Established in 1958, Lifescapes International Inc. is an internationally renowned landscape architectural design firm based in Newport Beach, California. Having designed the landscape of more than 15 casino resorts on the Las Vegas Strip, as well as an additional 80 casinos and resorts across the United States, Asia and Europe, Lifescapes International continues to create successful, dynamic destinations that delight guests every day.
For more than five decades, Lifescapes has been a significant design influence for gaming-related properties, including Native American, commercial and riverboat gaming properties, as well as destination resorts, mixed-use developments, commercial, retail centers, entertainment-driven projects and residential.
Lifescapes has had a relationship with casinos starting in 1984 with the Cascades Hotel in South Africa, and with Las Vegas as far back as 30 years, designing for Mirage, Treasure Island, Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Paris, Red Rock, Venetian/Palazzo and Wynn/Encore, just to name a few.
Recently, Lifescapes International worked on the newly opened Golden Nugget Lake Charles in Louisiana, and completed designs for Wynn Palace on the Cotai Strip (opening 2016) and Paradise City in Incheon, South Korea (opening 2018). Currently, the company is designing Resorts World Las Vegas, the Pechanga expansion in California and casino resort projects in New York and Massachusetts.
The senior principal leadership team consists of Chief Executive Officer/FASLA Don Brinkerhoff, President/Chief Financial Officer Julie Brinkerhoff-Jacobs, Executive Senior Principal/Chief Operating Officer & General Manager Daniel Trust, Executive Senior Principal/Director of Design-Horticulture Roger Voettiner and Executive Senior Principal/Director of Design Andrew Kreft. They all work in unison to create and manage the firm’s projects, with assistance from a team of highly qualified landscape architects, project designers and a strong administrative staff.
“The landscape is about the ‘WOW’ experience. We design for those who will be immersed in the surroundings, creating captivating amenities such as nightclubs, pool bars, beach clubs, retail and restaurant environments for our clients’ guests to enjoy during their stay, encouraging them to stay longer, play longer,” Brinkerhoff-Jacobs said. “The entertainment and resort operators, including astute executives within the gaming industry, understand that stand-alone gaming activities are simply not enough to keep customers fully engaged on their properties.”
For more information, visit lifescapesintl.com.
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The Asian Equation
The second phase of Galaxy Macau opened in May. Designed, like phase one, by Steelman Partners, the elements brought into the expansion are an advancement and a greater understanding of the Galaxy clientele.
Take the casino, for example.
Low ceiling heights help create an intimate, cozy, warm and sophisticated mood. Color palettes are dominated by golds, ivory and creams, supplemented with rich crimson custom-designed carpets and decorative wall panels.
The ceilings are a series of decorative coffers with indirect layers of light, gold leaf accent trim and feature suspended chandeliers. A central bar is located on a raised platform overlooking the gaming floor with an illuminated central tower supporting a peacock-inspired metal canopy and large integrated LED panels.
The premium spaces are supplemented with beautiful, rich laser-cut, water-jet stone flooring in abstract floral patterns, and custom hand-woven crimson and wine carpets. The main gaming salon features a European-inspired ellipse-shaped crystal chandelier feature located within a soft-layered coffer of light. The mass gaming floor is screened off by way of complex decorative gold metal, crystal and glass screens, framed by soft full drapery tiebacks.
Jinmen VIP Gaming
This VIP casino increases the level of exclusive elegance and luxury threaded through the refined aesthetic and brand of its predecessor in a playful and vibrant way. Rich hand-tufted carpet designs in Mandarin oranges and golds with shimmering Lurex yarn accent trim are used in the main gaming spaces, while crimson reds and mustard gold designs are located in the private salons. Walls are typically clad in natural stone slabs with decorative bronze metal studs or soft leather upholstered acoustic panels. Ceiling coffers are soft, free-form shapes with large shaped fibrous plaster moldings and draping crystal chandeliers.
Gaming Lobby
This space was delicately designed to feel “soft and sheer” with intricate laser-cut metal patterning and delicate rose-inspired mosaic stone feature wall mural panels.
The reception and hostess counter in this entry lobby features a three-meter crystal wave chandelier light fitting. A series of rear-illuminated onyx wall panels act as a backdrop.
The floors are chevron-patterned Serpegiante Stone panels providing a contrast to soft waved and layered gilded ceilings.
