Lisboa Expansion Thread

[ggaaxx]

so hurry for the new year crowd.....

Grand Lisboa is to open on 11 February, just before the approach of the Lunar New Year on 18 February.

In an SJM press release, CEO Stanley Ho claimed that the 1 February has consistently been the 'target date' for the construction progress of the complex.

The press release also claimed that personnel and equipments have arrived for the preparation of the inauguration.

It should be pointed out that it is the casino part of the complex, at the lower floors, that will open. The remainder of the structure will still be under construction.

source

[SeeMacau]

there will be a daily cash prize drawings on the opening day

[ggaaxx]

what a gimmick!

[a2zMacau]

Tens of thousands of gamblers are expected to descend on Macau Sunday for the opening of a spectacular new high-rise casino in the booming Chinese gambling resort. Punters from Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan will queue for seats at the new Grand Lisboa where owners have promised to give 10,000 Hong Kong dollars (1,300 US dollars) to a random guest every 15 minutes.

The six-hour, 31,000-US-dollar giveaway, which begins when the new casino opens at 10 p.m. Sunday, is expected to spark off a frenzy among casino fans in the former Portuguese colony.

In September last year, the Las Vegas-owned Wynn casino was forced to open its doors early when false rumours swept through the waiting crowd that free gambling chips were going to be given away on the opening night.

The Grand Lisboa, a giant multi-storey casino a stone's throw from the Wynn, is casino mogul Stanley Ho's extravagant answer to the wave of new Las Vegas casinos opening in Macau.

Macau's biggest building, it boasts 40 floors, 200 gaming tables and is shaped like a giant lotus flower, symbol of the territory which reverted to Chinese sovereignty in 1999 after 449 years of Portuguese colonial rule.

Ho held a 40-year monopoly on Macau's casinos until the island's chief executive Edmund Ho opened up the industry in 2003 to allow swish Vegas-run casino resorts to operate.

Macau now appears to be on course to establish itself as the world's number one gambling resort largely because Chinese gamblers bet far more heavily than their counterparts in Las Vegas and Monaco.

[a2zMacau]

I just found this great clip, even though the quality is not so good!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An-12kRGfa4

The animation is awesome!

[ggaaxx]

To embed youtube video in this forum, you can do this:

1. Type in a pair of youtube tags (youtube) (/youtube), replace ( ) with [ ]
2. Put whatever after the "=" in your youtube link between the tags

[ggaaxx]

didn't know it will be that tall.

Over 10,000 people were known to have gathered around the flagship premise of SJM which opened last night (11 February).

The management of Grand Lisboa decided to open the casino ten minutes earlier than the scheduled 22:00.

500 police officers plus 600 members of staff from SJM took part in maintaining order of the crowd.

Grand Lisboa, the tallest building in Macau after Macau Tower , measures 52 storeys high and 240 gaming tables and 480 slot machines distributed in five floors.

The hotel complex is still under construction, and will provide 430 rooms if completed before the end of December.

source

[a2zMacau]

[QUOTE=ggaaxx;11724635]
To embed youtube video in this forum, you can do this:

1. Type in a pair of youtube tags (youtube) (/youtube), replace ( ) with [ ]
2. Put whatever after the "=" in your youtube link between the tags

Thanks for the tip, you learn something everyday!



Here is the clip of the opening!

[ggaaxx]

His rivals boast the financial faith of public equity markets, but Stanley Ho has the natural spirits on his side. Two feng shui experts say that Ho's forthcoming Grand Lisboa is positioned to dominate the competition. These masters of the ancient Chinese art of harmonizing buildings and interiors with nature have some suggestions to ensure Ho's Sociedad de Jogos de Macau (SJM) doesn't squander its divine advantage.
Consulting a renowned feng shui expert can cost millions of patacas. For casino moguls seeking advice on their new gaming facilities, fees reach astronomical proportions. Two famous and respected feng shui masters point out the good and the bad in today's gaming geography. The results were curious, but one thing is certain: you can't just wish for nature's blessing, you must pay for it.
With the opening of the Sands Macao casino in 2004, many predicted the end of Stanley Ho's golden era. However, the end of one era simples marks the start of another era. Even when life was easier for SJM's boss with the gambling monopoly, he fretted about feng shui. Now more than ever, Ho feels the terrain before stepping on it.

Winning bat
Ho's flagship Hotel Lisboa is a feng shui triumph. Its main entrance represents a bat turned upside down: an animal that sucks blood encourages the building to suck money. The Nobre de Carvalho Bridge channels the money right to Lisboa's casino door, and the stairs point the way in.
In their bid to end the Lisboa's domination, Ho's rivals have also enlisted feng shui, and the war is on. Since the design and construction of one casino influences others, the new projects require modifications to fight negative influences. This cycle goes on and on, as long as there's enough ambition and money.
Hotel Lisboa is now a dwarf next to its neighbours. The new Wynn Macau just opposite is "squishing" it, according to one expert. With the Bank of China building on the opposite side, dear old Lisboa is being "smashed" from all sides. But it's only a temporary squeeze.
According to feng shui master Cheang Kwai Sang, the obvious "rescue strategy" is to build a bigger and more imposing building. Rising next to the original, Ho's Grand Lisboa, taller than Bank of China and much bigger than Wynn, will turn the balance once again in favour of SJM. Cheang salutes the Grand Lisboa project as a "brilliant idea".
Cheang's office walls in Taipa are covered with photographs of famous people who have called during his 30 years in Macau. The Master, as Cheang likes to be called, also flaunts his interest in "accidents foreseen at birth" with a wall of newspaper clips documents events he knew were about to happen, mainly car accidents. He strongly believes people's names and birth dates determine what professions they should follow, as well as the dates good and bad things will happen to them.

