Singapore's new Apple Store could be an orb floating in a river. It even has an underwater passage!

Reports suggest that Apple may be about to open a new Apple Store in Singapore, located inside a mysterious orb floating in the waters of Marina Bay.

New Apple Store in Marina Bay

According to a report from the Straits Times:
Is the mysterious orb-shaped structure in the waters of Marina Bay Sands (MBS), the third Apple store in Singapore?
There is widespread speculation that the structure, which looks "floating" from a distance, maybe the site of the tech giant's new retail outpost, as reported in the Straits Times earlier this year.

In March of this year, The Straits Times announced that Apple plans to open two new stores in Singapore, one at Jewel Changi Airport and another just next to Marina Bay Sands. Marina Bay Sands is one of the most exclusive and distinctive hotels in the world, mainly due to its architecture, which includes three towers supporting a huge Skypark.

The report notes that the prime waterfront location would result in a high price. Previously, space was occupied by the Avalon "mega nightclub" from 2011 to 2016. Deposits with the government of Singapore for the conversion of retail space on the site indicate that the work was to be completed at the location on November 30 this year. A forum poster on Skyskrapercity.com claimed that the Apple Store would be "one of a kind", with a custom facade glass cladding designed by the German company Seele. TST's initial report in March also indicated that the orb would be linked to a nearby shopping center by an underwater passage.


The details on the store remain patchy at this point. A Facebook user commenting on the post claiming to be an architect said the floating orb was indeed an Apple Store designed by Foster and Partners. Foster and Partners have designed several Apple Stores, including Orchard Road in Singapore, Fifth Avenue and the Apple Park Visitor Center.


As mentioned, while the work may well be finished, or almost on the site, there does not seem to be any indication as to the date of opening of the last Apple store. If the reports are correct, Apple store in Marina Bay could become one of the most prominent Apple retail sites in the world.