In just a couple of hours now Galaxy Entertainment Group (GEG) will unveil their much anticipated Cotai projects with a grand opening on Wednesday May 27th (GMT+8). More significant than many previous openings in Macau, this marks the first major expenditure into the non-gaming realm for the city other than simply hotels connected to casinos.

With the opening of Galaxy Macau Phase II, 250 suites will become available at the Ritz Carlton and the JW Marriott will offer over 1,000 new rooms bringing the total for the complex to about 4,000 rooms. Broadway Macau adds 320 5-star guestrooms and suites. The properties are linked by an air conditioned bridge. Already opened in Phase I were the Banyan Tree Macau, Hotel Okura Macau and Galaxy Macau hotels.

One of the most exciting additions is the Promenade Central shopping zone connecting the two phases of development with more than 200 individual shops. Over 40 restaurants are to open at Broadway which features the first hawker street market concept in the area. Dining offers will range from quick bites from entertaining vendors to high end Asian cuisine including Michelin-star rated restaurants and venues for Ba Shan, Du Hsiao Yueh, and Upper One.

GEG has set their focus on the mass market with the two new openings. Broadway Macau features a 3,000 seat theater and Galaxy offers a roof top wave pool available only to hotel guests that offers family friendly entertainment. Reports indicate that visitors can stroll through the retail area and never even see a slot machine or gaming table.

Although many analysts hope for more, the properties seem fortunate to have received an allocation for 150 new gaming tables, bringing the total count to 700 between Galaxy and Broadway. Some 250 tables are expected to be used for VIP gaming.

The GEG investment in the former Grand Waldo complex is over HK$5 billion bringing their total investment in Galaxy and Broadway to about HK$43 billion of some HK$100 billion planned.

GEG said in a press release. “It is the first major resort opening in Macau since 2012, marking a new milestone for the city. It also underlines the group’s commitment to helping the territory to fulfill its potential as a ‘World Center of Tourism and Leisure’, to nurture local talent and to promote local culture.”