Nustar Resort and Casino
{{Short description|Integrated resort and casino facility on Kawit Point, Cebu City, Philippines}}
{{Infobox casino
| name = Nustar Resort and Casino
| logo =
| logo_caption =
| image = Nustar - SM Seaside in Cebu - phtoo Bart Sakwerda 2023-05.jpg
| caption =
| pushpin_map = Metro Cebu
| pushpin_mapsize =
| pushpin_map_alt = Map showing location of NUSTAR Resort & Casino within Metro Cebu
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Metro Cebu
| pushpin_label_position = right
| coordinates = {{Coord|10.27123|N|123.88096|E|format=dms|display=inline, title|region:PH_type:landmark}}
| location = Cebu City, Philippines
| address = Kawit Point, South Road Properties, Cebu City, Philippines
| date_opened = {{start date|2022|5}}
| theme =
| rooms = Fili: 379
NUSTAR Hotel: TBA
Grand Summit Hotel: TBA
| space_gaming = {{convert|21000|m2|sqft|abbr=on}}
| shows =
| attractions =
| notable_restaurants = {{hlist|Il Primo Steakhouse|Mott 32|Fina|Xin Tian Di}}
| casino_type = Land-based
| owner = Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc.
Cebu City Government
| license_holder = Universal Hotels and Resorts, Inc.
| architect = ASYA Design
| names_pre = Isla dela Victoria
| renovations =
| website = {{url|nustar.ph}}
| footnotes =
| embedded =
}}
Nustar Resort and Casino (stylized as NUSTAR) is a {{cvt|9|hectare|adj=on}} 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.{{ cite news |date=April 16, 2021 |title=NUSTAR complex in Cebu slated to open 2022: UHRI |url=https://www.ggrasia.com/nustar-complex-in-cebu-slated-to-open-2022-promoter/ |work=GGRAsia |accessdate=December 1, 2021 }}{{ cite news |date=November 29, 2021 |title=Nustar Resort and Casino: Asia's newest landmark destination to rise in Cebu in 2022 |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1914476/Cebu/Lifestyle/Nustar-Resort-and-Casino-Asias-newest-landmark-destination-to-rise-in-Cebu-in-2022 |work=SunStar Philippines |accessdate=December 1, 2021 }}
History
=Development=
File:Isla dela Victoria render.jpg
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.{{ cite news |last1=Mejia |first1=Inna Gian |last2=Bunachita |first2=Jose Santino S. |date=November 8, 2017 |title=P18B INVESTMENT IN SRP'S KAWIT ISLAND |url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/153717/p18b-investment-srps-kawit-island |url-status=live |work=CDN Digital |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924093001/https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/153717/p18b-investment-srps-kawit-island |archive-date=September 24, 2019 |accessdate=September 24, 2019 }} Osmeña proposed the project be named Isla dela Victoria after former Cebu City Bantay Dagat project director Elpidio "Jojo" dela Victoria,{{ cite news |last=Erram |first=Morexette Marie B. |title=ISLA DELA VICTORIA GETS OFF THE GROUND |url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/209188/isla-dela-victoria-gets-off-the-ground |work=Cebu Daily News |date=December 22, 2018 |accessdate=September 19, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190923143228/https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/209188/isla-dela-victoria-gets-off-the-ground |archive-date=September 23, 2019 |url-status=live }} who was murdered outside his home in the city of Talisay on April 12, 2006,{{ cite news |date=April 24, 2006 |title=Thousands pay final tribute to De La Victoria: Jojo laid to rest, fight continues |url=https://www.philstar.com/cebu-news/2006/04/24/333106/thousands-pay-final-tribute-de-la-victoria-jojo-laid-rest-fight-continues |work=The Philippine Star |accessdate=December 1, 2021 }} for his role in the fight against illegal fishing.{{ cite news |date=November 9, 2017 |title=JG Summit Holdings to invest P18B for Kawit Island |url=https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/403933 |accessdate=November 5, 2019 |work=SunStar Philippines |agency=RVC }}
