Buildings in Singapore: Iconic Skyline & Modern Architecture

Singapore is home to some of the world’s most stunning architecture. From skyscrapers that punctuate the skyline to colonial buildings that tell stories of the past, Singapore offers a feast for architecture enthusiasts.

From futuristic superstructures to colonial charm, the city-state offers a dynamic architectural landscape that reflects its cultural diversity and technological ambition.

Here’s a look at 12 iconic buildings in Singapore that define its skyline.

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1. Marina Bay Sands

Highlights

1. SkyPark Observation Deck: Soar 56 stories high to the SkyPark for 360° views of Marina Bay, Gardens by the Bay, and beyond.
2. Infinity Pool: World’s largest rooftop infinity pool, available to hotel guests only—swim with unmatched skyline views.
3. Spectra Light Show: Enjoy the dazzling water and light spectacle held nightly at the Event Plaza.
4. Celebrity Restaurants: Dine at Michelin-starred restaurants like CUT by Wolfgang Puck or Waku Ghin by Tetsuya Wakuda.

Architecture

• Designed by Moshe Safdie, it’s shaped like a card deck with three towers topped by a boat-like SkyPark.
• A feat of engineering, it uses cantilever structures and advanced seismic techniques.

Facilities

• Casino, shopping mall, museum, and theaters.
• Hotel with 2,500+ rooms.
• Convention center and fitness club.

Accessibility

• Fully accessible with ramps, elevators, and dedicated parking.
• Wheelchair rental services are available at the hotel concierge.

Costs Involved

• SkyPark: SGD 32 (approx. INR 2,000).
• Dining and hotel prices vary.

Location & How to Get There

Address: 10 Bayfront Ave, Singapore 018956

How to Get There:

• MRT: Bayfront Station (CE1/DT16)
• Taxi: SGD 10–20 from the city center

Pro Tips

• Visit at sunset for magical skyline views.
• Book a room to access the infinity pool.

2. The Esplanade – Theatres on the Bay

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Esplanade Theatres_on_the_Bay

Highlights

1. Concert Hall & Theatre: World-class performances from Broadway to ballet.
2. Outdoor Waterfront Stage: Free shows by local artists with scenic views.
3. Roof Terrace: Open to the public for a peaceful retreat above the city.

Architecture

• Designed by DP Architects and Michael Wilford.
• Its distinctive domes resemble durians, Singapore’s beloved fruit.

Facilities

• Gift shop, cafes, and fine-dining restaurants.
• Performance venues for concerts, plays, and exhibitions.

Accessibility

• Fully accessible with ramps, lifts, and restrooms.
• Tactile flooring and hearing-assist devices are available.

Costs Involved

• Free entry to the building and outdoor events.
• Ticketed performances from SGD 30.

Location

Address: 1 Esplanade Dr, Singapore 038981

How to Get There:

• MRT: Esplanade Station (CC3)
• Bus: Multiple services stop nearby.

Pro Tip

• Check their website for free weekend performances.

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3. Raffles Hotel

Highlights:

1. Long Bar: Home of the original Singapore Sling cocktail.
2. Colonial Charm: Enjoy heritage tours of this grand dame.
3. Boutique Shopping Arcade: High-end brands in a colonial setting.

Architecture

• Raffles Hotel has a colonial-style architecture by Regent Alfred John Bidwell.
• Restored to its 1915 grandeur, featuring colonnaded corridors and whitewashed façades.

Facilities

• Heritage suites, fine dining, luxury spa.
• An on-site museum showcasing its history.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair-accessible with ramps and elevators.

Costs Involved

• Afternoon Tea: SGD 98.
• Room rates from SGD 1,000 per night.

Location & How to Get There

Address: 1 Beach Rd, Singapore 189673

How to Get There:

• MRT: City Hall Station (NS25/EW13)
• Short walk from Bugis or Suntec.

Pro Tips

• Reserve the Long Bar early; it gets packed by evening.

4. Gardens by the Bay

Highlights

1. Supertree Grove: Vertical gardens that light up spectacularly at night.
2. Flower Dome & Cloud Forest: Two climate-controlled biodomes showcasing exotic flora.
3. OCBC Skyway: Elevated walkway for panoramic views.

Architecture

• Garden by the Bay has a sustainable design using solar power, rainwater collection, and cooling systems.
• Designed by Grant Associates and Wilkinson Eyre.

