Downtown Singapore Rejuvenation 2025: What Homebuyers Should Know

Singapore’s Downtown has gone through constant renewal since the early 1960s, and the next chapter is already in motion. Under the URA Draft Master Plan, the CBD and Marina Bay area will continue to grow into a mixed-use district where work, lifestyle and city living blend naturally. For homeowners and investors, these upgrades provide a clear signal that the Downtown Core will remain a key destination for business, culture and residential demand.

A Downtown built for work and lifestyle

Downtown Singapore has long been recognised as a global financial hub. What is changing now is the mix of uses and the range of experiences available. With shifts in work trends and the rise of hybrid arrangements, the CBD is being reshaped to support more day-to-night activity, stronger leisure options and better access to green and blue spaces.

Major nodes like Raffles Place, Marina Bay, Beach Road and Tanjong Pagar are seeing coordinated redevelopment. These include new Grade A offices, serviced residences, hawker centres, connectivity improvements and new public parks that encourage pedestrian movement.

Transformations in the heart of the CBD

Raffles Place continues to evolve, starting with the redevelopment of the former Golden Shoe Carpark into a mixed-use development with new Grade A offices, serviced residences, a public hawker centre and rooftop greenery. Improvements in walkability will make Raffles Place even more accessible from the rest of the CBD.

Key developments include:

• Privately owned public space at CapitaSpring

• Market Street Hawker Centre within CapitaSpring

• Through block link at CIMB Plaza connecting Raffles Place to Marina Bay

• A new urban park created through the partial pedestrianisation of Market Street

These changes keep Raffles Place competitive as a workplace while making it more pleasant to visit throughout the day.

Area	Key Upgrades
Raffles Place	CapitaSpring public space, Market Street Park, CIMB Plaza link
Marina Bay	Central Boulevard Towers, Marina View Residences, MBS expansion
Beach Road	Guoco Midtown offices, lifestyle offerings
Anson Tanjong Pagar	Over 1,100 new homes, mixed use developments

Growth around Marina Bay and Beach Road

Marina Bay remains a major extension of the CBD with a mix of offices, hotels, residences and event spaces. Several upcoming projects will strengthen its global position as a business and leisure hub.

Notable additions include:

• New offices at Guoco Midtown

• New homes at W Residences Marina View Singapore

• Central Boulevard Towers with office and F&B uses, two public spaces and an underground pedestrian link to Downtown MRT

• Adaptive reuse of the former Golden Mile Complex, which will now feature offices, retail and a new residential tower

These developments deepen the appeal of living close to Marina Bay, especially with its established public transport network and internationally recognisable skyline.

A greener Downtown

New parks and refreshed green spaces are also part of the transformation. A new park between Asia Square and Marina One will create a calm retreat in the middle of the CBD. Raffles Place Park will be redesigned with more gathering areas and a larger event space that can support community activities.

These spaces are planned to enhance daytime activity while supporting more recreation after office hours.

Boosting business and tourism

Singapore’s Downtown is also preparing for stronger tourism and business travel. New MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) facilities will support large-scale international events.

Key plans include:

• The Marina Bay Sands expansion, adding 21,000 sqm of MICE space and a 15,000 seat arena

• Disney Cruise Line choosing Singapore as its first year-round home port in Southeast Asia from 2025, operating from Marina Bay Cruise Centre

• A Wellness Attraction planned in Marina South

These upgrades reinforce the ongoing appeal of living near Marina Bay, where events and global tourism activity will continue to grow.

More mixed-use living options in the CBD

Beyond work and tourism, Downtown is also being shaped into a true live-work-play district. Under the CBD Incentive Scheme, older office blocks in areas like Anson and Tanjong Pagar are being converted into mixed-use developments. This will bring over 1,100 new homes to the area, along with new dining options, courtyards, sheltered walkways and cycling paths.

Prominent projects include:

• Newport Plaza

• The Skywaters

• 15 Hoe Chiang Road

• Keppel South Central

• One Bernam

This shift broadens the appeal of CBD living for both singles and families who want convenience and a more walkable environment.

A waterfront that stays active day and night

Marina Bay’s waterfront promenade is a popular recreational space with jogging, cycling and water activities. The bay also hosts key national and international events like i Light Singapore and the F1 Night Race.

Upcoming additions such as NS Square and Passion Wave Outpost at Bayfront will offer more community sports spaces and water activities.

To support these uses, short-term sports facilities, destination dining and pop-up retail may also be rolled out based on recent public feedback.

Nightlife, arts and community partnerships

Downtown’s nightlife continues to evolve with late night dining, festivals and night cycling. Clarke Quay, Haji Lane, Boat Quay and Lau Pa Sat remain key destinations. Business Improvement Districts like Discover Tanjong Pagar, Marina Central and Raffles Place Alliance help activate public spaces with events and activities.

These efforts keep the CBD lively even after working hours.

Source: URA