A five-man committee was formed by Cebu City Council to scrutinize the deal's financial, technical, and legal aspects.{{ cite news |last=Demecillo |first=Jean Marvette A. |date=April 16, 2018 |title=Changes sought in Kawit project deal |url=https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2018/04/26/1809611/changes-sought-kawit-project-deal |url-status=live |work=The Freeman |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924112302/https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2018/04/26/1809611/changes-sought-kawit-project-deal |archive-date=September 24, 2019 |accessdate=September 24, 2019 }}{{ cite news |last=Cuizon |first=Razel V. |date=April 26, 2018 |title=4 conditions suggested for Kawit joint venture |url=http://sunstar.com.ph/article/1638265 |url-status=live |work=SunStar Cebu |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429140354/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1638265 |archive-date=April 29, 2018 |accessdate=September 24, 2019 }} A joint venture agreement was signed on August 17, 2018 by Mayor Osmeña and UHRI president Frederick Go.{{ cite news |last1=Abatayo |first1=Rosalie O. |last2=Erram |first2=Morexette Marie B. |date=August 17, 2018 |title=Isla dela Victoria deal inked |url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/189880/isla-dela-victoria-deal-inked |url-status=live |work=CDN Digital |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190924093001/https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/189880/isla-dela-victoria-deal-inked |archive-date=September 24, 2019 |accessdate=September 24, 2019 }}
=Construction=
The project formally broke ground eight days later, on August 25, 2018.{{ cite news |last=Adel |first=Rosette |date=August 20, 2018 |title=Cebu casino to pursue groundbreaking |url=https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2018/08/20/1844332/cebu-casino-pursue-groundbreaking |work=The Freeman |accessdate=December 4, 2021 }} Civil works commenced on the first quarter of 2019.{{ cite news |last=Demecillo |first=Jean Marvette A. |date=December 23, 2018 |title=Resort and Casino at SRP: Construction begins 2019 |url=https://www.philstar.com/the-freeman/cebu-news/2018/12/23/1879279/resort-and-casino-srp-construction-begins-2019 |work=The Freeman |accessdate=December 4, 2021 |quote=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. }} The project would be opened as the Nustar Resort and Casino in May 2022.{{cite news |title=A Recap: Celebrating a year full of firsts at NUSTAR Resort and Casino |url=https://cebudailynews.inquirer.net/507419/a-recap-celebrating-a-year-full-of-firsts-at-nustar-resort-and-casino |access-date=7 July 2023 |work=Cebu Daily News |publisher=Philippine Daily Inquirer |date=5 June 2023 |language=en}}
The Fili Hotel's convention center had its soft opening in April 2022.{{cite news |last1=Garcia |first1=Joseph Emmanuel |title=Fili Hotel’s convention center soft launches this April |url=https://www.bworldonline.com/arts-and-leisure/2023/04/13/516197/fili-hotels-convention-center-soft-launches-this-april/ |access-date=7 July 2023 |work=BusinessWorld |date=12 April 2023}}
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 {{cite news |last1=Reyes |first1=Lai |title=Nustar Resort Cebu: Redefining Cebu City’s foodscape|url= https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/2024/05/23/2357089/nustar-resort-cebu-redefining-cebu-citys-foodscape|accessdate=May 23, 2024 |publisher= The Philippine Star|date=May 23, 2024}}
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.{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Cebu’s NUSTAR Convention Center opens as largest Philippines venue outside Metro Manila|url=https://www.asgam.com/index.php/2023/06/30/cebus-nustar-convention-center-opens-as-largest-philippines-venue-outside-metro-manila/ |accessdate=May 23, 2024 |publisher= asgam.com|date=June 30, 2023}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{Mixed-use developments in the Philippines}}
{{Cebu City}}
Category:Buildings and structures in Cebu City
Category:Landmarks in the Philippines
Category:Mixed-use developments in the Philippines
Category:Resorts in the Philippines
Category:Casino hotels in Cebu City
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