Singapore’s Marina Bay Financial Centre (MBFC) was conferred the Associate of the Arts Award by the National Arts Council in recognition of its contributions towards last year’s Marina Bay Singapore countdown.

Raffles Quay Asset Management general manager Wilson Kwong said: “An artistically vibrant society complements Singapore’s position as a global financial centre. As a premium landmark development in Marina Bay, MBFC is glad to support events that will enhance the lifestyle and entertainment experience of the approximately 50,000 professionals and residents in our two luxurious waterfront apartments and three office towers when completed.”

Singapore Countdown 2007 saw 5,000 floating spheres and fireworks displays at Marina Bay. The annual event attracts about 250,000 people to the area to usher in the New Year.

As strong supporters of the arts, the developers of MBFC and One Raffles Quay commissioned Singapore’s tallest public sculpture – Momentum – at Finlayson Green, a busy intersection linking Raffles Quay, Marina Bay and the Esplanade area. Standing 18.35 m, the steel sculpture by David Gerstein was unveiled last December.

R11i01, an art piece created by Iñigo Manglano-Ovalle for the inaugural Singapore Biennale 2006 and sponsored by One Raffles Quay tenant Deutsche Bank, is now on display near the entrance of the South Tower at One Raffles Quay.

MBFC is being developed in a joint venture by three property developers – Cheung Kong (Holdings)/Hutchison Whampoa, Hongkong Land and Keppel Land. It sits on a prime waterfront site, offering three office towers with about 2.92 million sqf of Grade A office space, two residential towers comprising 649 luxury apartments and penthouse, and approximately 119,000 sqf of retail space. The centre is expected to house more art installations when fully completed in 2012.