Owner: Galaxy Entertainment Group
Architect: Steelman Partners
General Contractor: Hsin Chong Construction Group
Investment: $3 billion
Accuracy, Integrity and Buying Power
Purchasing Management International is the leading FF&E and OS&E purchasing company in the gaming industry. With extensive experience in large luxury gaming projects, working with the leading designers, architects and owners, PMI offers owners the accuracy, integrity and buying power necessary to successfully work on the most demanding gaming projects.
The company has purchased and installed more than $2 billion in hotel, resort and casino furnishings, operating equipment and systems worldwide. PMI’s services include FF&E and OS&E purchasing for renovation and new construction, operating supplies purchasing and advisory services for capital budgeting, inventories and due diligence for acquisitions and valuations.
In Las Vegas, PMI recently completed the renovations of the 800-room Bellagio Spa Tower, the 400-room Bellagio Suites Tower and the 1,100-room Tropicana. In the past, PMI has completed major works at Caesars Palace, Trump International, MGM Grand, Harrah’s, Treasure Island, Mirage, Hard Rock and Station Casinos’ Red Rock Resort. Outside of Las Vegas, PMI has worked on casinos from the East to West Coast including Revel, Borgata, Harrah’s Cherokee, Wind Creek Casino, Wild Horse Pass Casino and Sandia Casino. PMI expertly advises Indian gaming clients, tribal associations and native nations as part of their economic development activities.
PMI uses a unique purchasing management system to deliver the speed and accuracy required by gaming projects. PMI’s experienced staff is the best in the industry, and has deep vendor knowledge plus the creativity to keep projects moving forward under the pressure of a gaming project’s requirements. PMI’s system of checks and balances includes a separate expediting department to control the custom approval process, project deliveries and final delivery costs. Time and again, PMI saves clients money and time.
PMI’s mission is to provide a select number of clients worldwide with its proven purchasing, renovation and technical expertise at the best quality and pricing obtainable in the industry.
For more information, visit pmiconnect.com.
Land Beyond the Mountains
When the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians opened Harrah’s Cherokee casino hotel at the back door of Smoky Mountain National Park, it was a saving grace for the tribe. Long a remnant of a great tribal nation, the casino allowed the tribe to regain some of that stature by becoming the largest employer in the western end of North Carolina.
But with unemployment raging in the south-central part of the state, and the Cherokees looking for another location, the idea for Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Casino and Hotel was born. Once again, the Cherokees turned to the Cuningham Group, which had designed all phases of Harrah’s Cherokee.
Like Harrah’s Cherokee, Cuningham Group held tightly to its motto, “Every Building Tells a Story,” with Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River.
Brett Ewing, a principal with Cuningham, says the company listened carefully to the Cherokees.
“For us, mindfully listening and asking the right questions is critical to coming up with the right design solution,” he says. “Our designers then extract metaphors from the story to find inspiration for all aspects of the project from basic forms and shapes to materials and colors. Metaphors are found in stories of context, site, history and/or culture, and our challenge as designers is to transform those into distinctive and timeless forms. Since no two stories are alike, no two buildings are the same.”
At Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River, Cuningham had many stories that translated into a dramatic hotel and casino. Located near Murphy, North Carolina, and the closest casino to Atlanta, guests can enjoy more than 1,000 slots and 70 traditional table games. The property offers a seven-story, 300-room hotel tower with unique F&B experiences, as well as Harrah’s Total Rewards benefits.
Owner: Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians
Operator: Caesars Entertainment
Architect: Cuningham Group
General Contractor: Owle Construction LLC
Investment: $110 million
Innovative Hospitality Design
SOSH Architects was founded in 1979 on the core conviction that quality design continually rewards the community, the client and the design team. The firm has steadily grown from a company of four partners to its current size of approximately 50 design professionals and support staff engaged in the execution of major master planning, architecture and interior design commissions worldwide.
The company philosophy drives a design process that values exploration, visualization and the contributions of multiple voices consistent with the belief that the best design solutions are the result of thoughtful collaboration.
SOSH’s principals—Thomas J. Sykes, William A. Salerno, Nory Hazaveh, Kimberly McCarron, Mark Petrella and Christopher Menchin—continue the commitment of personal involvement in each project. With offices in Atlantic City and New York, SOSH Architects has established a worldwide reputation for master planning, architectural design, interior design and strong project delivery achievement.
