Project Updates and News

[ChauTauVillager]

Originally Posted by ggaaxx

Do you know if those companies are relocating people from Vagas to Macau, ALKUN?

ggaaxx
I'm sure some people will get relocated, it'll be a matter of how many. Probably not that many, and mainly sr management. I'd guess middle managers will need to speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese (or at least 2). And there have been a large no of ads in the SCMP for MGM amongst others.
Since Macau's working population is about 250-300k, and that Sands plans to employ 75k, and employment at a low, there will be a demand of more immigration.
Also, noted a young married couple, Chinese w/ US accents buying a large unit in One Central. I think there are going to work in Macau casinos.
Hence there should be a large demand for Chinese overseas in the casinos for middle management roles. Heard they are looking at Philippines (English speaking) also. Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are also likely candidates (due to Chinese content). Noted that Macau holding a roadshow in Indonesia to attract high-fliers to Macau (5% out of 200m are Chinese, and they tend to be rich, and they can also offer jobs to the less well off).
For lower management, I'd guess HK is also a likely market. A lot of HK'ers have already gone to Beijing (for the Olympics) with the hotels being revamped, and HK has the expertise in this field (ie Hotel, Interior Design, restaurants). General staff will come fm Guangdong province and HK.

[ALKUN]

Originally Posted by ggaaxx

Do you know if those companies are relocating people from Vagas to Macau, ALKUN?

Well I work for the MGM Company and We do have the option to request for a transfer to Macau.
So yes we can relocate to Macau . Of course They will need people who can speak the language but it depends on your job position.
That is great.

[a2zMacau]

Originally Posted by ChauTauVillager

ggaaxx
I'm sure some people will get relocated, it'll be a matter of how many. Probably not that many, and mainly sr management. I'd guess middle managers will need to speak English, Mandarin and Cantonese (or at least 2). And there have been a large no of ads in the SCMP for MGM amongst others.
Since Macau's working population is about 250-300k, and that Sands plans to employ 75k, and employment at a low, there will be a demand of more immigration.
Also, noted a young married couple, Chinese w/ US accents buying a large unit in One Central. I think there are going to work in Macau casinos.
Hence there should be a large demand for Chinese overseas in the casinos for middle management roles. Heard they are looking at Philippines (English speaking) also. Singapore, Malaysia and Indonesia are also likely candidates (due to Chinese content). Noted that Macau holding a roadshow in Indonesia to attract high-fliers to Macau (5% out of 200m are Chinese, and they tend to be rich, and they can also offer jobs to the less well off).
For lower management, I'd guess HK is also a likely market. A lot of HK'ers have already gone to Beijing (for the Olympics) with the hotels being revamped, and HK has the expertise in this field (ie Hotel, Interior Design, restaurants). General staff will come fm Guangdong province and HK.

As much as I like Macau, I could not live there, its too small and getting too crowded for my liking. I am fortunate though that I can fly for less than US$40 one way and still can enjoy the beaches and more in Thailand!

However, must say I am long overdue for a update visit to Macau

[ChauTauVillager]

It cost me that much for a return trip from HK!!! Where can you find such a cheap price for Thailand ??
Sure they'll reduce arrival tax/price etc with pressure fm the new investors...
Agree, not sure if I'd stay long run. No nice beaches etc...

[ggaaxx]

A2Zmacau is making us jealous here. US$40 ticket is insane!

I haven't swum in the beach there for a while either. Last time was like in my junior high years. I still go for the Barbecue though. Beaches in the Philippines, Thailand, etc. are just nicer.

[a2zMacau]

Oops, forgot the tax etc. still cheap though. Without tax $62.

Total Cost of Return Flight 4,780 THB = US$140 for return.

Now if I just could find the time

Cheers,

Bert

[philip]

I hope that I am not asking too much, but could somebody take a picture of the MGM Grand Macau every month (until it is completed)? I really want to follow its construction progress. Thanks.

[philip]

MGM Grand Macau, March 2007

[ChauTauVillager]

Great pics. Esp the comparison with model. Was in Macau today and also noted they've just put up some of the third band at the top (gold colour). How did you get inside !!

Also saw Venetian. In 4 months they've also done loads.... the outer structure of main building now finished, and a lot of the surrounding area. It is now beginning to really look the part, and looks like they can open by then. However since it is so massive, there's still lots to do and I can't see the interior. It is really impressive !!

[philip]

^ChauTauVillager,

The pictures I got are from MGM Mirage Investor Relations, I live in the U.S. However, I would really apreaciate if someone living in Macau or Hong Kong can take a picture of the projects every month (or whenever you visit Macau) because the pictres will be more up-to-date.

If you have taken pictures of MGM and Ventian when you visit Macau yesterday, please share them with us. Thanks !

[SeeMacau]

the facade colors of MGM Grand are very attractive, thanks for sharing the pics philip,

[ALKUN]

MGM GRAND , will look really great when finished.

