The Londoner Macau, a British-themed luxury integrated resort owned by the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, finally got to celebrate its grand opening on the Cotai Strip in a lavish ceremony that took place yesterday. Previously Sands Cotai Central, the luxury property underwent extensive renovations over the past years in preparation for anticipated tourist growth in Asia’s gambling capital. The resort was operational after the makeover but Sands had to delay its official opening due to the coronavirus and the strict restrictions enforced by the Chinese government.
The restrictions in China’s special administrative region were finally lifted earlier this year and the latest addition to the Cotai Strip got the chance to officially celebrate its opening. The glittering ceremony was attended by a host of industry insiders and celebrities, including former professional footballer David Beckham. The former Manchester United midfielder and global brand ambassador for Sands designed 14 luxury suites for the property in partnership with the London-based luxury interior design company David Collins Studio.
The football star, who himself is a London resident, was joined at the event by other celebrities and tycoons, including Miriam Adelson, the widow of Sheldon Adelson and co-founder of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation. The lavish opening ceremony was graced by the performances of the English jazz musician Jamie Cullum, the Mongolian singer Ayanga, and the globally recognized Chinese pianists Lang Lang.
Las Vegas Sands to Spend $3.8 Billion on New Facilities in the Administrative Region
Robert Goldstein, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Las Vegas Sands, also attended the ceremony and commented that the lavish casino resort perfectly epitomizes the corporation’s commitment to quality. The integrated resort comprises five luxury hotels, including Londoner Court, Sheraton Grand Macao, and Conrad Macao. It connects to other Las Vegas Sands-owned properties like The Plaza Macao, The Venetian Macao, and The Parisian Macao.
The latest addition to the Cotai Strip contains replicas of historic buildings in the British capital like Elizabeth Tower, 10 Downing Street, Admiral Nelson’s famed monument on Trafalgar Square, and the legendary Abbey Road crossing from the cover of the eponymous album by The Beatles. A guard mounting ceremony mimicking the one that occurs at the Buckingham Palace will debut at the integrated resort on May 26.
The official ceremony revolved around the theme ‘The Journey Begins’ and marks the start of a new gambling concession for Las Vegas Sands. The casino concession has a duration of ten years and will see the Nevada-based corporation pour a minimum of $3.8 billion into China’s special administrative region in an attempt to diversify the local economy, which has been heavily reliant on the gambling industry. To this end, Las Vegas Sands will pour approximately 92% of the above-mentioned sum into non-gaming investments like entertainment venues, convention spaces, and garden attractions.