For more than three decades, SOSH Architects has had the opportunity to work on an impressive array of hospitality design projects. From master planning to restaurant renovation, from new tower construction to resort expansions, SOSH has handled every aspect of hotel and casino design on multiple properties in the major urban markets of New York, Philadelphia and Atlantic City, as well as in California, Arizona, Nevada, Mississippi, Indiana, Louisiana, Connecticut, the Caribbean, Europe and Asia.
Gaming floors, hotel rooms, restaurants, nightclub and entertainment venues, ballrooms, retail stores, lounges, pool and spa retreats, administrative support space, food service facilities and day care centers all can be found on the same property, and each use brings with it a unique set of challenges and technical requirements.
Ongoing or recently completed projects include Tropicana Casino & Resort North Tower casino renovation and Boardwalk façade in Atlantic City; Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in D’Iberville, Mississippi; Resorts Casino Hotel conference center in Atlantic City; Brew Brothers at Scioto Downs in Columbus, Ohio; Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park in Northfield, Ohio; Parx Casino in Bensalem, Pennsylvania; and Resorts World Bimini in the Bahamas.
For more information, contact SOSH Architects at 1020 Atlantic Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ 08401, 609-345-5222; or 145 West 57th Street, New York, NY 10019, 212-246-2770; sosh@sosharch.com or visit sosharch.com.
Free Wheeling
The Bicycle Club card room has long been a fixture in the Southern California card room market. Founded by the legendary George Hardie Sr., the club quickly grew to become the second-largest card room in California.
The facility passed through several owners in the 1990s (including the U.S. government), and it wasn’t until the arrival of Hashem Minaiy after 14 years at the Commerce Club that the Bicycle Club came alive. Minaiy is the managing general partner of the “Bike,” as it is affectionately known in the poker world, and he had a dream to transform the club into a true hotel and casino. That dream is about to come true.
The Bicycle Hotel & Casino, a seven-story, 117,907-square-foot boutique luxury hotel addition to the Bicycle Casino, will debut in December. Built by commercial luxury general contractor R.D. Olson Construction with architecture by Lee & Sakahara Architects and interior design by Hager Design International, Inc., the hotel will open with 99 rooms and suites, innovative dining concepts such as the Bike Brewery, and resort amenities including a full spa and elevated outdoor pool deck with private cabanas.
The Bicycle Hotel & Casino brings unprecedented sophistication and style to the Los Angeles hospitality/gaming sector and caters to the full spectrum of card-cutting enthusiasts, national and international guests and premier poker tours.
Located just 15 minutes from downtown Los Angeles, the Bicycle Hotel and Casino offers 185 gaming tables, but so much more. After spending time at the tables, guests can relax in deluxe guestrooms, designed to be tranquil retreats. Plush king- and queen-size beds are complemented by California-inspired furnishings and lavish bath amenities by L’Occitane En Provence.
Premium accommodations include 29 luxury suites ranging from the Classic Suite (648 square feet) to the signature Bike Suite (904 square feet), the extravagantly curated Governor’s Suite (1,359 square feet), and a Presidential Suite (2,007 square feet), fashioned to host and impress with its two bedrooms, formal living room and Jacuzzi tub.
Blending with the hotel’s modern appeal, the Bike Brewery hotel restaurant will pioneer a craft beer scene in Bell Gardens with 28 taps highlighted by the Bike Brew—a blonde ale by Golden Road Brewery exclusive to the Bicycle Hotel & Casino. Other food options include the Coffee House, a 24-hour snack bar and in-room dining.
Operator: Investment group led by Managing General Partner Hashem Minaiy
Architects: Lee & Sakahara Architects
General Contractor: R.D. Olson Construction
Investment: $50 million
All Hospitality, All the Time
During the past 40 years, the Native American-owned firm of TBE Architects has become one the best-known casino hotel architects in America.
Empowered with the tagline “All Hospitality All The Time,” TBE Architects has a depth of experience like no other Native American-owned architecture firm. Its passion in architecture and design has led to working with more than 109 tribes and First Nations, designing more than 200 casino projects and more than 400 hotels.
TBE Architects’ portfolio includes work with some of the most recognized companies in the industry. Past clients have included Harrah’s, Hilton, Holiday Inns Worldwide, Hyatt, Marriott, Radisson, Trump, Churchill Downs and Delaware North Companies Inc., to name a few.
Hotel & Motel Management magazine ranks TBE Architects a “Top Design” firm in the hospitality industry in the United States. It is a company with extensive experience designing destination resorts, gaming floors, atriums, hotel rooms, entertainment venues, convention space, multi-use space, retail, restaurants and parking garages for Native American tribes in the United States and First Nations in Canada.
