It was completed in 1989 and was officially opened by the, then, prime minister Lee Kuan Yew, on 31 December 1989. The building was built at a cost of S$ 90 million. The arena was designed by Japanese architect Kenzo Tange and has a cone shaped roof and a pillarless arena. The venue is located very near city centre and easily accessible by MRT trains (Stadium Station), buses, taxis and car. It has a waterfront section which offers alfresco dining with good view of city.