Suntrust Resort Holdings, the Philippine-listed unit of Hong Kong’s LET Group Holdings, will open its integrated resort in Westside City, Manila, in the third quarter of 2026.
The PHP73 billion (US$1.25 billion) project began in 2019 with a projected opening in 2022. It met with several “global disruptions”, including the Covid-19 pandemic, acknowledged global design consultancy Arcadis. Most recently, the IR was scheduled to debut before the end of 2025.
In a statement on Wednesday, Arcadis said the project is now 75% complete. Project Director Joseph Atabug said the “landmark development” is on “the brink of completion, overcoming unprecedented challenges along the way”. Westside City will deliver “results beyond expectations”, he said.
Partnership of Suntrust, Travellers
Westside City spans 31 hectares (310,00 square metres) in Manila’s Entertainment City casino zone. The district is already home to three IRs: Solaire, Okada Manila and City of Dreams. All are in Parañaque City, about a 10-minute drive from Ninoy Aquino Airport.
The new complex will include three hotel towers with more than 2,500 rooms, a spa and wellness centre, a 3,000-seat performance hall and meeting and convention space. The casino will offer more than 2,000 slot machines and gaming tables serving both mass and VIP players.
The complex is a joint venture of Suntrust and Travellers International Hotel Group, developer and operator of Newport World Resorts in Metro Manila. According to the Manila Standard, in September Travellers took over development of Westside City, heralded as the “Broadway of Asia”.
“Westside City is more than a destination – it’s a commitment to Filipino talent and world-class entertainment,” said Travellers Chairman Kevin Tan. “Our vision is to create a global stage that celebrates local excellence.”
Turbulent markets, growing competition
In past statements, Suntrust has acknowledged that the casino “may face significant competition in the Philippines”. Its performance is also subject to “economic downturn, economic uncertainty and other factors affecting discretionary consumer spending”.
“The company expects competition in the Philippines to be intense as multiple integrated resort-casino projects have been approved and/or currently operating,” Suntrust stated. “Entertainment City is continuously being developed into a casino hub. Competitive pressures in the Philippine gaming industry could affect the main hotel casino’s business, financial condition and results of operations. Any reduction in consumer demand for the gaming-related services could affect … business.”
Suntrust also noted the proliferation of casino complexes “elsewhere in Asia”. Integrated resorts with gaming are to open in the United Arab Emirates in 2027 and Japan in 2030.
Global design firm Arcadis has confirmed that Suntrust Resort Holdings’ Westside City resort in the Philippines is nearing completion, with a projected opening in late 2026.