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Westside City, a record-breaking casino resort in Manila Entertainment City, with 75 percent of construction done, now nearing its completion. Overseas consultancy firm Arcadis, which has assumed cost management and construction supervision since May 2020, has recorded the completion of main areas, including the casino and back-of-house facilities, which sets the stage for a seamless handover to the final phase under new project management guidance.
Project Background and Timeline
Westside City is a $1.25 billion integrated resort complex developed by Suntrust Resort Holdings in Parañaque. The project has been delayed several times over the years, with the developer currently owning a minority stake due to corporate restructuring. Recently, SunTrust has changed the target date for the main casino’s opening to the third quarter of 2026. This decision was made after the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) approved the revised Project Implementation Plan.
Financial Bids and Ownership Profile
SunTrust subscribed to 400 million common shares of Westside Bayshore Holding Corporation (WBHC) for 40 percent ownership. WBHC is a holding unit of Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., which is the leisure and tourism business of Alliance Global Group Inc. With this investment, Suntrust indirectly owns Entertainment City Resorts Corp. (ECRC), which oversees the development and operation of the Westside integrated resort.
Travellers International and Suntrust have jointly committed up to $450 million to complete construction. Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez, President and CEO of Travellers, affirmed in September that the project is moving “full speed ahead.” He acknowledged the likelihood of needing additional capital but emphasized the simple goal of “finishing and operating as soon as we can.”
Strategic Significance and Market Positioning
Upon opening, Westside City will further position the Philippines as a top destination for entertainment and gaming in Asia. It will be the addition to other world-class integrated resorts in the country, such as Solaire Resort, City of Dreams Manila, and Okada Manila, to expand Manila’s competitive advantage in the regional market.
On Track Towards a New Landmark in Entertainment City
Westside City’s construction update marks an important milestone on Manila’s integrated resort scene. After previous delays, the smooth transfer in project development and strong financial backing set Westside City on the path for a prosperous opening scheduled in late 2026.
With the construction going on, the resort has been committed to further expanding Entertainment City and establishing Manila as a top-notch leisure and gaming hub of Asia.
Source: Asia Gaming Brief (AGB)
