Macau is one of China’s two special administrative regions and, together with Hong Kong, stands out for its specific role in the Portuguese and British colonial past. Although today Macau is under Chinese sovereignty, the Portuguese influence is still noticeable. The most distinctive symbol of the region is the Grand Lisboa, which is the tallest building in the region. What’s more, the complex houses a hotel, restaurants and a casino.
The Grand Lisboa complex was built in 2007 on the initiative of the local casino monopoly. Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau wanted to create a showpiece for Macau that would amaze the world with its opulence. For this reason, the 261 m tall skyscraper stands out with its golden-coloured glass and remarkable shape reminiscent of a lotus flower. The plant is featured in Macau’s flag and emblem, further emphasising the distinctiveness of the region. The shape of the building can also be interpreted as the feathers worn by a Brazilian dancer during Carnival. Unlike many other former European colonies, Macau tries to emphasise its connection with Portuguese culture at every turn.
Golden lotus
Dennis Lau and Ng Chun Man’s design called for a hotel tower capable of accommodating 650 rooms and several restaurants. The second part of the complex consists of a casino ‘enclosed’ in an oval building resembling a Fabergé egg. The façade of the casino consists of more than 5,600 panels of glass arranged in patterns referring to the famous goldsmith’s works. The glass was additionally coated with a thin layer of titanium and other metals. LEDs glowing in more than 16,000 colours were also laid between the panels. Interestingly, the glass of the hotel tower was covered with a layer of gold.
The interior of the hotel and casino is the height of early 21st century luxury. Crystal chandeliers, gold columns and precious floors are meant to exude opulence. Architect Khuan Chew has sought to combine modern luxury with traditional Chinese design punctuated by fine details. The patterns are particularly noticeable on the lamps and chandeliers.
The wealth of the owners has been directly displayed, not least in the form of interior design. Behind the showcase, the casino features The Star of Stanley Ho diamond, which is the largest cushion-cut diamond. The stone weighs as much as 218 kt and, according to its owner, is meant to symbolise “boundless dedication to the citizens of Macau”. Stanley Ho’s company cannot be denied financial resourcefulness, but it is difficult to see how tying an entire region to gambling has improved the lives of its residents.
At the top of the skyscraper is a restaurant with a glass dome. Robuchon au Dôme is a three-Michelin-starred establishment that was named Asia’s best restaurant according to Miele in 2013. Award-winning chef Joël Robuchon serves French cuisine there. The most interesting object in the restaurant is a chandelier made of 131,500 Swarovski crystals and luxury lamps by the French company Baccarat.
An infamous tradition
In the 19th century, Macau enjoyed considerable autonomy from the Portuguese authorities. The liberal approach to legislation in the region contributed to the establishment of numerous casinos. The Portuguese wanted much more revenue, so the authorities introduced a casino licence. Thus, the Chinese, together with European merchants, began to play Fan-tan against each other. The simple game with a board was operated by a dealer, making it very popular. Despite the unethical nature of gambling, the region was unfortunately flooded by more and more casinos.
The casino market became monopolised through the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau, founded by Chinese-Portuguese businessman Stanley Ho. By the 1960s, the colony had become something of the Las Vegas of Asia. The lucrative gambling market contributed to increased transport between Hong Kong and Macau.
In the late 1980s, the Portuguese began the slow process of withdrawing from most of their colonies. The next decade also saw the arrival of Macao, which was one of the Europeans’ most valuable overseas assets. Moreover, the perverse 1990s proved to be a decade of fighting between gambling magnates and Chinese gangs. This rivalry was not without its fatalities either. Fortunately, the situation was brought under control with the handover of the region to China in 1999.
Landmark
However, China’s new sovereignty did not take away the region’s specific legislation, allowing casinos to continue to thrive. Today, Macau is the most densely populated region in the world with its own currency, linguistic distinctiveness and administrative system.
The Grand Lisboa is also a landmark. The hotel building is visible from almost every corner of the city centre. The golden lotus is, of sorts, a tribute to the gambling history of the former Portuguese colony. Certainly, some will accuse the Grand Lisboa of being kitsch and unethical associated with a casino. This is, of course, a legitimate accusation given the dangerous nature of gambling. However, it is important to remember the long-standing tradition of this infamous activity in Macau.
Source: The Beat
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