Esplanade - Theatres on the Bay

The Esplanade opened in 2002 on reclaimed land at Marina Bay, two rounded halls clad in a double skin of glass and some seven thousand aluminium sunshades angled to keep out the tropical sun. The angles gave the buildings a spiked texture that Singaporeans immediately compared to durian, and the nickname stuck permanently. Inside are a concert hall and a theatre, plus free performances in the foyers most evenings and a roof terrace over the bay.

History

A report on the arts of 1989 noted the lack of suitable venues, planning began in 1992, and construction started on 11 August 1996 on the site of the old Satay Club, at a cost of about SGD 600 million. The centre was completed in February 2001 and officially opened on 12 October 2002 (Wikipedia, Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay).

What to look for

• The sunshades - seven thousand angled aluminium panels forming the spiked skin.
• The free performances - concerts in the foyer and outdoor theatre most evenings.
• The roof terrace - a public deck with a view across Marina Bay.
• The concert hall - a 1,600-seat hall with an adjustable acoustic canopy.

When to go

Year round; free foyer performances run most evenings and are worth timing for. The roof terrace is best at sunset. Major festivals fill the calendar through the year.

Before you go

The main halls are seen only with a ticket. The building is at its best from outside and from the terrace. Marina Bay is crowded and hot in the middle of the day.

Nearby

Marina Bay Sands is across the water, and the Civic District is west.