A $4bn Chinese-themed resort in Las Vegas broke ground yesterday, to the accompaniment of lion dancers in traditional costume and oriental thunder drumming.Â
The first phase of the Resorts World scheme, which is owned by Malaysia’s Genting Group, will include a 3,000-room hotel and a 175,000 square foot casino, complete with indoor waterpark and giant panda exhibit.Â
When it is completed, the 22 million square foot development will have four towers with more than 6,500 rooms, and will have a construction cost of $7bn.Â
KT Lim, the chairman of Genting Group, said: “After 50 years of developing integrated resorts all around the globe, we are thrilled to be breaking ground on the Las Vegas Strip in the great state of Nevada.Â
“Las Vegas is known for its world-renowned resorts, and the Genting Group looks forward to being a part of the city’s continued growth by creating a huge national and international draw with this Chinese-themed world-class resort.”
Dancers celebrate the beginning of construction work on Resorts World (Jeff Scheid/Las Vegas Review-Journal)
Genting properties host more than 50 million visitors annually.Â
Resorts World is due to open in 2018, creating 13,000 permanent jobs.Â
Genting Group purchased the 87-acre plot in March 2013 for $350m.
The was land once home to the Stardust hotel and casino. Image: Artist’s depiction of the completed Resorts World (Genting Group)