Grand Lisboa has a bad name
When it comes to the new balance between casinos, the master has no doubts about Grand Lisboa's future greatness. But every rose has its thorns. Grand Lisboa should change its name, Cheang says, noting that the English name was chosen before the Chinese one.
Grand Lisboa translates to New Lisboa in Chinese. The three characters - San Pou Keng - are written in 36 strokes, which bring bad luck. In feng shui's language, the number 36 together with the name means "difficulty and complication". He suggests a change according to Chinese tastes - Gold Lisboa. Aside from the cultural benefit, Kam Pou Keng needs only 31 strokes to be written. That's "very good, meaning strength, leadership and command," Cheang says, and consistent with the style that Stanley Ho cultivates. The names Wynn and Sands may not have been chosen by feng shui masters, but they sound very good in Cantonese, especially Sands, which translates to Chinese and Portuguese as Golden Sand.

Wynn fakes it
Steve Wynn's new casino looks like the profile of a hand, Cheang says, covering the old Lisboa's view, with its sight on the water. In Cantonese, water also means money. Chang says everything round is linked with that precious resource. But he derides the curvature of Wynn Macau as "a fake round". Cheang says that's a bad shape for business, although good for government buildings, museums, libraries and cultural activities.
Feng shui master Si Tou disagrees. With a list of published books and a long waiting list for consultations, Si Tou believes Wynn Macau has very good feng shui. The roundabout just in front of Wynn is a good element, he says, seeing the round shape as a "hand" that "grabs" money circulating in the vicinity. But he feels the main entrance facing northeast may bring "bad things" during 2007. Overall, though, Si Tou expects good business ahead for the next two years for Wynn, Sands and SJM.

Stanley Ho's pearl
Even with a bad name, both masters agree Grand Lisboa has great feng shui and that the casino will be successful. Master Cheang thinks that the "pearl" at the base of the building is an excellent idea because it makes the entire project look like a "hand holding a pearl". Others see the base as an "egg" or "ball". In one opinion, the Grand Lisboa is a "lotus flower being born from an egg".
But Cheang fears the building is too close to Bank of China and that "the street is narrow" for such an imposing building. He suggests adding a plaza at the main entrance and a fountain, projecting water - symbolizing money - toward the building. There should be "large areas to balance the entire site," Cheang says. "With a square just in front, the feng shui would greatly improve."
Si Tou sees the situation differently. Grand Lisboa will "transfer" good feng shui to Hotel Lisboa. "The goal is to allow Hotel Lisboa to maintain its longstanding aspirations." Since Wynn could only account for the Hotel Lisboa building, Grand Lisboa "holds all the cards," Si Tou adds. To him, Grand Lisboa is a "pearl" and Wynn is a "hand", and "that hand will always sustain the pearl". In other words, the more Wynn earns, the more Grand Lisboa receives. The Wynn "hand" could just grab the "pearl" and win, but the tall building protects it, according to Si Tou.

Frog on a disco ball
However, to maximize Grand Lisboa's feng shui, Si Tou recommends converting the "pearl" into a mirrored ball. "If the structure was covered by crystals or glass, like in a disco, the multiple reflections would keep all evil things at bay," Si Tou explains. "Perfection would be achieved if there were some light projectors creating the feeling of movement around the pearl." He thinks that good feng shui would spread to all in the vicinity, except Wynn.
The Grand Lisboa may not get that disco ball, but Si Tou is sure there will be a frog to partner with Lisboa's bat across the street. Among feng shui enthusiasts, the frog is known as a "money sucking" animal. This master, whose books include one on avoiding bad luck in casinos, encourages everyone to place a frog (the ones with a coin in their mouth) facing the sea or other water, in a window or on a balcony.

MGM has the stars
MGM Grand Macau casino has favourable lucky stars, Si Tou says. He warns that with MGM and Grand Lisboa flanking it, Wynn will "tremble", echoing Master Cheang's prediction that Wynn would have a difficult 2007. MGM Grand Macau is a partnership between US based MGM Mirage and Pansy Ho's Shun Tak, operating under subconcession from SJM. Pansy Ho is the daughter of Stanley Ho, and the family probably gets advice from the same feng shui masters, so the two buildings could work together against Wynn.
The Venetian Macao on Cotai resembles "two hands shaped like a shell," extremely fortunate, as Si Tou sees it. The shell shape allows the casino to gather water, in this case, money tourists bring as they land at the nearby airport. Si Tou believes that Melco's City of Dreams being built behind Venetian won't get many "leftovers". Melco has enough time to correct the problem, Si Tou says, although "it will be hard to find a solution".
Galaxy's site in Cotai is just a huge hole at the moment, but Si Tou has seen some blueprints and remembers a detail at the top of the building. "There will be a sort of a sword pointed at Venetian," he recalls. If properly designed, that sword could "cut" its neighbour's source of income. But the master warns, "It really has to be well done, otherwise it could turn against Galaxy."
Si Tou offers another cautious note. "So far we have three winners, but in the end, only one will remain. Between 2009 and 2010, big changes are going to happen, and [then] we'll get to know the final winner."

by Joyce Pina

source

[SeeMacau]

Originally Posted by ggaaxx

didn't know it will be that tall.