Facilities

• Cafes, restrooms, and stroller/wheelchair rentals.
• Gift shops with botanical-themed merchandise.

Accessibility

• Fully accessible.
• Complimentary wheelchair service is available at entrance points.

Costs Involved

• Flower Dome & Cloud Forest: SGD 28.
• OCBC Skyway: SGD 10.

Location & How to Get There

Address: 18 Marina Gardens Dr, Singapore 018953

How to Get There:

• MRT: Bayfront Station (CE1/DT16)
• Walking distance from Marina Bay Sands.

Pro Tip

• Go in the evening to catch the Garden Rhapsody light show.

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5. Jewel Changi Airport

Highlights

1. HSBC Rain Vortex:Jewel Changi has the world’s tallest indoor waterfall, a stunning centerpiece.
2. Canopy Park: Walking nets, mirror maze, and sky gardens.
3. Shiseido Forest Valley: A lush indoor forest with serene trails.

Architecture

• Designed by Moshe Safdie.
• A glass and steel toroidal dome seamlessly integrates nature and retail.

Facilities

• Shopping, dining, hotel, cinema, and baggage services.

Accessibility

• Fully accessible with ample signage and lift access.
• Wheelchair services at concierge desks.

Costs Involved

• Entry to Jewel: Free.
• Attractions: SGD 5–15 per activity.

Location & How to Get There

Address: 78 Airport Blvd, Singapore 819666

How to Get There:

• MRT: Changi Airport Station (CG2)
• Connected via walkways to Terminals 1, 2, and 3.

Pro Tips

• Visit on a layover, there’s luggage storage for convenience.

6. Shophouses in Singapore

Highlights:

1. Colorful Facades: These narrow, multi-story buildings are iconic for their vibrant color schemes and elaborate tilework.
2. Cultural Hotspots: Shophouses house trendy cafés, boutiques, galleries, and local eateries, especially in areas like Katong, Chinatown, and Emerald Hill.
3. Living History: Many are conserved under Singapore’s heritage laws, offering a glimpse into life during colonial and early post-independence periods.

Architecture

• A blend of Chinese, Malay, and European styles, also known as “Straits Eclectic.”
• Typically feature five-foot covered walkways (known as “five-foot ways”), wooden shutters, decorative tiles, and intricate plasterwork.
• Varying façade designs based on architectural era (Early, Transitional, Late, Art Deco).

Facilities

• Varies by use, many now serve as restaurants, cafes, boutique hotels, or private residences.
• Common features include patios, courtyards, and street-level storefronts.

Accessibility

• Older shophouses may have narrow entrances and stairs.
• Many restored ones are updated for accessibility.

Costs Involved

• Viewing from the street is free.
• Cafés and boutiques may have standard menu prices.

Pro Tip: Best photo ops are in Joo Chiat/Katong, Emerald Hill, and Blair Road. Go during daylight for the full effect of their colors and charm.

Location & How to Get There

Popular Locations:

• Joo Chiat Road (East Coast)
• Emerald Hill (Orchard)
• Kampong Glam
• Chinatown

How to Get There:

• MRT & Walk: All major shophouse districts are near MRT stations like Bugis, Chinatown, or Eunos.
• Taxi/Bus: Widely accessible throughout the city.

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7. Parkview Square

Highlights

1. Art Deco Architecture: Often called Singapore’s “Gotham Building” for its dark, majestic façade and vintage design that resembles something out of Batman.
2. Atlas Bar: Step into the grand lobby and enjoy cocktails at Atlas, one of the world’s most beautiful bars, known for its towering gin collection and opulent decor.
3. Sculptures & Art: The plaza features bronze sculptures of famous historical figures like Winston Churchill and Sun Yat-sen.

Architecture

• Parkview Square was designed by the American firm James Adams Design and DP Architects (Singapore).
• Inspired by Art Deco skyscrapers of 1920s New York, the building is clad in granite, bronze, and lacquered aluminum.
• Towering, symmetrical design, detailed exterior carvings, and a majestic presence make it one of the most unique commercial office buildings in the city.

Facilities

• Office spaces and business lounges.
• Atlas Bar for fine dining and socializing.
• Private underground car park.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair-accessible with ramps and elevators.
• Easy drop-off and pickup points at the main entrance.

Costs Involved

• Building access is free; drinks at Atlas Bar start from SGD 20 onwards.

Pro Tip: Visit at night to see the building and plaza beautifully illuminated — perfect for photos.

