Sphere in Las Vegas and London’s O₂ Arena

Luxury, legacy, and economic impact

Robert Goldstein drew attention to Marina Bay Sands’ legacy: “Marina Bay Sands is the world’s most successful integrated resort in history, and the gold standard in the industry… we are proud to carry [Sheldon Adelson’s] legacy forward with today’s groundbreaking ceremony” . Echoing this, Patrick Dumont underscored the project’s economic significance, noting Sands has already invested over US $15 billion into Singapore and spent 92% of procurement locally—benefiting 12,000 employees and SMEs across the nation .

This latest commitment follows the securing of a landmark S$12 billion (US $9 billion) credit facility in February 2025 to finance the build-out. In January, Singapore’s Tourism Board also granted Sands expanded gaming area allocation in return for a S$1 billion upfront payment.

Timeline & future outlook

Construction is set to be completed by June 2030, with doors opening in January 2031. It marks the extension of Sands’ initial 2005 vision, which redefined luxury tourism and has since firmly positioned Singapore as a global hospitality hub.

MBS 2.0 promises more than new structures—it’s poised to be a cultural and lifestyle beacon. Expect architectural brilliance from Safdie Architects and Populous, world-class entertainment acts, elite wellness and retail experiences, and enhanced connectivity via MRT and proximity to Gardens by the Bay.