The firm, with its highly experienced staff of professionals, combines the Native American background and design expertise of Chief Boyd, chief executive officer and principal, with the creative hotel and casino design expertise of Rich Emery, president and design principal, plus the management talents of Nick Schoenfeldt, vice president and principal.
Since 1971, TBE Architects has been designing resorts, hotels and casinos for the hospitality and gaming industries. The firm’s approach of creating “ordinary to extraordinary” is based on developing unique and exciting visions and bringing them to life.
The firm has built a reputation for delivering projects on time and on budget.
TBE Architects provides full architectural services including master planning, engineering and interior design. TBE Architects is an active associate member of the American Institute of Architects and an associate member of the National Indian Gaming Association.
For more information, visit tbearchitects.com or contact Linda J. Roe, vice president, business development at 602-321-6207.
Manila Masterpiece
Entertainment City, a collection of four billion-dollar-plus integrated resorts, has been a dream of the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corp. (PAGCOR) for the last decade. On reclaimed land next to Manila Bay, the dream came to life in 2013 with the opening of Solaire, a property owned by a company controlled by Philippine billionaire Ricky Razon.
In late 2014, City of Dreams Manila debuted, a joint venture between Melco Crown Entertainment of Macau and the Belle Corp., a subsidiary of Henry Sy’s SM Investments. Melco Crown bought into the project—originally designed as the Belle Grande Manila—after construction was under way, but still managed to put the Melco Crown signature upon it.
Working with architect firm Asya Design, interior design firm Arlen P. De Guzman Design Associates and general contractor Leighton Contractors, Melco Crown added and subtracted elements to present a truly unique experience for its Philippine customers.
Three hotels grace the property: Crown Towers, Hyatt and only the second Nobu hotel in the world. Nobu, whose owners include noted Japanese chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert DeNiro and others (now including James Packer’s Crown Resorts), is a luxury hotel that includes a Nobu Restaurant, an extensive spa and fitness center and the Nobu pool.
The casino includes a VIP Club, a Signature Club and a PokerStars card room. Several levels of dining are included. In addition to Nobu, the Tasting Room and Crystal Dragon cater to the high end. Wave and Red Dragon present casual fare, and other restaurants cater to other demographics and price points.
Dreamworks’ DreamPlay is a unique interactive play center where kids of all ages can connect with their favorite characters. Play games with Kung Fu Panda, Shreck and Donkey. Ride a dragon. Enjoy the antics of the Penguins of Madagascar. All in one venue.
Bars and nightclubs include Centerplay on the casino floor, along with the clubs Pangea and Chaos.
Two more integrated resorts are set to join Solaire and City of Dreams within the next few years, but Manila is fast becoming a major gaming hub for the Asia-Pacific region.
Owner: Melco Crown Entertainment and the Belle Corp.
Manager: Melco Crown Entertainment
Architect/Designer: Asya Design
General Contractor: Leighton Contractors
Investment: $1.3 billion
That’s Entertainment
t’s not a complete coincidence that the Chinese government crackdown on corruption has stymied the VIP business in the Macau casinos. For years, the Macau government has been urging the casino companies to de-emphasize the VIP market and focus on the mass and premium mass (the visitors that fall between middle class and “whales”) by developing non-gaming attractions.
But it proved difficult to convince casinos to turn their back on 70 percent of their gaming revenues. So when a Chinese edict to reduce corruption on the mainland spilled over into Macau, the casino companies had no choice but to sharpen their focus on the mass market.
In reality, however, the Cotai casinos have always featured more than just gaming. The first, the Venetian, offers massive MICE facilities and retail. Later, Galaxy and City of Dreams added entertainment and other features like upscale hotel suites and innovative pools.
But there has been nothing in Macau like Macau Studio City, a property largely owned by Melco Crown Inter-national, which also owns City of Dreams and Altira in Macau. Studio City is poised to redefine what it means to develop non-gaming attractions.
Just a few years ago, Melco Crown rescued the dormant project, which ground to a halt because of financial roadblocks in the first frenzy of Macau development. But outside of the foundation and the projected entertainment theme, Melco Crown Co-Chairman Lawrence Ho changed the original plans for Studio City, and transformed the project into a glittering $3.2 billion Hollywood movie set.
