The Macau SAR Government has agreed to a non-gaming expansion plan for Inner Harbour resort Ponte 16, which will see a new commercial building and plaza developed and the famous former floating casino Macau Palace moored outside the new building.
SJM, which holds a 51% stake in Ponte 16’s operating entity – the other 49% is owned by Success Universe – had previously stated that its redevelopment plan would include the creation of a night market and the possible refurbishment of Macau Palace into a bar or other type of non-gaming hotspot.
The government published the change of land plan in the Official Gazette on Wednesday, agreeing to redesignate the 23,066 square meter site, which includes the Ponte 16 resort, Inner Harbour Pier 16 and Inner Harbour Pier 14, into two sites of 9,424 square meters and 9,217 square meters respectively.
The 9,424 square meter site includes the existing Ponte 16 hotel building and part of its outdoor area.
The other 9,217 square meters of land is located next to Ponte 16 and consists of Inner Harbour Pier 14 plus a 5,412 square metre site, which will be converted into the new commercial building and plaza. Inner Harbour Pier 14 will be used to berth Macau Palace and will cover an area of 2,084 square meters.
However, Ponte 16, the grantee of the 4,160 square metre Inner Harbour Pier 16, has voluntarily given up the site and returned it to the government. The government also pointed out that the new land concession lease is valid until 13 February 2030, but the grantee can renew the lease in accordance with the law.
At a September 2023 press conference at which SJM introduced its revitalization plan for the area around Inner Harbour Pier 16, it was mentioned that Macau Palace would be restored and moored at the restructured Pier 14 to provide a one-stop leisure and tourism experience, while the clock tower at Pier 16 will be preserved and restored.
SJM’s Managing Director Daisy Ho said the project would take more than two years to implement and could be ready by 2025 or 2026.
Macau Palace was once a fully functional casino under SJM umbrella, operating from 1995 until its closure on the morning of 25 October 2007. It has since been berthed outside Fai Chi Kei.
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