Prime Minister Najib is in town—and on Jan 15, he officially opened the Marina One project with PM Lee. While the PM of Malaysia’s main reason for his two-day visit is the eighth Singapore-Malaysia leaders’ retreat, the opening of Marina One is no less exciting; probably more, even.
Designed by Ingenhoven Architects, the mixed-development project in the Marina Bay financial district houses facilities for both living and working—in a 400,000sqm complex comprising four high-rise buildings. Two office towers take up half the space, while the other two residential towers provide 1,042 city apartments and penthouses, made to accommodate about 3,000 residents.
But its prettiest attraction is the “Green Heart”, a public space extending over several stories that’s packed with flora. If the levels of green look a little familiar, it might be because it was inspired by Asian paddy field terraces, which comprise over 350 different types of trees and plants. A stroll through the ground level should give you the impression of walking through a rainforest—and convince you that the view isn’t always better from the top. Solar screening devices that reduce solar radiation into the building complete the sustainable architecture design that Ingenhoven Architects prides itself on.
If the shiny, steely exterior of Marina One looks intimidating, you’ll be relieved to find that the open terraces are also home to restaurants, cafes, retail areas, a supermarket, and even a foodcourt. Pop by for a look yourself; the complex is directly connected to four MRT lines (Downtown, Shenton Way, and Marina Bay are the closest).
Marina One is located at 7 Central Boulevard, Singapore 018936.
