Nustar Resort and Casino (stylized as NUSTAR) is a 9-hectare (22-acre) integrated resort and casino facility on Kawit Point (formerly Kawit Island), South Road Properties (SRP), Cebu City, Philippines. The project, which includes restaurants, bars, a mall, convention center, casino, park, theater, and at least three hotels, is a joint venture of the Cebu City Government and Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. The project opened partially in 2022.[1][2]
| Nustar Resort and Casino | |
|---|---|
 | |
  Nustar Resort and Casino Location within Metro Cebu | |
| Location | Cebu City, Philippines |
| Address | Kawit Point, South Road Properties, Cebu City, Philippines |
| Opening date | May 2022 |
| No. of rooms | Fili: 379 NUSTAR Hotel: TBA Grand Summit Hotel: TBA |
| Total gaming space | 21,000 m2 (230,000 sq ft) |
| Notable restaurants |
|
| Casino type | Land-based |
| Owner | Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. Cebu City Government |
| Operating license holder | Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. |
| Architect | ASYA Design |
| Previous names | Isla dela Victoria |
| Coordinates | 10°16′16″N 123°52′51″E / 10.27123°N 123.88096°E |
| Website | nustar |
History
editDevelopment
edit
In a press conference on November 7, 2017, Tomas Osmeña, then the mayor of Cebu City, announced that Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. (UHRI), a subsidiary of JG Summit Holdings, had agreed to develop Kawit Point (formerly Kawit Island) in South Road Properties into an integrated resort and casino facility. UHRI would lease the property for 50 years and the city would receive 60% of the annual gross receipts. Osmeña said the project could generate 8,000 jobs and increase the appraisal rates for the lots in the area.[3] Osmeña proposed the project be named Isla dela Victoria after former Cebu City Bantay Dagat project director Elpidio "Jojo" dela Victoria,[4] who was murdered outside his home in the city of Talisay on April 12, 2006,[5] for his role in the fight against illegal fishing.[6]
A five-man committee was formed by Cebu City Council to scrutinize the deal's financial, technical, and legal aspects.[7][8] A joint venture agreement was signed on August 17, 2018 by Mayor Osmeña and UHRI president Frederick Go.[9]
Construction
editThe project formally broke ground eight days later, on August 25, 2018.[10] Civil works commenced on the first quarter of 2019.[11] The project would be opened as the Nustar Resort and Casino in May 2022.[12]
The Fili Hotel's convention center had its soft opening in April 2022.[13]
The Villas of five-star Fili Hotel has outdoor infinity pool, private office, powder room, sauna, gym, and view deck. Chef Martin Rebolledo Jr. and Rolando Macatangay are its executive and pastry chefs, respectively. The Villas has a prime P700,000-a-night suite, among others, awaiting the upcoming six-star Nustar Hotel. Nustar, as a destination includes Nustar Mall, with its “Journey of Flavors,” local and international restaurants, casino and convention center [14]
On June 30, 2023, the NUSTAR Convention Center formally opened as the largest in Visayas and Mindanao. With capacity of 2,000 guests, it has 3 banquet halls, lobby, a pre-function foyer and hallway, open area and bridal lounges. Its 2,449 square meters interior has a 6 meters high ceiling.[15]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ "NUSTAR complex in Cebu slated to open 2022: UHRI". GGRAsia. April 16, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ "Nustar Resort and Casino: Asia's newest landmark destination to rise in Cebu in 2022". SunStar Philippines. November 29, 2021. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ Mejia, Inna Gian; Bunachita, Jose Santino S. (November 8, 2017). "P18B INVESTMENT IN SRP'S KAWIT ISLAND". CDN Digital. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- ^ Erram, Morexette Marie B. (December 22, 2018). "ISLA DELA VICTORIA GETS OFF THE GROUND". Cebu Daily News. Archived from the original on September 23, 2019. Retrieved September 19, 2019.
- ^ "Thousands pay final tribute to De La Victoria: Jojo laid to rest, fight continues". The Philippine Star. April 24, 2006. Retrieved December 1, 2021.
- ^ "JG Summit Holdings to invest P18B for Kawit Island". SunStar Philippines. RVC. November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 5, 2019.
- ^ Demecillo, Jean Marvette A. (April 16, 2018). "Changes sought in Kawit project deal". The Freeman. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- ^ Cuizon, Razel V. (April 26, 2018). "4 conditions suggested for Kawit joint venture". SunStar Cebu. Archived from the original on April 29, 2018. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- ^ Abatayo, Rosalie O.; Erram, Morexette Marie B. (August 17, 2018). "Isla dela Victoria deal inked". CDN Digital. Archived from the original on September 24, 2019. Retrieved September 24, 2019.
- ^ Adel, Rosette (August 20, 2018). "Cebu casino to pursue groundbreaking". The Freeman. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
- ^ Demecillo, Jean Marvette A. (December 23, 2018). "Resort and Casino at SRP: Construction begins 2019". The Freeman. Retrieved December 4, 2021.
Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc. will start civil works on the P18 billion integrated resorts and casino on the nine-hectare Kawit Island at South Road Properties in the first quarter of 2019.
- ^ "A Recap: Celebrating a year full of firsts at NUSTAR Resort and Casino". Cebu Daily News. Philippine Daily Inquirer. 5 June 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ Garcia, Joseph Emmanuel (12 April 2023). "Fili Hotel's convention center soft launches this April". BusinessWorld. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
- ^ Reyes, Lai (May 23, 2024). "Nustar Resort Cebu: Redefining Cebu City's foodscape". The Philippine Star. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
- ^ "Cebu's NUSTAR Convention Center opens as largest Philippines venue outside Metro Manila". asgam.com. June 30, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2024.