Marina South

Template:Infobox Singapore neighbourhood Marina South is a planning area located within the Central Area of the Central Region of Singapore. It is largely home to Gardens by the Bay as well as the Marina Barrage. The name has also been used to refer to the larger peninsula the planning area is situated on, which encompasses the planning areas of Straits View and a portion of the Downtown Core.

Marina South is bordered by Marina East to the north and northeast, Straits View to the southwest, the Downtown Core to the north and west, as well as the Singapore Straits to the south and east.

History

Land at Marina Centre and Marina South was reclaimed from the sea to form a sheltered body of water that came to be known as Marina Bay. After allowing for the reclaimed land to settle, the area was developed to allow kite flying and the playing of soccer as an interim measure. Commercial districts were also constructed to allow outdoor dining, bowling alleys and gaming arcades. In its hey-day back in the early 1990s, teenagers flocked to the area as there used to be Singapore's only Cantonese discothèque – Canto, but it has since closed down due to dwindling business.

Developments

In the late 1970s, the Marina South was reclaimed from the sea. It was aimed to provide additional land near the Central Business Center of Singapore. An integrated resort, Marina Bay Sands, is built on the northern shore of Marina South which completed in 2010. It is situated next to the Gardens by the Bay and the Marina Bay Financial Centre, which will be completed in 2013.

A new ferry terminal, Marina South Pier, was built to replace the old Clifford Pier at Collyer Quay. The new terminal opened on 1 April 2006.

The new Marina Bay Cruise Centre Singapore, was built and opened in October 2012. It is located next to the current Marina South Pier. It has the capability to accommodate some of the world's largest ships. The addition of the new cruise centre helps to boost the growth of the leisure cruise sector in Singapore, apart from the Singapore Cruise Centre.

Construction of the Marina South private apartments is expected to start in 2014 after the new road network in Marina Bay has been completed.

Transport

Marina South is served by two stations, Marina Bay and Bayfront, part of the Circle Line Extension and serves Marina Bay Sands integrated resort. The Marina Coastal Expressway (MCE) will link the area with the nationwide network of expressways, enhancing accessibility of the area.

Panoramic view of Marina Bay, showing, from left to right, The Float at Marina Bay, Singapore Flyer, Benjamin Sheares Bridge, Marina Bay Sands, Keppel Harbour, Singapore's CBD and Esplanade Bridge.