Miscellaneous resort projects
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It's been the subject of quiet speculation among diplomats and executives for years, but now global casino bosses are setting their sights on a once improbable prize: gambling in the United Arab Emirates

Ras Al Khaimah (RAK), one of the smaller and lesser-known of the seven emirates, said earlier this year that it planned to regulate gaming in some resorts. On the same day, Las Vegas casino giant Wynn Resorts said it would build a resort licensed for gaming, or gambling, on a man-made island.

The announcements could mark a watershed moment for the Gulf, a region that has traditionally imposed stricter Islamic rules than other parts of the Middle East, and one where gambling has long been off-limits.

About 10 km along Dubai's coast from the Caesars resort, digging has begun on another artificial outcrop to support a luxury resort by Las Vegas gambling stalwart MGM Resorts International. When asked whether it would consider introducing gaming at the resort, MGM said "gaming has not been part of the planning and there are no updates to our plans".

Source: https://www.yahoo.com/now/vegas-macau-dubai-global-casinos-051044127.html

Four Seasons and Diriyah Gate Development Authority announce plans for new luxury hotel in Saudi Arabia’s most historic destination

Four Seasons Hotel Diriyah, Saudi Arabia will include approximately 150 luxuriously appointed rooms and suites, expansive meeting and event spaces, a wellness spa with seven treatment rooms and a fitness centre, as well as two outdoor pools with private cabanas. The Hotel will also offer four culinary outlets, including a poolside restaurant and Sunset lounge.

The Diriyah development will become one of the Middle East’s most walkable, pedestrianized cities, and upon completion will be the world’s largest cultural and heritage site. It has been designed to honour the heritage of the area with traditional Najdi architectural design principles, including low-rise, compact and organic architecture, rooftop terraces, decorated doors, and large courtyards. Each district within the development will be highly walkable with easy connections to the sights and attractions within the area.

Source: https://www.zawya.com/en/press-release/companies-news/four-seasons-and-diriyah-gate-development-authority-announce-plans-for-new-luxury-hotel-in-saudi-arabias-most-historic-destination-xb0gaifh

The Gulf nation of Qatar is ramping up its investment in the arts with plans to build three more museums in Doha, including the new Lusail museum which intends to house “the world’s most extensive collection of Orientalist paintings, drawings, photography, sculptures, rare texts, and applied arts.”

The plans were announced on March 27 by Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the chairperson of the state body that oversees the Qatar Museums, during the online Doha Forum.

Designed by Herzog & de Meuron, Lusail will be dedicated to the influence of Middle Eastern and Islamic art on the wider world. The four-story building will span 559,700 square feet and will include exhibition space, an auditorium, library, and educational hubs.

The panel also touched on plans to renovate a disused flour mill on Doha’s waterfront promenade into the Art Mill, a creative campus that will feature more than 861,000 square feet of exhibition and performance space.

Source: https://www.artnews.com/art-news/news/qatar-lusail-auto-museum-art-mill-1234623044/

Las Vegas Sands have spoken about a potential new resort in an "unnamed country"

Las Vegas Sands Chairman and CEO Rob Goldstein has revealed the company is in talks with “a major country” in Asia to develop an integrated resort. Although he has not revealed where, Goldstein did reveal that the project, should it proceed, would be of a similar scale to the company’s Singapore IR, Marina Bay Sands, according to an interview with Las Vegas Review-Journal.

“I don’t want to say where, but we’ve had some rather interesting conversations with a major country there that has reached out to us,” Goldstein said. “It’s proprietary, but we’re looking to build something of scale much like Marina Bay Sands. A lot of countries in Asia have reached out to us over the years, but nothing’s happened. This one feels like it might be a major prospect. A major country, a top-tier country. I hope it’s real.”

Goldstein has previously flagged the company’s intention to pursue new developments both domestically in the United States and in Asia following the recent US$6.25 billion sale of its Las Vegas assets. The company has previously expressed interest in Thailand and had been pursuing an IR license in Yokohama, Japan before withdrawing its bid in 2020. Fellow Las Vegas-based operator Wynn Resorts recently announced plans to develop an IR in the United Arab Emirates.

Source: https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2022/03/14/las-vegas-sands-in-talks-to-develop-new-integrated-resort-in-a-major-country-in-asia-rob-goldstein/

Eden Project Dundee has reached another funding milestone and is moving forward.

The detailed development design and formal planning has been completed for Eden Project Dundee bringing it one step closer to construction

The Eden Project Dundee and its partners have finalised a funding package that will make the next stages of the global attraction possible. A £7.6m injection into the project will provide sufficient funding for the detailed design and development and planning application. Then it will be time for construction.

Source: https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/planning-construction-news/next-phase-development-eden-project-dundee-confirmed/107571/

Brand-new Hilton private island resort launching in Abu Dhabi

LXR Hotels & Resorts is debuting in Abu Dhabi with a private island resort, complete with a golf course. The mega Hilton hotel coming to Al Nawras Island.

LXR Hotels & Resorts is Hilton’s collection of independent properties, and it is now arriving in the capital at Al Nawras Island. The new villa-only hotel is expected to open in 2023 and offers guests a private, secluded island.

The all-villa resort will include 80 expansive beach and water villas plus a 450 square-metre two-bedroom royal villa. The property will surround a state-of-the-art golf course, so be sure to pack your clubs.

Source: https://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/hotels/hilton-lxr-hotels-resorts-abu-dhabi

Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts has announced plans for a resort concept focusing on customizable itineraries led by personal guides, sustainable design and programming inspired by the nature and history of Mexico. The tented resort will be an expansion of the existing Four Seasons Resort Punta Mita in an enclave within the resort community.

Slated to open in late 2022, Naviva, A Four Seasons Resort, Punta Mita, Mexico will offer a collection of 15 luxury tents nestled in the forests of the Riviera Nayarit with views of the Pacific Ocean. Inspired by the idea of naturaleza viva, or “live naturally,” the resort invites guests to connect with the land, sea, fellow guests and, most importantly, themselves.

Source: https://www.luxurytraveladvisor.com/hotels/four-seasons-announces-tented-resort-punta-mita

Originally Posted by Guest

Has the construction plans on Tunica's old Harrah's site been cancelled? The 2021 article mentioned it opening late Summer but I was just visiting a month ago and didn't see any movement

This is the most recent announcement I can find but it's from May 2021 and there have been no further news items I can find about it.
https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/wisconsin/articles/2021-05-29/water-park-golf-planned-at-old-harrahs-tunica-resort

It looks like it hasn't moved on since the original announcement in early 2021 but happy to be told differently if anyone knows?

Has the construction plans on Tunica's old Harrah's site been cancelled? The 2021 article mentioned it opening late summer but I was just visiting a month ago and didn't see any movement.

Las Vegas Sands is doubling down on its commitment to bringing casinos to Texas with a new political action committee that is starting out with over $2 million to spend.

In its first report with the Texas Ethics Commission, Texas Sands PAC showed initial funding of $2.3 million from Miriam Adelson, Las Vegas Sands’ majority shareholder. She is the widow of Sheldon Adelson, a GOP megadonor and former CEO of the Sands. It already has spent over half a million dollars, mostly to help incumbents who were facing primary competition.

Texas has some of the most restrictive gaming laws in the country, but last year, Las Vegas Sands made the most serious effort yet to open the door to casinos in the state. The centerpiece of its proposal was to ask voters if they wanted to build “destination resorts” with casino gambling in the state’s four biggest metropolitan areas.

Source: https://www.expressnews.com/politics/article/Las-Vegas-Sands-launches-2-million-PAC-to-16979879.php