Las Vegas Sands President and Chief Operating Officer (COO Robert Goldstein said on Wednesday that the US$2.2 billion The Londoner Macao in Cotai set to open progressively from 2020 to 2021 was an indication of the company’s level of confidence in its commitment to Macau.
Goldstein made the remark at a press conference for The Londoner held at The Venetian Theatre. He was accompanied by Sands China President Wilfred Wong Ying Wai and Sands Resorts Macao’s “global ambassador” David Beckham.
The London-themed resort is the rebranding of Sands Cotai Central that opened in 2012. Goldstein described the complex as “somewhat confusing” that could be improved upon.
Goldstein said that The Londoner was a continuation of its diversification effort as Macau aims to morph from a gaming into a leisure and business destination, adding that the company would keep investing in Macau as long as it is here.
Asked during a Q&A session about Sands’ situation after the city’s six gaming operators’ concessions and sub-concessions expire in 2022, Goldstein said that Sands’ commitment to Macau was evident from its US$15 billion-investment here since 2002 especially in non-gaming entertainment.
“If you look around the city, we’ve done more retail, more sleeping rooms, more MICE space than anyone else,” Goldstein said.
“No-one has the crystal ball and we’ll wait for the government’s advice for the direction on the future, but obviously, writing a cheque of US$2.2 billion indicates our level of confidence of our commitment,” Goldstein added, pointing out that the Cotai Strip today was the company’s founder and chairman Sheldon Adelson’s vision, and that he hoped the company could invest billions more in the years to come.
According to Wednesday’s presentation, The Londoner will feature classic British landmarks such as a façade modelled on the Palace of Westminster and Houses of Parliament complete with a 96-metre full-size Big Ben replica, a Queen Victoria Memorial-style fountain, with a replica of Piccadilly Circus’ Shaftsbury Memorial Fountain, also known as the Eros statue, inside the resort that will have a Crystal Palace-style atrium, renovated shopping mall, meeting space, a new 6,000-seat arena, and a gastropub overseen by British celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey, among other dining options.
It will also offer “fully immersive live virtual reality experience” for all ages, as well as Sands’ classic “Streetmosphere shows” with a British theme, such as the Changing of the Guards and daily retail parades featuring famous characters from British history, culture and literature, according to the presentation.
The 34,000-square-metre gaming space at The Londoner will have 450 table games and 2,000 slot machines, as well as high-roller rooms.
The revamp will also see the new The Londoner Hotel replacing Holiday Inn Macao Cotai Central. The Londoner Hotel will join the existing Conrad, Sheraton Grand and The St. Regis hotel towers.
According to the presentation, The Londoner Hotel will have 594 suites, while The Londoner apart-hotel will have 368 apartments next to The St. Regis. Conrad currently has 653 rooms, Sheraton Grand has 4,001, and The St Regis 400, making a total of 6,016 hotel rooms in The Londoner Macao.
Beckham, who will be working with Sands on the interior design of the top floor suites at The Londoner Hotel, said on Wednesday seeing the plans for The Londoner made him feel at home, and that he would be bringing to Macau all the things he loves in London.