“Since Melco Crown Entertainment became involved with Studio City, we have ambitiously planned and developed the property to engage the much broader group of leisure entertainment seekers who want emotionally engaging experiences that they can share with friends and family,” says JD Clayton, the president of Macau Studio City. “This vision of Mr. Ho has brought a new life to Studio City.”
Gary Goddard’s Goddard Group was named the lead design firm, and along with the architect of record, Leigh & Orange, the two companies collaborated in bringing Ho’s vision to life.
“When Melco-Crown became the majority owner in the project, Lawrence Ho decided that the previously designed ‘contemporary steel and glass building’ did not really communicate the idea of a destination that was to be about entertainment, nightlife, recreation and fun,” Goddard explains. “As a fan of cinema in all its many forms, Mr. Ho decided the new resort should be iconic in a way that would create excitement for visitors to Macau. He wanted a destination that would draw its inspiration from the world of motion pictures and entertainment. And he wanted a new resort that would become Macau’s next ‘must-see’ destination.
“The only thing we were asked to retain was the basic foundation, as the steel was already being installed on site. So we kept the foundation, but then set about creating an all-new approach to the design. Our goal was to create something that would be immediately iconic, meaning that it had to be different than anything else in Macau, and ideally, anything else in the world. So we looked to classic motion pictures and decided to create something that would, like the greatest movies in history, be an epic and larger than life in every way.
“We set about creating a design for Studio City that would recall the power and energy of the silver screen with a number of unique elements that would echo our memories from event movies of the past and present.”
Jettisoning Junkets
In what would have been heresy a few short years ago, Ho decided to forgo the VIP rooms that had been standard in every casino in Macau.
“We steered away from the VIP market a long time ago,” he told the Macau Daily Times. “I think we are the second least reliant on VIP customers out of the six concessionaires. The VIP contribution to our overall group, even before Studio City, was less than 10 percent, so that is not that important to us at the moment.”
The thorny question of how many table games would be granted to Studio City was resolved just days before opening when the government approved 250 tables at the property. While it fell short of the 400 that had been requested, it was 100 more than was granted to the second phase of Galaxy when it opened last May (Galaxy was granted an additional 100 tables at the same time the Studio City allotment was announced). However, Ho will be forced to renegotiate loan terms, which required 400 tables.
“It’s no secret that for a long time the rumor was we were going to get 150 tables,” said Ho. “Were we flipping out? Of course we were flipping out. But we never went out publicly. There’s no arguing with City Hall. There’s no arguing with the government. There’s only begging and lobbying and more begging.”
Clayton says gamblers will be pleased with the selection of games.
“With an array of choices of gaming tables, slot machines and electronic table games, Studio City offers an exciting and dynamic gaming experience on the main gaming floor,” he says. “It is worth noting that when walking into the retail space, casino visitors will be favorably impressed with the expertise and attention to detail that was given to interior design. The cinematic theme is very evident in the space, and provides a warm and engaging atmosphere in which to be entertained.”
But Ho believes that the non-gaming focus of Studio City is crucial for not only the success of the property but also of the city.
“What has been going on with the Chinese economy, especially the anti-graft campaign, has made the VIP environment more challenging in the near term, as fear has been driven into the hearts of many of the middle-to-upper class,” Ho told Fairfax Media. “However, the gaming market, especially the mass-market segment, still has much potential for development.
“Melco has tailored its investments and market strategy towards attracting a diverse clientele from both gaming and non-gaming sectors. Diversification and innovation are paramount to overcoming the challenges and ensuring sustainable success in the city.”
Clayton echoes his boss.
“We are confident that all these elements found in Studio City can take Macau’s entertainment destination proposition to new heights and help position Macau as Asia’s top leisure and entertainment destination,” he says. “Melco Crown Enter-
tainment has tailored its investments toward attracting a diverse clientele other than gamblers. Diversification and innovation are paramount in overcoming the challenges and ensuring sustainable success in Macau. We are well prepared to bolster our presence in the mass market to grasp the growing opportunities in the segment. This is demonstrated through substantial and innovative enhancements to our assets.”
Location, Location, Location
One of the main reasons Melco Crown felt Studio City was the right acquisition target is its location. Situated adjacent to the Lotus Bridge border crossing connecting Macau and Hengqin Island, China, it also is close to one of the proposed light rail stations in Cotai that will transport people across Macau.
