[August 3, 2016, Macau] Today, the China Green Building and Energy Saving (Macau) Association (“the Macau Association”) awarded MGM China Holdings Ltd. (2282.HK) two-star certification under the China Green Building (Macau) Design Label for its second resort in Macau, MGM COTAI, set to open in early 2017. MGM COTAI is the largest property in Macau to achieve such certification, and the announcement also marks the first time a private-sector project has ever been recognized by the Macau Association.

“Since we came to Macau, MGM has been committed to sustainable development and being a responsible member of the local community. As we look to the opening of MGM COTAI next year, we are humbled in being recognized by the Macau Association for our commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Mr. Grant Bowie, Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of MGM China Holdings Limited. “This certification is a significant and hard-earned step forward in working toward MGM’s long-term commitment to socially-responsible business, focused on improving the quality of life for our employees and their families, as well as the Macau community and society at large. This recognition is an achievement that sets an incredibly high standard for our industry, and we invite our industry peers to join us in creating a more sustainable Macau.”

Mr. Yin Bo, Director of China Green Building Council, congratulated MGM COTAI on its achievement, "China places green building as part of its national development strategy and the cooperation among nations on the initiative is growing. The outstanding green building concept and techniques of MGM COTAI makes it a pioneer in this aspect, and the award is a testimony to MGM’s dedication in leading Macau and global brands toward a sustainable future by setting examples and promoting green measures.”

Local Approach with Global Significance

By choosing to pursue a locally-developed green building certification, MGM China sought to bring its company’s global vision for green business to life in a manner immediately relevant to Macau. The standards created by the Macau Association have been developed by industry experts and are tailored to this market, ensuring MGM’s approach best meets the needs of Macau’s unique environment and community. The China Green Building (Macau) Label was introduced in 2015 and is an extension of the China Green Building Label, which was established in 2006 by China’s Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development.

“We are excited to see major international hospitality companies like MGM devoting themselves to be environmentally-conscious while providing superior service to the customers. MGM COTAI is one of the properties in Macau showcasing their efforts in contributing to sustainable development,” said Mr. Albert Chuck, president of the Macau Association. “In line with the direction from Macau SAR to construct a green city and to reduce its carbon footprint, energy consumption, and waste, the China Green Building and Energy Saving (Macau) Association is supportive to all sustainable developments. We look forward to more sustainable buildings and constructions in Macau.”                                               

Green from Outside-In

The China Green Building (Macau) Label evaluates projects against six key areas, including: land usage, energy, water, building materials, indoor environmental quality and operations and management. Full details on specific qualification requirements can be found here.

However, the planning, design and construction are only one part of MGM COTAI’s commitment to sustainability. The finished property will also be home to numerous eco design features that holistically tie environmental responsibility in with operations. Specifically, some of these features include:

• Quality of Space: By inviting natural elements into the urban fabric of the Spectacle at the center of the resort, visitors can experience the beauty of nature within an indoor open space, filled with natural daylight and landscape elements, free from nuisance such as noise and air pollution.
• Green Wall: The Spectacle at MGM COTAI will also feature a towering, 500 square-meter green wall, as well as 600 square meters of additional horizontal greenery. Not only aesthetically-pleasing, green walls are also proven to improve air quality, provide a natural cooling effect, boost people’s energy and reduce noise pollution. Further, the green wall will feature an innovative and resource-efficient watering system, ensuring that run-off water that is automatically drip-fed and recycled in a continuous loop.
• Efficient Use of Resources: MGM COTAI will feature one of the most advanced and efficient electricity, water and natural gas service systems. At the core of the property is a system that recovers extraneous energy and reuses it to cool air and water in the resort. This a revolutionary chilling configuration, and one of the first of its kind in Macau.
• Dynamic and Smart: MGM COTAI will feature a dynamic and constantly-evolving building management system that ensures energy efficiency regardless of changing environmental conditions. Examples of this include lights that adjust their brightness based on the time of day and a climate control system that responds automatically to changes in the weather.

 

 

Just the Beginning

“Design and construction are just the beginning for sustainability at MGM COTAI,” added Mr. Bowie. “We will remain committed in the months and years ahead to dedicating resources to a sustainability program that places social and environmental considerations at the forefront of our daily operations and decision making. In doing so, we aim to create a resort destination that is the pride of Macau – one that supports both the local tourism industry and diversified economic growth for the future.”

