Galaxy Macau
Encyclopedia
Galaxy Macau is a destination resort located on the Cotai Strip
, Macau
. Construction on the Cotai project began in 2002, but its opening has since then been rescheduled several times. Its developer Galaxy Entertainment Group
announced on 10 March 2011 that its HKD 14.9 billion (USD 1.9 billion) Galaxy Macau resort officially opened on 15 May 2011. The resort is designed by Gary Goddard
.
and the Singapore-operated Banyan Tree Hotel
that will have 254 suites.
In addition, Galaxy Macau will include retail facilities and food and beverage outlets. Its gaming facilities, divided into five auspiciously-themed areas, will have a capacity for over 600 gaming tables as well as 1,200 slot machines and other electronic gaming machines.
Ten Pool Villas, ranging from 450m² to 950m², feature both private pools and air-conditioned cabanas with sliding glass doors opening directly onto their own gardens on the 'Beach Resort Deck.'
"We will be announcing the opening date very soon," Mecca added. In September GEG will also launch a nine-screen, 3D multi-purpose cinema.
Galaxy Macau only takes up one third of the area granted by the government in Cotai and the company is already looking at the future. "We have never stopped planning," Francis Lui, Vice President of Galaxy Entertainment Group said.
The company had until 2019 to develop the block and Robert Drake is confident it will be fully developed by then. "We have very strong views on what our next step should be," he said. "To do everything in one piece would mean that it could quickly become obsolete," Francis Lui stressed. "The profile of our customer has changed so much in the last five years. At the appropriate time we will make an announcement." on future projects, he promised.
Galaxy Macau is helping to boost Galaxy Entertainment Group’s gross gaming revenue. The casino operator, whose market value has more than quadrupled in the past year, was second in the gross gaming revenue rankings in July, grabbing a market share of almost 19 percent, according to figures compiled by Macau Daily Times. The company ranked only behind SJM Holdings, jumping ahead of Sands China Ltd, Wynn Macau and Melco Crown.
Cotai Strip
The Cotai Strip is the casino and tourism project in the Cotai District, Macau, inspired by the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada, USA, on a considerably smaller scale....
, Macau
Macau
Macau , also spelled Macao , is, along with Hong Kong, one of the two special administrative regions of the People's Republic of China...
. Construction on the Cotai project began in 2002, but its opening has since then been rescheduled several times. Its developer Galaxy Entertainment Group
Galaxy Entertainment Group
銀河娛樂集團 Galaxy Entertainment Group is an investment holding company listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange that owns and operates hotels and casinos in Macau through its subsidiary, Galaxy Casino S.A....
announced on 10 March 2011 that its HKD 14.9 billion (USD 1.9 billion) Galaxy Macau resort officially opened on 15 May 2011. The resort is designed by Gary Goddard
Gary Goddard
Gary Goddard is the Founder and CEO of The Goddard Group- an entertainment design firm based in North Hollywood, California.- Work in Theater :...
.
First phase
When the Cotai project's first phase opens in 2011, the 550,000-square-metre property will offer around 2,200 hotel rooms comprising the 1,500-room Galaxy Macau hotel tower complete with casino and entertainment areas, as well as two hotel partners, the Japanese-owned 410-room Hotel OkuraOkura Hotels
is a chain of hotels mainly located in Japan. The original Hotel Okura opened in Tokyo in 1962. The Okura Hotels & Resorts worldwide chain now includes Okura Hotels in Amsterdam, Guam, and Japan, and the Halekulani and Waikiki Parc hotels in Hawaii...
and the Singapore-operated Banyan Tree Hotel
Banyan Tree Holdings
Banyan Tree Holdings manages and develops resorts, hotels and spas. They have been listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange since 2006. Banyan began in 1994 with a single resort in Phuket and currently manages and/or has ownership interests in over 20 resorts and hotels, 60 spas, 70 retail...
that will have 254 suites.
In addition, Galaxy Macau will include retail facilities and food and beverage outlets. Its gaming facilities, divided into five auspiciously-themed areas, will have a capacity for over 600 gaming tables as well as 1,200 slot machines and other electronic gaming machines.
Wave pool and artificial beach
Above the gaming area there will be a 52,000-square-metre resort, with "lush" gardens, six swimming pools, including a wave pool and an artificial beach made of 350-tonne white sand.Fortune Diamond
In Galaxy's lobby, a fountain turns into a giant roulette wheel before a giant diamond rises out of the top. It's a metaphor for wishing casino goers eternal luck and prosperity, said designer Jeremy Railton who works for Entertainment Design Corp.Wishing Crystals
In the other side of Galaxy, the bus lobby boasts a series of giant crystals that float above a pool of water. The crystals have adopted advanced motion sensor technology that triggers special visual effects when guests walk near the crystals. When all the crystals are activated, good luck symbols flash from the crystals and reflect in the water.Gold Leaf Cupolas
To match the positioning of the resort as the New Palace of Asia, there are 6 cupolas at the top of the two towers of Galaxy Macau. All six cupolas are adorned in 24-carat gold - enough to cover 87 football pitches. Four of them measure 15 mitres high and the other two at 24 metres.Galaxy Laserama
The gold-leaf cupolas of Galaxy Macau feature a Laser show system which projects laser beams into the sky every 15 minutes. It is claimed to be the largest laser shows in the word and is visible across Macau.Banyan Tree Macau
Banyan Tree Macau is the Group’s first property in the former Portuguese enclave. It will be the first in Macau to feature private indoor relaxation pools in all its 246 opulent suites, overlooking the city and offering a Sanctuary for the Senses for guests.Ten Pool Villas, ranging from 450m² to 950m², feature both private pools and air-conditioned cabanas with sliding glass doors opening directly onto their own gardens on the 'Beach Resort Deck.'
Future development
The Cotai resort is not completely finished, with its private club and restaurant China Rouge, inspired by 1930’s Shanghai 'still under development'."We will be announcing the opening date very soon," Mecca added. In September GEG will also launch a nine-screen, 3D multi-purpose cinema.
Galaxy Macau only takes up one third of the area granted by the government in Cotai and the company is already looking at the future. "We have never stopped planning," Francis Lui, Vice President of Galaxy Entertainment Group said.
The company had until 2019 to develop the block and Robert Drake is confident it will be fully developed by then. "We have very strong views on what our next step should be," he said. "To do everything in one piece would mean that it could quickly become obsolete," Francis Lui stressed. "The profile of our customer has changed so much in the last five years. At the appropriate time we will make an announcement." on future projects, he promised.
Finances
Galaxy Macau opened with a 7 percent increase in budget to HKD 16.5 billion and will open the full complement of 2,200 rooms in the last quarter of 2011. "The small variance to budget was primarily caused by an increase in construction labour cost and more construction workers associated with our accelerated rollout program, various enhancements to the resort and small changes in scope," said the company. "In just 47 days, Galaxy Macau generated revenue of HKD 2.4 billion and EBITDA of HKD 376 million."Galaxy Macau is helping to boost Galaxy Entertainment Group’s gross gaming revenue. The casino operator, whose market value has more than quadrupled in the past year, was second in the gross gaming revenue rankings in July, grabbing a market share of almost 19 percent, according to figures compiled by Macau Daily Times. The company ranked only behind SJM Holdings, jumping ahead of Sands China Ltd, Wynn Macau and Melco Crown.