OpenAI in Talks to Lease 100,000 Sq Ft at Singapore’s Shaw Tower

OpenAI is discussing a lease covering about 100,000 sq ft across 5 floors at the newly completed Shaw Tower on Beach Road. The proposed expansion would significantly increase its Singapore footprint as the company prepares to establish its first Applied AI Lab outside the United States and hire more than 200 specialised artificial intelligence professionals.

Editor: AI News 24x7 Published: 21 Sep 2026, 12:47 PM Updated: 21 Sep 2026, 12:47 PM

OpenAI in Talks to Lease 100,000 Sq Ft at Singapore’s Shaw Tower.

OpenAI is discussing a lease for about 100,000 sq ft at Singapore’s newly completed Shaw Tower, a move that would give the artificial intelligence company a much larger local base. The proposed space spans 5 floors on Beach Road and accounts for roughly a quarter of the building’s office area, according to the Financial Times.

The talks would mark a major expansion from OpenAI’s current Singapore presence. The company now occupies about 100 desks at The Work Project’s CapitaSpring facility.

Singapore expansion

OpenAI announced in May that Singapore would host its first Applied AI Lab outside the United States. The company also said it would hire more than 200 specialised artificial intelligence professionals as part of that expansion.

The proposed Shaw Tower lease would provide substantially more space than OpenAI’s current desk-based arrangement at CapitaSpring. The available details do not establish whether the discussions will result in a signed lease or when any move would take place.

Singapore has also drawn expansion plans from Anthropic, the company behind Claude. Anthropic is set to open a Singapore office in October and has described the country as a standout market for Claude, according to recent coverage.

Why the move matters

OpenAI’s planned office footprint and hiring target point to a broader operational presence in Singapore. Its Applied AI Lab would be the company’s first such facility outside the United States, while the proposed lease would place a large technology office in a newly completed Beach Road building.

The potential expansion comes as AI companies increase their activity in Singapore. Anthropic’s planned office opening provides another confirmed example of a major AI company establishing a local presence there.

What happens next

OpenAI remains in talks over the proposed Shaw Tower lease. The final terms, timing and confirmation of the move have not been provided.

The company’s previously announced plan is to establish the Applied AI Lab in Singapore and hire more than 200 specialised artificial intelligence professionals. Anthropic’s Singapore office is scheduled to open in October.

Conclusion

OpenAI is considering a 100,000 sq ft, 5-floor lease at Shaw Tower as it expands beyond its current 100 desks in Singapore. The plan follows its announcement of a local Applied AI Lab and hiring of more than 200 specialised artificial intelligence professionals, while Anthropic prepares to open its own Singapore office in October.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. What space is OpenAI discussing leasing in Singapore?

OpenAI is in talks to lease about 100,000 sq ft across 5 floors at Shaw Tower on Beach Road.

Q. How much of Shaw Tower would the proposed lease cover?

The proposed space represents roughly a quarter of the building’s office area.

Q. Where does OpenAI currently operate in Singapore?

OpenAI currently occupies about 100 desks at The Work Project’s CapitaSpring facility.

Q. What did OpenAI announce in May?

It announced that Singapore would host its first Applied AI Lab outside the United States and said it would hire more than 200 specialised artificial intelligence professionals.