[ChauTauVillager]

Some pics taken at the end of March when I last visited, esp for Phillip !!
Looks like the MGM photos are quite up to date, with only a little bit further done.


Second pic taken on same day is along the lake next to One Central Residences, with Grand Lisboa almost completed (nb Casino at lower floor open). Left is Bank of China, Right is part of Wynns.

[philip]

^Absolutely Magnificent!!! Thanks, ChauTauVillager.

I just noticed that the color on MGM Grand is "Gold, Silver, and Copper", the 3 major mineral elements (coin/currency) identified and used by ancient China. I sure wish this place will become a money-making machine!!

[philip]

Bonus picture of MGM Grand Courtyard:

[ChauTauVillager]

Fm memory, pic of MGM taken next to Wynn, so I believe the cranes on the right should be One Central Residences. I think the road is the 'back' or side entrance, where the tourist coaches should arrive. The lower levels at the front was also unfinished at the time.
Compared with the Venetian, there was more progress there with the main building completed and unravelled. Likewise, the lower levels were still in progress (though a small part, possibly 10% of the ground level facade was basically complete). Based on this, The Venetian should be more advanced (opening due 3Q 2007). However, Venetian is a huge site so it may be hard to tell which will open first.
As mentioned, in 4-5 months (since Nov), the Venetian has moved quite considerably as work apparently is going on 24 hours a day. I know there is a major convention/fair in October 2007, so for sure it will open before (July/August ??). Likewise the MGM did not have any cladding back in November.

ps just noticed. The pics of MGM courtyard ... looks very similar to the small finished part of the Venetian ground level also ... Very Italian (or Portugese or Mediterreanean). Maybe one of the casino's should open something more original also (maybe Emperor's Forbidden Palace !!), or Great Wall of China rising next to the Luxor ??

[philip]

Originally Posted by ChauTauVillager

The pics of MGM courtyard ... looks very similar to the small finished part of the Venetian ground level also ... Very Italian (or Portugese or Mediterreanean).

Based on my observation of architectural details, the courtyard of MGM is more Portugese which fit the theme of the former colony very well.

[ChauTauVillager]

And now, for comparison, The Venetian, and Galaxy, taken end March.

Sorry about quality, weather wasn't good (like HK, doesn't seem to have many days of good weather anymore). Also taken in a taxi-drive by.

This pic shows the true size of this project. Note the surrounding built up area is massive compared to the huge main building. Probably 8 times the size of Wynn's or MGM Grands land area. Believe something like 4m sq ft (1m for MICE, 1m for shopping with I believe main block 3000 hotel rooms (biggest in world) etc). There is nothing like this in HK or likely Europe this size.

Shows part of the completed lower area facade. Very Italian.

Front entrance, with some Roman statues in place.

Finally, the Galaxy (?) mega project, with completion later than Venetian. This one is also massive, but probably 1/2 Venetian ?, but more than double existing Wynn's and MGM Grand. They are next to each other.

[philip]

I still don't know how Venetian Macau plans to fill all that 3000 rooms. Leisure travelers can stay in a hotel in Hong Kong or downtown Macau or even in the nearby China, so Venetian needs to attract conventioneers. But will they really be able to host enough conventions year-round? Hong Kong has many and well-designed convention facilities and better transportation infrastructure, so the two cities will be in direct competition with each other in this regard.

Second, many business travelers in Asia stay in budget hotels, so why would they choose to stay in a 5-star Venetian when they come here for conventions. I don't think most companies in China will pay to have their employees stay in an ultra-luxury resort during business trip.

[ChauTauVillager]

Just saw some info, I may be wrong, it could be 4000 rooms (managed by Starwood), plus other hotels for a total of approx 20k rooms in 2-3 years.

They're targetting some conventions plus events (NBA, soccer). I know there is a trade fair 18-20 October 2007, plus a few others later (at least 5 other). According to some of the blurb, hotel rooms are much cheaper in Macau than the fairs in HK (true at any time of the year) and in Quangzhou (true during fair season). Of course, China exhibitors can stay in Zhuhai, even cheaper. The Canton Fair is a huge event held semi-annually.
They are competing with HK on this regard, and if you also plan to do shopping/gambling, then at least 1 night stay will be needed. The ferry takes too long (easily 3-4 hours round-trip in time) and cost almost HK$400 (USD50) each. If you have 2 people, this can easily cover a cheap hotel. In fact, people may stay in Macau with its budget airfares/hotels and pop over to HK for the day trip.
Plus 4m sq ft of luxury shopping on stream soon. This is apparently the same as HK total. These are the things that caught my eye, and feel that Macau will compete with HK in these aspects, including eventually property. Of course, you can also see it another way - once there is a bridge to HK, Macau (and Shenzhen/Dongguan/Zhuhai) may be considered 'Greater HK', a single supercity or region with finance/HQ (in HK), entertainment/leisure/back office (Macau) and manufacturing (other nearby cities).