Just two months after the official launch, Marina Bay Sand Resort attracts daily 25,000 visitors, a true world record.
The $5.7 billion investment is the second biggest in the world, and upon finishing, in year 2011, it promises to be the second largest resort of its kind, but definitely the most expensive. The launch of the first stage was one to match. Hundreds of personalities from all continents participated, and news and entertainment televisions transmitted the festivities live. Thousands of locals stood in line to visit the casino despite the $70 fee charged by the authorities in order to discourage Singapore locals to play.
The ribbon was cut at local time 3.18, a moment considered lucky according to Chinese numerology.
OLYMPIC POOL AT THE 56TH FLOOR
Marina Bay Sands Integrated Resort includes a hotel with 2,600 rooms out of which only 900 have been put to use so far, 50 restaurants, nearly 300 stores, a conference center with facilities for 45,000 persons, office spaces, a science museum, a performance hall and the biggest dance room in South-East Asia. The complex also features a park with beaches, woods and golf courses. Of course, a private airport was also built for small size helicopters and aircraft. But what makes the complex unique is the tunnel which seems suspended in mid air at the 55th floor, between the two towers of the resort, SkyPark, hosting one of the biggest pools ever seen on a building, having the sizes of an Olympic pool, as well as stores and night clubs. Thus, those keen on heights will have the chance to admire the entire city of Singapore holding the cocktail in one hand and the playing cards in the other. Sky- Park covers a surface of 1.2 hectares, a sufficient space for Airbus A380 to land and its length is equal to the height of the Eiffel Tower. This was the most expensive stage of the construction for the completion of which five years are required. Works were initiated in 2006 and are not yet totally finished. And the sum stipulated for the investment grew from one year to the next. If upon opening the building site people spoke about less than five billion dollars, now it has come to 5.7 and the balance of expenses has not yet changed.
But the entire construction is truly impressive. It is at the same time futuristic, as well as traditional due to the symbols embedded in its architecture. The architects preferred elegance to opulence, as opposed to the designers of other casinos. Seen from high up, the building has the shape of an open palm, a sign bringing good fortune according to the principles of fengshui.
ASIANS TRULY LOVE TO PLAY
The investors are convinced that luck will be by their side. Sheldon Adelson, chairman of Las Vegas Sands Corporation, says that the new resort will be a success, and the investment will be recovered in a few years, because “people in Asia truly love to play”.
The representatives of the casino state they expect cash-ins in quantum of one billion dollars per year, especially given the conditions that Singapore is the city with the biggest density of millionaires in the world. In order to access any of the playing rooms, those interested need to pay a fee of 70 American dollars, ensuring them a 24-hour access inside the casino. However, once inside, any player will feel in paradise: more than 1,600 slot-machines, 250 types of games and more than 500 tables at which cards are dealt for almost any kind of game, against the unmistakable sound of the roulette. One can play Baccarat, Roulette, Sic-Bo, Singapore Stud Poker, Non Commission Baccarat etc. This is the second casino to be opened in Singapore, after Resort World, which was launched in February. Until year 2005, local authorities prohibited gambling within the city.
ARTE VIZUALE/MEDIA