Over 10,000 people were known to have gathered around the flagship premise of SJM which opened last night (11 February).

The management of Grand Lisboa decided to open the casino ten minutes earlier than the scheduled 22:00.

500 police officers plus 600 members of staff from SJM took part in maintaining order of the crowd.

Grand Lisboa, the tallest building in Macau after Macau Tower , measures 52 storeys high and 240 gaming tables and 480 slot machines distributed in five floors.

The hotel complex is still under construction, and will provide 430 rooms if completed before the end of December.

source

This will be the tallest building in macau probably in the next few years, unless we have more new projects coming up which is taller than this one

[SeeMacau]

thanks for sharing the videos a2zmacau, the Grand Lisboa is indeed look so giant

[Jo]

Not sure if construction updates are needed, since most people living in Macao can see this one almost daily, but here's the status on the 5th of March..

[ggaaxx]

There are not many people in this board live in Macau. It's good to see the updated pictures. Thank you for sharing.

[a2zMacau]

Hi Jo,

Great shot, now if you could also make some update pictures on The Cotai Strip, Venetian, Crown Macau, Ponte 16, MGM Grand and Wynn Expansion, that would be really great!!!!

I hope its not too much to ask, of course we don't want them all at once

Cheers,

Bert

[ChauTauVillager]

Nice Pics. Wonder if its as golden as the original painting at night !
Think a lot of people here have linkages with Macau but don't live there.

[Jo]

I'm not in Macau any more. Was just there three days, so this is the only update I have I'm afraid

I didn't see much of the Cotai Strip, just passed the Venetian construction in the airport bus. I recall the main buildings are in place but much work remains to be done.

The same with Crown Macau. I passed by but didn't take any photos. It's near completion I guess.

Is MGM Grand that highrise with a wavy facade? Cladding was more than halfway to the top IIRC. Wynn expansion looked like it would open any day now, if I'm talking about the right building

The glass sculptures near Wynn/Lisboa are almost done, but the underpasses are not open yet.

The amount of casino developments in Macau is amazing right now. I have to get back there one day!

[dreamtime]

Well i just want to say this forum is quite intersting and informative but 1 thing myths me i have just been to Macau and saw Grand lisboa and yet i cant find a single thread about it in here????

Have you all gone bnored of skyscrapers or something??????

Its the bets skyscrape ri have ever seen and it snot even completley finishe dyet but almost just the top of it now.

Iwish i could post pics i took of it but i cant do it now a sim on holiday and without the correct wires etc.. BUT WH YTHE HELL NOBODY MENTION IT??????? WHATS UP MAN???? Its the real deal best thing since sliced bread.

Anybody know its official height also??

and hello Macau beautiful place best place i have been so far

[ggaaxx]

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=112461

Of course we haven't overlooked it. Looking forward to your pictures!

[MacauVillager28]

Originally Posted by dreamtime

Well i just want to say this forum is quite intersting and informative but 1 thing myths me i have just been to Macau and saw Grand lisboa and yet i cant find a single thread about it in here????

Have you all gone bnored of skyscrapers or something??????

Its the bets skyscrape ri have ever seen and it snot even completley finishe dyet but almost just the top of it now.

Iwish i could post pics i took of it but i cant do it now a sim on holiday and without the correct wires etc.. BUT WH YTHE HELL NOBODY MENTION IT??????? WHATS UP MAN???? Its the real deal best thing since sliced bread.

Anybody know its official height also??

and hello Macau beautiful place best place i have been so far

I think dreamtime has a point here..... I think a lot of people interested in Macau are into the 'new' things more... Cotai, Venetian, MGM Grand, MelcoPBL/Crown, Wynn, Galaxy etc... Whereas this seems to be just 'another' of Mr Ho's casinos. Maybe Mr Ho needs a bit more on PR side.
I would agree it terms of visual, it is one of the most unusual buildings around (on a par with Venetian (due to size) and Macau Tower).
Also, most of the people looking at Macau are say people from the US who may be interested in what the US co's are doing in Macau.

However, in defense, I think it is hard to take a good picture of Grand Lisboa since it is not on the seafront, so other buildings obscure the base. And when you get close enough to see the base, the top is too hi to photograph !! Maybe someone can figure out a location ??

[SeeMacau]

the construction of the hotel part is going very slow,

this is the most recent pic taken by stayrudee
www.flickr.com

image hosted on flickr