Wynn Al Marjan Island, set to become the first integrated casino resort in the United Arab Emirates, is on track to open in spring 2027. As preparations move forward, the resort has revealed that it will feature a curated fine art gallery, with pieces drawn from Wynn Resorts’ global collection.
Steve Wynn—founder of the company—was one of the early Las Vegas visionaries to pair casino entertainment with high-end art. The Bellagio Gallery has showcased works by renowned artists such as Picasso, Van Gogh, Monet, and Edvard Munch. Wynn’s private collection also includes creations by Henri Matisse, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Andy Warhol, and Roy Lichtenstein.
Art and artifacts in a luxury setting
The art exhibition at Wynn Al Marjan Island will go beyond traditional paintings. The collection will feature a 17th-century tapestry, a rare set of four 18th-century Buccleuch vases, and a Victorian-era cut-glass console. One of the standout pieces is expected to be a partial triceratops skull estimated to be 66 million years old.
“Wynn Al Marjan Island’s approach to art goes far beyond acquisition,” said Todd-Avery Lenahan, president of Wynn Design & Development. “Beauty is a universal language. By weaving art into the resort’s overall environment, we invite guests to encounter these works in a relaxed, meaningful, and engaging way.”
Guest rooms will also showcase pieces by contemporary artists from the region, including Algerian artist Faiza Maghni. As Lenahan told The National News, “Every artwork carries intention—nothing is done casually, and nothing is placed purely for decoration. Each piece, whether in a guest room or a public area, has been commissioned specifically for its place within the resort.”
“We are not just collectors; we are patrons,” he added. “A resort of this level serves as a home for both celebrated artists and rising talents.”
Targeting high-value fly-in patrons
The $5.1 billion integrated resort is designed to attract local guests, international travelers, and high-end VIPs who already frequent Wynn properties in Las Vegas and Macau.
In a March interview with CNBC, Wynn Resorts CEO Craig Billings described Al Marjan as “the best development project in the industry.” He noted that analysts estimate potential gaming revenue at “$5 billion to $8 billion,” adding, “For comparison, the Las Vegas Strip generates just over $6 billion. That shows how significant this market could be.”
Billings said the resort’s catchment area “is probably larger than any other project we’ve done—perhaps comparable to Las Vegas.” Europe will be a key source market for the UAE, he added, while India represents “a major market with substantial wealth.” Other parts of Asia are also strong contributors. “It’s an exciting project,” he said. The resort will also benefit from its prime location, less than an hour from Dubai International Airport.
Wynn Al Marjan Island will feature the UAE’s first casino along with approximately 1,200 rooms, 297 suites, 10 marina estates, and two “royal apartments.” The Ras Al Khaimah development will also offer 22 dining outlets, a private Arabian Gulf beachfront, 12 swimming pools, and a deep-water marina built to accommodate superyachts.
Topping-out ceremony overdue
In its latest project update, Wynn announced that construction of the 70-story tower is approaching completion, with exterior work “moving ahead quickly.” The company reported that more than 19,000 of the planned 26,000 interior façade panels have already been installed.
Wynn added that “combined concrete and steel work across the resort’s low-rise buildings is now 97% finished,” noting that exterior cladding, interior fit-outs, and the installation of elevators and escalators are all making steady progress. Despite this momentum, the topping-out ceremony originally anticipated for late November has not yet occurred.
