The Float @ Marina Bay

The Float at Marina Bay
Marina Bay Floating Platform
The Float at Marina Bay in 2019.
Map
Full nameThe Float@Marina Bay
Address20 Raffles Avenue, Singapore 039805
LocationMarina Bay, Central Region, Singapore
Coordinates1°17′18″N 103°51′32″E / 1.28833°N 103.85889°E / 1.28833; 103.85889
Public transit CC4  DT15  Promenade
OwnerSport Singapore
OperatorSport Singapore
Capacity27,000
SurfaceGrass
Construction
Broke groundMarch 2006; 18 years ago (2006-03)
Opened20 May 2007; 17 years ago (2007-05-20)
ClosedMarch 2023; 1 year ago (2023-03)
DemolishedMarch 2023; 1 year ago (2023-03)
Rebuilt2027; 3 years' time (2027) (as NS Square)
ArchitectDefence Science and Technology Agency
Tenants
Sport Singapore

The Float at Marina Bay, stylised as The Float@Marina Bay and also known as the Marina Bay Floating Platform, was a multi-purpose outdoor venue at the Downtown Core area of Marina Bay, Singapore. The venue consists of a 120 by 83 m (394 by 272 feet) steel platform in the Marina Reservoir, and a 27,000-seat grandstand along the shore. The floating platform can bear up to 1,070 tonnes, equivalent to the total weight of 9,000 people, 200 tonnes of stage props and three 30-tonne military vehicles.[1][2][3]

The Float was built in 2007 as an interim venue for events usually held at the National Stadium in Kallang while it was being rebuilt as part of the Singapore Sports Hub project—including sporting events (such as football),[4] concerts, arts and cultural performances, and festivities such as the National Day Parade (NDP). It formed part of the Marina Bay Street Circuit that hosts Formula One's Singapore Grand Prix, and hosted the ceremonies of the inaugural 2010 Summer Youth Olympics. Since 2010, The Float has hosted the graduation parade for full-time National Servicemen who had completed their basic military training.[5] The Float has also hosted New Year's Eve and Lunar New Year events.

The Float was initially intended as a temporary venue, but the NDP was only held at the new National Stadium once in 2016 and likely 2024—a decision that received mixed reception for its different atmosphere, and increased costs of the event over those held at The Float. In 2017, it was announced that The Float would remain the primary venue for the NDP (outside of those held at the Padang every five years), and that The Float will be demolished, reconstructed and renamed to a permanent venue known as NS Square—which will expand upon The Float with a capacity for 30,000 including a multi-purpose space for community activities, as well as a museum devoted to the national service of the country. Designed by the local WOHA Architects, demolition of The Float began in 2023, with completion of NS Square expected in 2027.[6][7][8][9]

  1. ^ Liaw Wy-Cin (21 June 2007). "All parade tickets given out". The Straits Times. p. H3.
  2. ^ Brenda Goh (2007). "New stage for the bay". Voices@Central Singapore (36, September/October 2007): 24–25. ISSN 0219-6344.
  3. ^ Tay Suan Chiang (19 August 2007). "Staying afloat". The Sunday Times. p. L7.
  4. ^ "Meet the world's largest floating football stadium". Digital Journal. 12 April 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2020.
  5. ^ "BMT Graduation Parade held at Marina Bay Floating Platform". Asia One. 2 October 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2020.
  6. ^ Min, Ang Hwee. "First look at NS Square, the 'red dot' of downtown Singapore". CNA. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
  7. ^ Cite error: The named reference :0 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  8. ^ "NDP 2022 to be held at Marina Bay floating platform following delay in NS Square redevelopment". TODAY. Retrieved 22 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Construction starts on NS Square at Marina Bay". CNA. Retrieved 29 April 2024.