No, we’re not in an episode of Westworld. Yes, Apple really has a floating store—and it now sits right on the waters of Marina Bay, marking the tech giant’s third retail location in Singapore. The first Apple store to sit directly on water, Apple Marina Bay Sands serves not only as a new touchpoint for customers but doubles as an unmissable addition to our skyline.
“Apple has a long history in Singapore, and we saw an opportunity to create something truly special amid the spectacular Singapore skyline, where visitors can enjoy the best Apple has to offer,” says Deidre O’Brien, senior vice president of retail and people at Apple. If snaps on Instagram are any indication, the floating store already feels right at home with Singapore’s iconic Marina Bay, and totally in step with Singapore’s futuristic architecture.
With a 360-degree panoramic view of Singapore’s skyline, the spherical store’s all-glass dome structure is fully self-supported, constructed of 114 pieces of glass. In the day, the store enjoys a flood of natural light thanks to an oculus located at the apex of the dome. By night, the floating orb turns into a luminous attraction, backdropped by our Marina Bay skyline, from the Marina Bay Financial Centre to the Art Science Museum. Inspired by the Pantheon in Rome, the interior of Apple Marina Bay Sands features custom baffles that are uniquely designed to diffuse sunlight throughout the space.
“It was so important to us to bring the beauty of the city into our store, and we used our expertise and experience with glass to create something remarkable on Marina Bay,” O’Brien tells Vogue. “When our customers walk up to one of the windows, they’ll feel like they are floating directly on the bay. We also wanted the green garden city of Singapore to flow into the inside of the store, including trees lining the interior of the dome to provide additional shading.”
Customers visiting Apple Marina Bay Sands can anticipate a few new features: The Boardroom in Basement 1, where developers, entrepreneurs can receive hands-on training; and The Forum, a dedicated area surrounded by a Video Wall, which will double as the stage for Today at Apple sessions run by Singapore’s local creatives. Basement 2 is where customers can find Apple’s Genius services with curated and personalised tech support.
“Apple has a deep and rich history in Singapore that began with our first office in Ang Mo Kio almost 40 years ago,” O’Brien shares. “Singapore is positively flowing with creativity, innovation and imagination—our commitment is for the long-term.”
Apple Marina Bay Sands, 2 Bayfront Avenue, B2-06, Singapore, 018972
Opening hours: Mon-Thu, 12pm – 8pm; Fri-Sun, 12pm – 9pm
