The Pan Pacific Orchard hotel in Singapore has been crowned the world's best new skyscraper, as recognized by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH). Located in the heart of Singapore's iconic shopping district, the 23-storey, 140-metre-high building opened in June 2023 and has quickly gained global recognition.
The hotel, designed by Woha Architects, also won three other prestigious awards, including 'Best Tall Building' in the 100m-199m category. The CTBUH, an esteemed global authority on skyscrapers, announced the awards at its recent conference held in London and Paris from September 23 to 27.
CTBUH CEO Javier Quintana de Una praised Pan Pacific Orchard, saying the hotel “represents the best of today's responsible vertical urbanism,” according to the Straits Times. Vertical urbanism is a concept that promotes the sustainable use of urban spaces by building upwards, maximizing land use while integrating greenery into the design.
Pan Pacific Orchard is celebrated for incorporating eco-friendly elements into its design. It has solar panels, rainwater collection for irrigation and its own biodigester to prevent food waste. The hotel's lush greenery reflects Singapore's focus on sustainable development, with tall trees, gardens and swimming pools surrounding the guest experience. It achieved a green plot ratio of more than 300 percent, meaning it has more than three times the landscaped area of its footprint.
The hotel is divided into four different environments: the Forest Terrace, Beach Terrace, Garden Terrace and Cloud Terrace. Each zone offers unique experiences, from a high-ceilinged lobby with towering trees to a sandy beach and winding pools. The Cloud Terrace houses a pillarless ballroom, one of the tallest in Singapore, ideal for exclusive events.
This recognition further strengthens Woha Architects' reputation, following previous awards for projects such as Kampung Admiralty and Oasia Hotel Downtown. The Pan Pacific Orchard hotel also received Singapore's Green Mark Platinum award in 2020 – the country's highest environmental certification.
Other Asian skyscrapers were also recognized at the same CTBUH event. Malaysia's Petronas Towers won the Global Icon award, while China's Hangzhou Century Center in Greenland was named Asia's best tall building.