Life at the top: Singapore’s tallest skyscraper sets a new standard for elevated living
The Skywaters, a transformative development designed by the architects of New York’s One World Trade Center, promises new heights in luxury living
Located at the intersection of Singapore’s central business district and Marina Bay at 1 Prince Edward Road, an impressive integrated vertical city with 1.5 million sq ft of floor area is set to dominate the city skyline. Towering 305 metres above ground, The Skywaters will be Singapore’s first super-tall skyscraper – a title reserved for buildings of more than 300 metres, according to the non-profit Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat.
The 63-storey Skywaters, estimated to be completed in 2028, will be the Lion City’s tallest landmark, and one of the region’s most coveted addresses. The development’s luxury units, Skywaters Residences, are already attracting strong interest from ultra-high-net-worth (UHNW) individuals at home and abroad. Last year, an exclusive penthouse suite at Skywaters Residences sold for a record-setting S$47.3 million (US$37 million), according to Singaporean property portal EdgeProp, while in June, a 5,285 sq ft, five-bedroom unit on the 55th floor sold for S$30.87 million, the portal reported. Both sales exceed the price tag for some recently sold luxury properties in New York’s Manhattan district, which consistently ranks among the world’s most expensive real estate markets with the most UHNW residents.
While the luxury property markets in Singapore and New York each offer unique opportunities for potential buyers, they share a similar reputation for quality. The Skywater’s luxurious units are on par with New York’s finest properties, such as an ultra-luxury, 5-bedroom penthouse suite at 33 Park Row in the city’s Financial District, which recently listed for US$19.5 million, or a 4,500 sq ft condominium facing Central Park at 111 West 57th Street on Manhattan’s Billionaires’ Row with an asking price of US$22.5 million in August, according to US-based real estate news outlet, The Real Deal.
The global UHNW population is projected to grow by more than a third by 2030, according to Altrata’s Residential Real Estate 2025 report. With the reduced supply of luxury homes in recent years, and Singapore’s status as a secure investment haven, demand for the limited number of expansive luxury Skywaters Residences available – including eight penthouses spanning the 28th to 63rd floors – is expected to reach record levels among investors seeking an ultra-exclusive home in Asia.
Designed by the architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill, the visionaries behind monumental projects including the 541-metre-tall (1,776 ft) One World Trade Center in New York – the western hemisphere’s tallest building – The Skywaters is set to join the elite ranks of the world’s towering skyscrapers.
The development aims to redefine urban living, bringing together ultra-luxurious residences, exclusive concierge services, grade A office spaces, upscale retail outlets and a range of fine-dining establishments offering seamless connectivity and easy access to amenities for residents and their guests. Adding to its prestige, a world-renowned six-star hotel, featuring 11 ultra-exclusive suites, will make its Singapore debut at The Skywaters. The Skywaters mixed-use design offers easily accessible solutions for all of its occupants’ needs, including the luxury hotel, where they can make reservations for their guests and business associates.
“The Skywaters epitomises the pinnacle of luxury living, redefining sophistication and exclusivity for residents while firmly establishing Singapore among other global cultural and prestigious centres such as New York, London and Tokyo,” says Pua Seck Guan, executive chairman and CEO of Perennial Holdings, which leads the consortium overseeing the development. Headquartered in Singapore, Perennial Holdings is an integrated healthcare and real estate company with a presence in 18 cities across mainland China, as well as in Malaysia and Indonesia.
At the apex of the development, Skywaters Residences represents the pinnacle of luxury living. Units are serviced by two high-speed private lifts and offer sweeping, uninterrupted views of the ocean and city from floor-to-ceiling curved glass windows.
The ultra-luxury apartments range from three- to five-bedroom units, spanning from 2,217 to 6,512 sq ft, and penthouses and sky villas spanning from 7,761 to 18,794 sq ft.
In the realm of luxury, where exclusivity, refinement and precision matter most, the integrated development provides a holistic solution in which the business and leisure needs of its high-flying occupants converge within one building. In addition to unrivalled connectivity, integrated shopping and dining options and exclusive concierge services, Skywaters Residences sets a new standard. The building’s exclusive residences occupy the highest floors; below them, at level 32, residents have access to exclusive clubhouse facilities, including an infinity pool that sits 200 metres above sea level (at a height similar to the Marina Bay Sands hotel’s renowned infinity pool), a jacuzzi, an indoor heated pool and garden spa, a wine lounge and a tea room overlooking a herb garden. The Sky Bar on the 46th floor delivers expansive views, indoor and outdoor gyms and co-working spaces.
“Skywaters Residences is a rare trophy home offering an unrivalled living experience for the discerning few. It is an iconic symbol of luxury, with stunning views of the South China Sea and city skyline,” says Jenny Ho, general manager, sales and marketing, Perennial Holdings. “Residents enjoy private lifts for swift access to their customisable apartments. Ownership grants the exclusive privilege of owning a piece of one of the world’s most prestigious super-tall assets in Singapore.”
Redefining connected living
The Skywaters occupies a prime location in the city’s central business district – an economically, historically and culturally significant area earmarked by the Urban Redevelopment Authority for long-term conservation and urban renewal.
The development will afford easy access to the city’s most celebrated attractions, including the Singapore Grand Prix, Michelin-starred dining establishments and prominent landmarks such as Marina Bay Sands, Gardens by the Bay, Suntec City and Chijmes. It is a short drive away from the Orchard Road shopping belt, and adjacent to the Greater Southern Waterfront, a major redevelopment project aimed at transforming the southern coastline into a vibrant urban area.
The Skywaters connects underground to the Tanjong Pagar Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) station, while Prince Edward Road and Shenton Way MRT stations are just a five-minute walk away.
Although an integrated development, vehicular access and parking at The Skywaters have been thoughtfully designed to ensure convenience and privacy for residents and guests.
Empowering sustainable well-being
The Skywaters’ bamboo forest-inspired architecture embraces a biophilic philosophy, evidenced in the connection to nature’s vertical structures in the built environment. The design combines organic materials with elements that bring natural light and ventilation to create eco-friendly living spaces.
The development will reuse part of the existing building’s foundation and infrastructure to reduce embodied carbon during construction, according to Dawn Tan, chief operating officer, Singapore and Regional (excluding China) at Perennial Holdings. “Through the innovative use of terracotta, engineered wood and low-emission facade panels, The Skywaters’ tower design adapts to the environment, maximising ventilation and natural light,” she says.
Featuring a seamless blend of glass, concrete and nature, The Skywaters incorporates more than 100,000 sq ft of lush green space, including over 400 trees and 170 plant species. The expansive green zones, combined with welcoming indoor-outdoor communal areas, aim to foster a sense of well-being while building a connected community.
The landmark project aims to set new sustainable standards for luxury living. In addition to energy-efficient construction, the project’s goal is to minimise its ecological footprint while fostering the well-being of residents and their surrounding ecosystem. The Skywater’s stated aim is to achieve the Building Construction Authority of Singapore’s Green Mark Platinum Certification, the highest sustainability rating from the agency.
In a city renowned for its impressive skyline and stunning natural setting, The Skywaters will be a defining landmark, set to dramatically change the Singapore skyline as it looms over all the city’s prominent structures. According to the developer, the world’s most discerning clientele have the opportunity to own a piece of modern architectural history, and a “trophy home” that few projects will be able to match or surpass in the future.
“This iconic development, carefully designed with unwavering attention to detail and uncompromising quality, stands shoulder to shoulder with celebrated global landmarks, and is designed to offer residents an unparalleled experience,” Pua says.