Business magnate Tony Fung revealed details about the design of the new integrated resort that is to be built on the site of the former Casino Canberra. The billionaire, who was born in Hong Kong and spent considerable time of his life in Canada, purchased the property late in December 2014, paying AU$6 million for it.
Fung shared that the new resort will carry out the spirit of those on the Las Vegas Strip. And this is why architects from America’s gambling Mecca have been asked to create their design plans for the appearance of the hotel and casino venue.
A spokesperson for Aquis said that the building of the former casino might be destroyed completely in the process of redevelopment. It was also pointed out that apart from numerous gaming tables, the new venue will feature top-class restaurants and bars and will bring life to the city’s southern area. No slot machines will be installed, however.
Justin Fung, Mr. Fung’s son, commented on their project as a perfect opportunity to turn the former Casino Canberra into a popular gambling, leisure, and entertainment destination.
The acquisition of the capital-based casino was part of a major deal which included the purchase of gambling venues in Queensland. Those, too, are property of Casinos Austria. However, Aquis did not manage to meet the deadlines that the government of Queensland had given, so it decided that it should buy the Canberra property first.
Mr. Fung’s company also purchased land behind the building of the current casino. Its management team shared that an entertainment facility, which will generate additional revenues to the city, is to be built there.
Las Vegas-based architecture companies Friedmutter Group and Westar Architects as well as Australia-based DBI have been asked to visit the site and to submit their plans for the place’s appearance.
The first company is known to have been responsible for the design of The Cosmopolitan in Las Vegas, a $1.73-billion, 2960-room casino and hotel venue. As for the latter, its employees were part of the teams that created MGM Grand Hotel & Casino’s design.
It was announced that Cox Architecture will be the lead company working on the project.
A spokesperson for Aquis shared that the new venue might bear certain resemblance to Perth-based Crown Metropol, a hotel and casino venue owned by James Packer.
Justin Fung promised that their project will generate numerous construction and permanent jobs and local people will be employed.
Aquis said in a statement that it will keep on working with Casino Canberra’s current managers. Only minor changes in the team might occur at some point in future.
The construction of the resort is expected to be completed before the end of 2016.
