The largest project in Singapore to date – Gardens by the Bay – opens to the public today in a development that immediately transforms Singapore into a beautiful garden city.

Set to rival anything that the world has so far seen in terms of innovative modern gardens and occupying 101 hectares the first phase of Gardens by the Bay reaffirms the destination’s standing on the global stage as one of the most vibrant cities in the world.

Gardens by the Bay will form an integral part of Singapore’s City in a Garden vision - a whole country geared to nurture flora and greenery.

When complete, Gardens by the Bay will comprise three gardens to become Singapore’s premier urban outdoor recreation space at Marina Bay.

British-based architectural practice Wilkinson Eyre Architects worked on the project in close collaboration with leading landscape designers and engineers from the UK.

The team’s design for two of the largest climate-controlled conservatories in the world will create a new architectural centrepiece for Singapore, transporting the climates and plant life of Mediterranean and Cloud Forest regions to tropical Singapore.

Highlight attractions within the highly-sustainable structures, include an indoor waterfall, a perpetually flowering meadow, cascading levels of vertical planting and high level walkways through and above the tree canopy.

One of the main features of Gardens by the Bay are its ‘Supertrees’, comprising colossal trunks with heights varying between 25 and 50 metres and weighing hundreds of tonnes.

There are a total of 18 Supertrees which have been planted with over 162,900 plants.

The highlight is the128 metre long aerial walkway which connects two of the largest Supertrees; enabling visitors to take in a different view of the Gardens from 22 metres high. 

Visitors to the Bay South Garden will be able to experience signature features such as the “Flower Dome” and “Cloud Forest” cooled conservatories; the Supertrees in the Golden Garden, Silver Garden and Supertree Grove; the Heritage Gardens; The World of Plants; and the Dragonfly and Kingfisher Lakes.

Visitors can also look forward to changing floral displays in the Flower Dome, a specially choreographed light and sound show at the Supertree Grove and a series of interpretive media and narratives that bring to life the story of plants.

There are a host of restaurant and snack outlets housed within Gardens by the Bay and Jason Atherton, the Chef at London’s Pollen Street Social will this week open his restaurant ‘Pollen’, located within the Flower Dome.

The concept for Pollen is of an idyllic, Mediterranean coastal setting, nestled within a lush olive grove and overlooking the sea.

Comprising two levels, Pollen will serve innovative, Mediterranean-influenced European cuisine.

In celebration of the opening of Gardens by the Bay a range of festivities are planned including “live” concerts by Grammy Award winner Jason Mraz and local songbird Corrinne May; family carnivals including a green fair to raise awareness of the environment; performances, storytelling and activities for kids; educational demonstrations and self-discovery trails; a photo competition; and an outdoor movie under the stars.

Bay South Garden will be open to the public from 05:00 to 02:00 daily and entry will be free with key attractions like the Conservatories and Aerial Walkway being chargeable.