“The strategic location provides convenient access and traffic flow from key transportation gateways and thoroughfares,” says Clayton. “Studio City is therefore geographically well positioned to serve Asia’s increasingly important mass-market segment.”
The target market for Studio City confers upon it a “make-or-break” proposition when it comes to Macau. Clayton has no doubt that Studio City will deliver.
“Our entertainment attractions, rooms, food and beverage and leisure activities are all aimed at appealing to a broad customer base,” he says. “As much as we would like to attract people who will enjoy the most technologically advanced and stunning casino in Macau, we also have the facilities for family visitors on holiday, as well as casual travelers visiting Macau for the entertainment, shopping and food. With our new ballroom and adjoining meeting rooms, 5,000-seat event center and multiple gardens and Pacha nightclub, we are also targeting the business sector for large corporate events and parties.”
Design Elements
Goddard explains that the design of Studio City was crucial in conveying that entertainment theme Ho believed was essential.
“The Art Deco style was a deliberate approach that I felt best suited the goals as Mr. Ho outlined them,” says Goddard. “First, the Art Deco style best captures the ‘Golden Age of Hollywood’ in an epic manner, delivering an iconic destination that we associate with the world of motion pictures. This was accomplished in an elegant and powerful way.
“Second, because this is a major resort destination, we want to assure that the design would deliver an upscale image, and people associate Art Deco as an elegant, clean and inviting form of design.
“Third, where Art Deco buildings remain, such as in Shanghai, they are as beautiful and engaging today as they were in the year they were built. This sense of classic and timeless design was another reason that we chose this direction. Studio City Macau will never appear dated because its design, lines and special features are all classic and timeless.
“Finally, from every angle, Studio City Macau is a photographer’s dream, meaning that visitors will find this a multi-faceted place to send messages to friends and family around the world, and we designed the entire site with social media in mind.
“I should point out that in addition to the Art Deco design for the main building, this resort is based upon the world of motion pictures, and we took care to offer several unique entry points beyond the main front entrance. The Adventure Gateway faces the border entry from China and provides a spectacular entrance to the Studio City complex. But here we chose to create something that brings to mind exotic adventure epics like the Indiana Jones movies and many of the Bollywood action films. The design here emphasizes a sense of high adventure and a royal welcome that hints at the wonders that lie beyond the great doors.”
Clayton says the combination of design and entertainment options makes Studio City unique.
“Studio City’s cinematic theme and mass-market-focused entertainment offerings are clearly differentiated from our company’s existing portfolio of assets, as well as from our competitors’ facilities in the Macau market,” he says. “This Hollywood-inspired resort will take best-of-class, entertainment-fueled leisure offerings to a whole new level in Macau, redefining the territory as a world-leading tourist destination.”
Let Us Entertain You
Clayton reels off the entertainment options at Studio City and points out that each has a special attraction.
“Batman has become an internationally renowned household portrayal of justice, with a collaboration of great filmmakers in featuring the enduring icon in a new cinema production to global audiences every few years,” he says. “As previously announced, the latest Batman v Superman episode will be shown in cinemas by the end of the year. So we expect that the world’s first Batman Dark Flight ride will become the talk of the town with a screening of the latest Batman feature, and also will attract the focus of the Chinese audience to our Batman attraction at Studio City.”
Clayton points out that with Franz Harary’s House of Magic, the property is banking on the success of magic shows all over Asia.
“Taking over two years to develop, the House of Magic, Macau’s first and only permanent magic extravaganza, is an incredible live magical experience,” he says. “Franz Harary first brought his ‘Masters of Magic’ world tour to the City of Dreams in 2013, turning Macau into center stage of a global magical phenomenon with amazing feats never seen before in this part of the world.
“The show was a dazzling extravaganza that challenged your senses, and was well-received by audiences. Given the big success of the previous show, we are truly pleased to have Mr. Harary to once again host the amazing performance at the House of Magic.
“The House of Magic is home to magic acts performed by leading magicians from around the world. It is a one-of-a-kind multi-theater attraction unlike anything seen in Asia or elsewhere in the world. It is set to become the premiere performance venue for magicians globally. Featuring four live magicians in a three-theater magic complex, it amazes visitors with an array of mind-bending shows that include Harary’s spectacular resident show Mega Magic, offering incredible live magical experiences showcasing the world’s greatest magicians.”
Studio City lives up to its name by presenting Studio 8, the only live television production facility in Macau available to all comers.
