New gaming space to be built into Studio City’s Phase 2 development will target the premium segment, according to Melco Resorts & Entertainment’s Chief Operating Officer – Macau Resorts, David Sisk.
Speaking at the topping off ceremony of Studio City Phase 2 on Monday, Sisk confirmed that Melco had submitted an application for additional gaming space which he suggested would aim to provide a higher-end experience than is currently available at the Cotai integrated resort.
“We’re looking to add some additional gaming space in some of the towers,” Sisk explained of the US$1.3 billion expansion project, due to open in December 2022.
“We’re applying for that. It’s not a lot of gaming space but we would like to add more gaming space and create a little better environment for some of our premium players within that gaming space. We’ve applied but it’s not up to us, it’s up to the government and we await the government’s response to our plight.”
Sisk did not elaborate on the future of VIP gaming after Melco announced in 2019 plans to cease VIP play at Studio City in early 2020. VIP rolling chip operations have since been extended twice, most recently until 31 December 2021. It is anticipated that all of Melco’s Macau VIP operations will eventually be centralized at City of Dreams although the company has stated its primary focus moving forward will be the more lucrative premium mass segment.
At just 2.300 square meters, new gaming space at Studio City Phase 2 is projected to cover less than 1% of the project’s total 250,000 square meters of floor space, which will primarily be comprised of non-gaming attractions. These are to include one of Asia’s largest indoor and outdoor water parks, a six-screen Cineplex comprising two regular houses and four VIP suites, new retail space as well as a state-of-the-art MICE space.
Sisk said Monday that upgrades were also underway to parts of Phase 1.
“If you look at our Beverly Project, we’re spending over US$30 million to redo Beverly, bring in a new set of restaurants and entertainment as well as a collection of retailers that we have not seen in Macau before that hopefully will diversify the experience,” he said.
“We’re also looking to update other elements within the property, such as our residency program bringing in some massive artists that will come in and do a three-year residency.
“We’re huge believers in the future of Macau, we think there is an amazing opportunity and we think Studio City has not had the opportunity yet given what’s happened with the pandemic.
“We have not seen the rise of Studio City to the level that we want but we think by bringing these elements in we will start seeing Studio City perform where we had originally thought it would with the experiences that we’re going to have.”
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