Suntrust Resort Holdings, the Philippine-listed subsidiary of Hong Kong’s LET Group Holdings, is set to open its integrated resort in Westside City, Manila, in the third quarter of 2026.
The PHP73 billion (US$1.25 billion) development began construction in 2019 with an initial target opening in 2022, but progress was delayed by several global disruptions, including the Covid-19 pandemic, according to design and engineering firm Arcadis. The resort was most recently expected to open by the end of 2025.
In a statement released Wednesday, Arcadis confirmed that the project is now 75% complete. Project Director Joseph Atabug described the resort as a “landmark development” that is “on the brink of completion, having overcome unprecedented challenges.” He added that Westside City is expected to deliver “results beyond expectations” once it officially opens.
Partnership of Suntrust, Travellers
Westside City covers 31 hectares (310,000 square meters) within Manila’s Entertainment City casino zone, an area that already features three major integrated resorts: Solaire, Okada Manila, and City of Dreams. All are located in Parañaque City, just a 10-minute drive from Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
The upcoming resort will feature three hotel towers offering over 2,500 rooms, along with a spa and wellness center, a 3,000-seat performance theater, and extensive meeting and convention facilities. Its casino will include more than 2,000 slot machines and gaming tables catering to both mass-market and VIP guests.
Westside City is a joint venture between Suntrust Resort Holdings and Travellers International Hotel Group, the developer and operator of Newport World Resorts in Metro Manila. According to the Manila Standard, Travellers took over development of the project in September, promoting it as the “Broadway of Asia.”
“Westside City is more than just a destination—it represents a celebration of Filipino talent and world-class entertainment,” said Travellers Chairman Kevin Tan. “Our goal is to create a global stage that showcases local excellence.”
Turbulent markets, growing competition
In previous statements, Suntrust has admitted that its casino could face strong competition within the Philippines. The company also recognized that its performance may be influenced by “economic downturns, market uncertainty, and other factors affecting discretionary consumer spending.”
“Competition in the Philippines is expected to be intense, as several integrated resort-casino projects are already approved or in operation,” Suntrust said. “Entertainment City continues to evolve as a casino hub, and rising competitive pressures in the local gaming sector could impact the main hotel casino’s business, financial health, and overall results. Any decline in consumer demand for gaming services may adversely affect operations.”
The company further pointed out that new casino developments are emerging across Asia, with integrated resorts scheduled to open in the United Arab Emirates by 2027 and in Japan by 2030.