Location & How to Get There

Address: 600 North Bridge Road, Singapore 188778

How to Get There:

• MRT: Bugis Station (EW12/DT14), then a short 3-minute walk.
• Taxi: Easily accessible from anywhere in Central Singapore.

8. OCBC Centre

Highlights

• Sky Terrace (Staff-only): Offers panoramic CBD views (rarely open to the public).
• Artworks and Murals: Located in the lobby, open to all visitors.

Architecture

• Brutalist style by I.M. Pei.
• Designed to resemble an open book.

Facilities

• Banking, cafes, and art installations.

Accessibility

• Accessible entrances and lifts.

Costs Involved

• No entry fee; public areas are free.

Location

Address: 65 Chulia St, Singapore 049513

How to Get There:

• MRT: Raffles Place Station (EW14/NS26)

Pro Tip

• Visit on weekdays for less crowded public areas.

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9. Parkroyal Collection Pickering

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkroyal_Collection_Pickering

Highlights

1. Green Hotel: Features 15,000 square meters of sky gardens.
2. Infinity Pool: Overlooks Chinatown and CBD.
3. Garden Walks: Curved paths surrounded by greenery.

Architecture

• Parkroyal Collection was designed by WOHA.
• A vertical garden hotel with sustainable water and energy systems.

Facilities

• Spa, gym, award-winning restaurant, meeting spaces.

Accessibility

• Fully accessible.
• Eco-conscious design enhances mobility flow.

Costs Involved

• Rooms start from SGD 350.

Location

Address: 3 Upper Pickering St, Singapore 058289

How to Get There:

• MRT: Clarke Quay Station (NE5)

Pro Tip

• Book a garden suite for the full experience.

10. The Interlace

1. Unique Stacking Design: A residential complex designed like Lego blocks.
2. Recreational Spaces: Pools, BBQ pits, jogging trails.
3. Award-Winning: World Building of the Year 2015.

Architecture

• Designed by OMA and Ole Scheeren.
• 31 blocks stacked in hexagonal configurations.

Facilities

• Gym, pools, gardens, and function rooms.

Accessibility

• Ramps and lifts are available.

Costs Involved

• Private residential property; guided tours by appointment.

Location

Address: Depot Rd, Singapore

How to Get There:

• Take a bus or a taxi from Harbourfront MRT.

Pro Tips

• Ideal for architecture students or enthusiasts.

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11. Capitol Singapore

Highlights

1. Capitol Theatre: Restored art deco cinema.
2. Integrated Development: Combines shopping, dining, and heritage.

Architecture

• Colonial-meets-contemporary design.

Facilities

• Hotel, cinema, restaurants, boutiques.

Accessibility

• Fully accessible.

Costs Involved

• Free entry; dining and shopping prices vary.

Location

Address: 13 Stamford Rd, Singapore 178905

How to Get There:

• MRT: City Hall Station (NS25/EW13)

Pro Tip

• Catch a film or show at the Capitol Theatre for a unique experience.

12. National Gallery Singapore

Highlights

1. World’s Largest Public Collection of Southeast Asian Art.
2. Rotunda Library & Archives: A Rare collection of legal and historical documents.
3. Roof Garden: Overlooking Padang and CBD.

Architecture

• Combines two national monuments: the Supreme Court and the City Hall.
• Restored with modern interiors and glass skybridges.

Facilities

• Galleries, cafes, and a museum shop.

Accessibility

• Fully accessible with ramps and assistive services.

Costs Involved

• Admission: SGD 20; discounts for locals and students.

Location

Address: 1 St Andrew’s Rd, Singapore 178957

How to Get There:

• MRT: City Hall or Esplanade Station

Pro Tips

• Free guided tours are available daily.

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FAQs

Which buildings in Singapore have the best view?

Marina Bay Sands SkyPark offers the best panoramic views, especially during sunset.

Can I visit all these buildings in one trip?

Yes, most are located within proximity in the central area, so plan over 2–3 days.

Are these buildings in Singapore accessible to disabled travelers?

Yes, all listed buildings are wheelchair-friendly and have accessible facilities.

What’s the most family-friendly building?

Jewel Changi Airport with Canopy Park and Forest Valley is great for kids and adults alike.

Are there any free observation decks?

The Helix Bridge and Esplanade Roof Terrace offer scenic views at no cost.

Which buildings in Singapore are best for architecture photography?

The Interlace and Parkroyal Collection Pickering are favorites among photographers for their innovative designs.