“In terms of television broadcast facilities, Studio City’s Studio 8 is a 300-seat live-audience TV broadcast studio for reality and game show productions distributed in the Asia region,” says Clayton. “It is the only TV studio facility in Macau to provide open access to plug-and-play facilities to create a fully operational television recording and broadcast studio. Studio 8 is a state-of-the-art studio with the necessary infrastructure to support the portable specialist equipment required for world-class TV production. It is set to become a broadcast entertainment hub used for filming, recording and watching Asia’s top television programs.”
Setting the Standard
Clayton says Studio City has upped the ante for what guests expect in an integrated resort, starting with the hotel rooms and suites.
“To deliver the ‘Live Like A Star’ experience to visitors, Studio City hotel offers the finest in luxury accommodations with 1,600 rooms and suites in two adjoining towers, the Celebrity Tower and the premium Star Tower,” he explains. “The Star Tower delivers the ultimate in lavish facilities and service for more discerning guests, while our Celebrity Tower provides a deluxe hotel experience for group travelers including access to all of the entertainment that Studio City has to offer. Star Tower features spacious suites of 65 square meters, VIP and executive private check-in service, an exclusive indoor pool, the Star Club private lounge, and the luxurious Zensa spa, for an all-around glamorous experience reaching the highest international five-star standards.”
Another bar-raising development at Studio City is the pool deck, where RiverScape, a lazy river concept, is combined with adventure.
“RiverScape is where the adventurous want to glide in the water for more than 260 meters, which will be a showcase attraction for hotel guests on the Studio City Podium Deck. RiverScape and swimming pool Aqua Play offer visitors the ultimate yet relaxing adventure experience for all ages. Spreading over 21,800 square meters, the recreation facilities include an outdoor pool and Jacuzzi, a white sand beach, contemporary sun lounges, private cabanas, a pool bar, and the adventurous RiverScape ride.
“Studio City’s water and recreation facility set the standard for landmark family attractions in Macau, and offer the best and most sophisticated, adventurous-yet-relaxing experience for all guests.”
MICE business has also been optimized at Studio City.
“To capture opportunities from the booming MICE industry, Studio City offers a wide range of unique thrilling event experiences inspired by Hollywood-style glamour,” says Clayton. “Our dedicated MICE team can provide totally personalized, outstanding services for events of any size. MICE visitors are set for a spectacular experience at Studio City unlike anything currently offered anywhere in Asia. Studio City offers over 4,000 square meters of indoor event space which can be configured, allowing meeting and event planners to host anything from an exclusive banquet to an international conference with everything tailored to create the theme of their choice.”
Like all other aspects of the property, the Studio City shopping area combines retail and entertainment.
“Since immersive entertainment experiences are at the very core of the Studio City proposition, our new resort retail area, The Boulevard, innovatively combines high-energy immersive entertainment with the very best in fashion-forward retail offerings. Our retail offering is a totally new concept for Macau and Asia, and brings an exciting dynamic shopping experience and a further world-class non-gaming attraction to our thrilling mix of entertainment-inspired leisure destination attractions,” Clayton says.
The retail area gives a nod to great American entertainment centers, as well.
“Unlike any retail offering found in Asia, this unique 35,000-square-meter, immersive retail entertainment environment brings shopping to life by transporting visitors to high-energy streetscapes—entertaining them at every turn with featured streets and squares inspired by iconic shopping and entertainment locations including New York’s Times Square and Hollywood’s Beverly Hills. Moreover, at the Times Square Macau, The Boulevard at Studio City presents a variety of entertainment activities, from virtual musicians to film stars shown through holographic projections,” he says.
Fixing the Holes
Clearly, the most striking element of Studio City is the iconic figure-8 observation wheel, the Golden Re
el, emerging from the center of the building itself.
“As a new iconic landmark in Macau, the Golden Reel is a totally unique entertainment offering in Asia, and indeed the world,” says Clayton. “Towering 130 meters above Cotai, the Golden Reel is majestically located in the center point between the twin Art Deco towers, and will offer visitors a thrilling ride experience found only at Studio City.
“The Golden Reel was formed in traditional Hollywood blockbuster movie fashion when not one but two flaming asteroids crash through the building in tandem to create an almost perfect figure 8 (hole). With the Industrial Revolution-themed loading platform 23 floors above the ground floor, the Golden Reel has a total of 17 ‘steam-punk’ themed cabins each comfortably accommodating up to 10 people on the 15-minute jaw-dropping journey around the distinctive figure-8 track.
