Early 1800s – the historic waterfront was the entry point for visitors and immigrants seeking better opportunities in life.

1965 – post-independence years saw expansion of the city centre to accommodate Singapore’s status as a business and financial hub and the construction of new public and private landmarks along the waterfront.

1969 – embarked on land reclamation project to create 360 hectares of prime waterfront site began at Marina Bay. Our place management efforts help to push Marina Bay beyond physical transformations, with the creation and enhancement of public spaces, as well as the programming of events and activities to inject buzz and vibrancy into the area.

1970s to 1990s – With land reclamation works beginning only in the 1970s, glittering skyscrapers of the Central Business District are surrounded by a multitude of world-class leisure destinations and civic spaces for the community, truly making it the People’s Bay.  In the reclamation process, Inner/Outer Basins (anchorage area for commercial and naval vessels), Telok Ayer Basin (now site of Asia Square Tower 1 and 2) and Inner Roads was removed from the map by reclaiming land, while the Singapore River’s mouth now flows into the bay instead of directly into the sea. By the late 1990s, the Marina Bay area covers a total of 360 hectares of prime land for development.

1983 – URA first articulated the long-term visions for the Marina Bay area in the Master Plan.

1988 – URA shared the draft plan for Marina Bay development. The objectives for the development, among which are optimising the waterfront location and creating a distinctive image with international landmarks that could become a focal point for the city.

1992 –  The reclamation work for reclaimed land forms what is today the Marina Centre and Marina South areas, was completed.

1994 – The new waterfront Marina Bay district is a testament to Singapore’ progress. The final 38 hectares of land were reclaimed at Bayfront to create the shore profile of Marina Bay that we see today.

2005 – Urban Redevelopment Authority spent $400,000 on a branding exercise to name the Marina Bay area in order to sell the new major developments in the area. The Singapore government also spent $35 million to complete the 3.5 km Waterfront Promenade around Marina Bay. It includes a new eco-friendly visitor centre and The Helix linking Bayfront to Marina Centre where the Youth Olympic Park is located. The Promontory @ Marina Bay (formerly Central Promontory Site) will be used as an interim event and public space used for activities such as theatres and carnivals.

In 2008, Marina Barrage was built, converting the Singapore river and the bay into a freshwater Marina Reservoir.