To commemorate the green building certification of MGM COTAI, MGM China hosted an award ceremony alongside the China Green Building Council, as well as the Macau and Hong Kong Chapters.  The ceremony included the Macau Legislative Councilor, Representatives from the Office for the Development of the Energy Sector (GDSE) of Macau SAR government, Science and Technology Development Fund (FDCT) of Macau SAR government, the Macau Productivity and Technology Transfer Center (CPTTM); as well as industry associations such that are dedicated to furthering best practices and innovation in the field of green building, including the Macau institution of Engineers (AEM), the Macao Institution of Electrical & Mechanical Engineers (AEEMM), and the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE).                                                                                                                        

In June 2016, MGM announced that its original resort in Macau, MGM MACAU, had retained the Gold Status with the Macau Green Hotel Award, the highest distinction presented by the Environmental Protection Bureau (DSPA), together with the Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO). Full details on this recognition can be found here: http://www.dspa.gov.mo/h_index.aspx.

 

About MGM:

MGM is an abbreviation for MGM China Holdings Limited (HKEx: 2282) and is a leading developer, owner and operator of gaming and lodging resorts in the Greater China region. We are the holding company of MGM Grand Paradise, SA which holds one of the six gaming concessions/subconcessions to run casino games in Macau.  MGM Grand Paradise, SA owns and operates MGM MACAU, the award-winning premium integrated resort located on the Macau Peninsula and is developing a second resort, MGM COTAI which is expected to more than double our presence in Macau. 

MGM MACAU is a Forbes Five-Star luxury integrated resort inspired by the arts with every element of the resort infused with creativity and style.  MGM MACAU has approximately 600 guest rooms and suites and boasts a number of distinguishing features, including the architecturally stunning European-inspired Grande Praça, housed under a soaring glass ceiling.  MGM MACAU’s world class facilities include the MGM Art Space, dedicating over 8,000 square feet to display authentic works of art, conference and event facilities, spa, and eight signature restaurants and bars to fulfill any gastronomic craving. Our property is conveniently located on prime waterfront on the Macau Peninsula and is directly connected to the luxury retail shopping complex, One Central.

MGM COTAI, designed as the “jewelry box” of Cotai, plans to offer approximately 1,500 hotel rooms and suites, meeting space, high end spa, retail offerings and food and beverage outlets as well as the first international Mansion at MGM for the ultimate luxury experience. MGM COTAI will offer Asia’s first dynamic theater and a spectacle to wow every guest who steps foot in our resort. MGM COTAI is being developed to drive greater product diversification and bring more advanced and innovative forms of entertainment to Macau as it grows as a global tourist destination. The HK$24billion project is expected to open towards the second quarter of 2017. 

MGM China Holdings Limited is majority owned by MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. 

About China Green Building and Energy Saving (Macau) Association

China Green Building and Energy Saving (Macau) Association is a non-profit organization to promote sustainable development in Macau. Under the guidance from China Green Building Council (CGBC), our association serves as the local chapter of CGBC and administers the processes related to the establishment, publication, implementation, assessment and certification of sustainable buildings in Macau.

Joined with experienced architects, engineers and green building professionals from Macau, China, and overseas, our association facilitates the establishment of Assessment Standard for Green Building (Macau Version) based on the Assessment Standard for Green Building (which is approved by the Ministry of Housing and Urban-Rural Development of the People’s Republic of China and is a national standard in China).

In addition, our association serves as the platform to arrange green building assessment to benchmark the developments and buildings in Macau. The assessment panel is formed by approved assessors from China Green Building Council and us. The assessment result and certification is in accordance with the conclusions and recommendations from the professional assessment panel experts.

Through training and education advancement from China Green Building Council and other chapters, our members can obtain approval to become green building assessors who are eligible to conduct green building assessment in accordance with the assessment standard. The development of green building assessors ensures that all assessments are independent and truthful to the CGBC practice as well as international practice.

Our association also assists in the organization of sustainability education and the collaboration with other green building professionals, experts, and societies to support the government strategic direction of reduction in energy consumption, protection of environment, and development of green buildings.

 

For media enquiries, please contact:    

Irene Wong                                                          

Vice President of Public & Communication Relations

MGM                                                                                                                                                        

Tel: (853) 8802 2822                                                         

Email: irenewong@mgm.mo

 

Karen Lam                                                                                            

Assistant Public Relations Manager                                                 

MGM                                                                                      

Tel: (853) 8802 3801                                                                         

Email: karenlam@mgm.mo                                             

 

Juliana Kung             

Assistant Public Relations Manager                                                 

MGM                                                                              

Tel: (853) 8802 3803                                                                         

Email: julianakung@mgm.mo