MGM Grand Macau Reports Project Enhancements
LAS VEGAS – (PRESS RELEASE) -- MGM Grand Macau, a hotel-casino resort currently under construction in Macau S.A.R., today announced significant enhancements to the project and that it has secured $700 million in project financing from a consortium of leading financial institutions. MGM Grand Macau is 50/50 owned and will be jointly operated by MGM Mirage (NYSE: MGM) and Pansy Ho Chiu-king.
The enhancements to the project include a premier entertainment venue and an iconic hotel atrium which will provide guests an unsurpassed sense of arrival. The newly designed atrium will be a spectacular feature that will be three times the size of Bellagio's world-famous conservatory. The project now includes a significantly larger casino consisting of at least 345 table games and 1,035 slot machines. These enhancements are all being made while the resort maintains over 70,000 square feet for future casino expansion.
MGM Grand Macau is located on a prime waterfront site on the Macau peninsula at the center of the Macau gaming industry. The resort also will include approximately 600 rooms, suites and villas, several restaurants as well as additional entertainment amenities. The project cost, including land and license rights, preopening and capitalized interest, is budgeted at USD $1.06 billion. Construction of the resort is underway and the project is anticipated to open in the second half of 2007.
"MGM Grand Macau has been designed to make a major architectural statement," said Terry Lanni, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of MGM MIRAGE and Chairman of MGM Grand Macau. "Its physical prominence, dramatic tower and signature MGM Grand lion statue, as well as the MGM Grand brand of excellence, will clearly make this a must-see resort in Macau."
Pansy Ho Chiu-king, Managing Director of MGM Grand Macau, said, "MGM Grand Macau will be a world-class resort facility. These enhancements will truly provide a one-of-a-kind guest experience which will attract visitors to Macau and our resort."
MGM Grand Macau has received $700 million of project financing commitments from eight leading financial institutions. The Mandated Lead Arrangers of the senior secured credit facilities are Bank of America, The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation, Banco Nacional Ultramarino, Bank of China, BNP Paribas, China Construction Bank, The Royal Bank of Scotland and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation.
Mr. Lanni said, "We are extremely gratified by the overwhelming support for MGM Grand Macau shown by our international consortium of financial partners. We look forward to sharing our vision for our project and Macau in the upcoming months and broadening these dynamic relationships."
The credit facilities will consist of a hotel & resort facility, a casino project facility and a revolving five-year credit facility. These credit facilities will be secured by the assets of MGM Grand Macau. The credit facilities will be initially priced at LIBOR plus 250 basis points. These commitments are subject to satisfactory final documentation between the parties and approval of such financing agreements by the government of Macau. Closing of these credit facilities is anticipated in the first quarter.