“Blending the romance of the golden age of travel with Melco Crown Entertainment’s unprecedented ability to provide world-class entertainment experiences, the Golden Reel showcases the company’s commitment to leading the market with one-of-a-kind, industry-redefining attractions.”
Goddard says his company spent many hours and days concentrating on getting this element correct.
“The Golden Reel was inspired by Lawrence Ho’s suggestion that a meteor might have crashed through the center of the towers creating an open space,” he explains. “From this idea we created the idea for an open space, and then, realizing the power of the number 8 throughout Asia, we doubled the opening and Mr. Ho immediately embraced the concept. We then suggested that activating the area with a Ferris wheel, creating what would be the world’s first figure-8 wheel Ferris wheel, could be quite spectacular. Mr. Ho agreed, and we set about designing what became the Golden Reel.
“From that point on it was a team effort, with the internal Studio City entertainment team, and the ride manufacturing company, and the construction company, all working together to ensure the Golden Reel would be realized. Challenges included figuring out the styling of the cabs, the engineering of the structure and ride system (carried out by Vekoma Rides), and ultimately, the total guest experience from the time they purchase their ticket to the time they board, to the time they disembark.
“As the creators and designers for this incredible achievement, our goal was to create something so incredible and so fantastic that it would inspire everyone who sees it—whether in the news, or social media, or photos online.”
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Macau Studio City’s Entertainment Options
Whether they are gamblers, millennials, business travelers, leisure visitors or MICE participants, Studio City has a vast array of
choices to entertain them.
• The Golden Reel: With an Industrial Revolution-themed loading platform 23 floors above the ground floor, the Golden Reel has a total of 17 “steam-punk” themed cabins, each accommodating up to 10 people on the 15-minute jaw-dropping journey around the distinctive figure 8 track.
• Frank Harary’s House of Magic: A three-theater complex featuring master illusionist Frank Harary and his Mega Magic show, along with other renowned magicians, for a truly immersive experience.
• Warner Bros. Fun Zone: A 40,000-square-foot indoor play center packed with rides and interactive fun zones, featuring all your favorite characters from Warner Bros., DC Comics, Hanna Barbera and Looney Toons in a secure child concierge environment.
• Studio City Event Center: A 5,000-seat multi-purpose entertainment venue featuring live music, theatrical shows and top sporting events.
• Studio 8: The only television studio in Macau to offer open-access, “plug-and-play” facilities to create a fully operational recording and filming studio.
• Batman’s Dark Flight: A simulated ride aboard Batman’s unique vehicles, taking advantage of the long-standing popularity of the movie series.
The Crystal Ball
At G2E 2015, the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers (AGEM) held a seminar on the “Casino Floor of the Future.” It was a very popular session because, in fact, no one knows exactly what the gaming floor is going to look like, and the vision has changed markedly within the past decade.
No longer do you see an ocean of slot machines with little islands of table games. Today’s casino floor is less orderly, more meandering. Banks of like slot machines are arranged in such a manner to welcome players. And table games are sometimes grouped together under unique architectural features, or with a theme like a Party Pit.
But competition has also shrunk the casino floor. In Atlantic City, which has seen half its revenue disappear, four of 12 casinos have closed and the remaining casinos have downsized their casino floors. At the Tropicana, former casino floor space has been transformed into restaurants, bars or nightclubs. At Resorts, a food court is now the connection between the hotel rooms and the casino floor.
So, speculation on what a casino will look like 10 years from now is only that—speculation.
But consider these elements. Players are getting more comfortable using their personal devices, like smartphones or tablets, to play games. What if a casino/manufacturer can design a smartphone game that can be played for real money on the casino floor?
Skill games are the big buzz word these days, but what shape will they take? Most likely, it will be competition between players, like an auto racing game. First one to the finish line wins the lion’s share of the money bet.
And how about attracting more millennials to the casino by combining what they like most right now—day and nightclubs—with gambling?
And how about those high-tech touchscreen tabletops? Can you imagine them as the ultimate in social networking inside a casino?
Want to watch a football game in a casino? Why not add the “in-running” element to the betting options on your mobile app?
Got a group coming with a specific theme or ethnicity? Let’s design a carousel/pit so that you recognize the group and its leaders.
Clearly, the casino floor of the future will hold some new and exciting surprises. As designers and operators, it’s time to shape that future in a way that pleases the guests—and the bottom lines.
