MACAU The second phase of development of Galaxy Macau, located in the booming Cotai Strip, is now underway with the HK$16 billion (US$2.1 billion) investment that will virtually double the total building area of the resort to 1.0 million sqm by 2015.
The expansion plan, announced yesterday, will include the introduction of The Ritz-Carlton's first all-suite hotel and the world's largest JW Marriott Hotel with a combined room inventory of 1,300, increasing accommodation at Galaxy Macau to more than 3,600 suites, guestrooms and villas across five hotels. The two new hotels will also add to the integrated resort's meeting facilities, with venues that will have the capacity to handle about 2,000 people.
The new phase coincides with the completion of major infrastructure works in China in mid-2015, which improves Macau's accessibility. These projects include the expansion of the Zhuhai-Macao border gates, the super highway between Guangzhou and Zhuhai, the high-speed railway network and the construction of the HK-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge, to name a few.
"These developments will serve as a catalyst for future growth and diversificaton of Macau's tourism and leisure market," said Lui Chee-woo, chairman of Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG).
Meanwhile, Phase 2 of Galaxy Macau will also further diversify its shopping and F&B offerings: retail space will increase to more than 100,000sqm to house over 200 stores while over 45 new restaurants, cafes, bars and lounges will be added to the existing portfolio of 55 F&B outlets.
GEG made its expansion announcement just two weeks after its rival across the strip, Sands China, unveiled its Sands Cotai Central (see story here).
Gigi Onag
