Okada Manila on track to open by year-end

MANILA, Philippines - Okada Manila, the third integrated resort and casino to rise at the 100-hectare Entertainment City in Parañaque, is now roughly 85 percent complete, its president said yesterday.

“We’re now in the mid-80s in terms of percentage of completion. We’re on target with regards to our projects,” said Okada Manila president Steve Wolstenholme.

He said the priority now is to open the world-class integrated resort and entertainment project before the end of the year and possibly ahead of a planned stock market listing.

“Our top of mind right now is the opening. If and when a listing will happen and in whatever form it will happen, whether it’s a backdoor listing, will be determined by our chairman,” Wolstenholme said, referring to Japanese casino mogul Kazuo Okada.

Okada and Filipino businessman Antonio Cojuangco, a member of Tiger Resort’s board of directors, are partners in the world-class integrated resort.

Top officials of the company led a site visit yesterday, showcasing Phase 1 of the project, which comprises 21.55 hectares.

Construction works are ongoing with 19,000 workers working on different shifts at a 24/7 cycle, officials said.

Phase 1, with an investment of $2.4 billion, consists of two wings and is designed with a gold exterior. The Pearl and Coral Wing, comprising 15 floors each, will house 993 rooms, ranging from 60 square meters deluxe suites to luxurious 1,400-sqm villas, with each room providing a view of Manila Bay or the resort’s fountain.

In terms of gaming, Okada Manila will have over 500 table games and over 3,000 electronic gaming machines.