26-12-2023 (SINGAPORE) A Singaporean resident in Abu Dhabi stumbled upon a striking resemblance to the iconic Marina Bay Sands (MBS) in the form of the “Gate Towers” building. The discovery prompted the individual, known as @fabianskates, to share his find on TikTok, playfully dubbing it a “random MBS copy in Abu Dhabi.”
In the posted video, @fabianskates highlighted the architectural similarity between Gate Towers and MBS. Both structures feature a distinctive boat-like structure atop three towers. However, the divergence lies in their purpose and functionality.
While Marina Bay Sands in Singapore stands as a renowned integrated resort, the Gate Towers in Abu Dhabi, part of the Shams Abu Dhabi project on Al Reem Island, is a luxury residential development.
The Gate Towers offer 3,533 residential units, comprising studio apartments, one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, townhouses, and penthouses. Positioned as a premium residence, the annual rent varies from AED45,000 (S$16,205) for a studio apartment to AED550,000 (S$198,084) for a five-bedroom penthouse.
@fabianskates Fun fact this random MBS copy in Abu Dhabi: 1) has no relation to the Singapore icon 2) is a condo instead of a hotel 3) has a sky bridge at the top instead of an open-air skydeck 4) is located on Reem Island, where most Singapore expats in Abu Dhabi stay ???? #tiktokdubai #tiktoksg #fypシ #abudhabi #marinabaysands #mbs #copycat ♬ Our Singapore – JJ Lin
In a surprising twist, the Gate Towers outshine Marina Bay Sands in height. Standing at 238m (781ft), it surpasses MBS, which is 206.9m (679ft) tall. The Abu Dhabi structure boasts 66 storeys compared to the 57 of its Singaporean counterpart.
Distinguishing features also include the structure at the top. Gate Towers’ skybridge, not open-aired like MBS, houses 21 two-storey penthouse apartments, each equipped with an indoor swimming pool.
@fabianskates’ TikTok video garnered attention and comments expressing a preference for Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. Some viewers saw the architectural coincidence as a form of flattery, stating that “imitation is the highest form of flattery.”
The discussion expanded to include mentions of other MBS lookalikes worldwide. Examples cited include Sky Suites @ KLCC in Malaysia, Raffles City Chongqing in China, and even a miniature replica of Marina Bay Sands in Bali, Indonesia.
As the video resonated with netizens, it sparked conversations about architectural influences and the global recognition of iconic structures like Marina Bay Sands. The uncanny resemblance of Gate Towers serves as a testament to the enduring impact of Singapore’s architectural marvel beyond its borders.
