Plan may include demolition of existing structure
Hong Kong billionaire Tony Fung of Aquis Developments may raze Casino Canberra to build a “grand Las Vegas-style” integrated resort on the land in Australia’s capital city.
According to the Canberra Times, the complex in City South will include world-class dining and nightlife as well as gaming. Las Vegas architectural firms Friedmutter Group and Westar Architects, along with Australia’s DBI, have been invited to submit master plans for the site, the Times reported. Canberra-based Cox Architects will be the lead architects on the project.
An Aquis Developments spokesperson said the Canberra development could recall the design of Perth’s Crown Metropol, owned by James Packer, with “a mix of internationally acclaimed restaurants, bars, nightlife and entertainment options along with a redeveloped casino” that could revitalize the City South vicinity.
“We see significant potential to turn the current casino into a broader leisure, entertainment and nightlife destination,” said Justin Fung, son of Tony Fung and managing director of Aquis. “I’d expect the quality of dining and entertainment options on offer to be on par with some of the best integrated casino developments in Australia and around the world.”
The deal to acquire the ailing Casino Canberra was approved by the ACT government last month, after the company’s bid to acquire licenses for a mammoth casino resort near Cairns was shelved. Aquis also bought the Queensland licenses held by former owner Casinos Austria.
“This really is a great time to be part of the evolution of Canberra,” Fung said. “The Constitution Avenue upgrade and the longer-term plans for the future development of the city provide us with a solid foundation from which we can start to make a real impact on the City South area.” Aquis expects to finish the complex by the end of 2016.
