Macau v Las Vegas, Gambling hotspots architecture, Casino buildings design comparison

Macau Vs Las Vegas

International Architectural Design Article

29 Apr 2019

Macau Vs Las Vegas: Comparing The Architecture Of Two Gambling Hotspots

Nowadays it is safe to assume that most of us would be more familiar with gambling online. Technological advances have it possible for near enough anyone to spin the reels of their favourite slot games online or sit around a virtual table to play blackjack at renowned brands like PartyCasino. However, the lure of a real live land-based casino in places like Vegas or Macau is still extremely appealing.

Macau buildings – Grand Lisboa Casino hotel, at the northern-end of the Macau-Taipa Bridge, designed by architects Dennis Lau and Ng Chun Man, Hong Kong:

Macau versus Las Vegas Gaming

When one mentions Las Vegas to anyone, we will instantly think of glitz, glamour and gaming. Vegas well and truly managed to establish itself as the gambling and gaming capital of the world, with people heading there on holiday to experience everything it has to offer. However, while there have been many Vegas imitators, Macau has managed to really deliver, and is often referred to as Asia’s Playground or the Las Vegas of the East.

Due to the rise of Macau as one of the world’s finest gambling locations, it has inevitably led to a lot of comparisons being drawn with Las Vegas, often surrounding the gaming that’s on offer. However, it’s the architecture of the two places that we feel is most interesting, especially when you compare how each gambling hub does it.

One of the first things to note about the architecture in Vegas is that they have well and truly mastered reinvention. Vegas can’t afford to stand still, especially with the competition it faces around the world from places such as Macau, and this applies to architecture as much as anything. Therefore, the architecture in Vegas, especially on the Strip, will be seen to move with the time. It’s already gone through phases of suburbanisation and the space age.

Furthermore, it is the architecture of Vegas which holds a strong appeal to many, especially as there seems to be an ongoing battle to see who can create the finest hotels, of which nineteen of the world’s largest are based on the strip, as well as the most iconic architecture. The Flamingo Hotel sports Art Deco architecture which dates back to the 1940s, while The Bellagio saw $1.6 billion ploughed into it to create one of the most iconic places on the planet.

You’d probably describe the Vegas architecture as rich and extravagant, but the architecture of Macau would be better described as unique and daring. The Grand Lisboa is recognised as one of Macau’s mega casinos, in more ways than one, with the lobby of this casino telling its own story. The lobby is ornately decorated and sports a collection of fine art, with the Grand Lisboa architecture screaming opulence.

Macau visitors will also notice that the structures have been designed to suit different demographics too, with the aesthetics therefore differing. Using City of Dreams as the perfect example, this place is all about design. It sports a glass-clad exterior, but on the inside it’s dark and sleek. This sees it differ from a lot of other venues in the area, and it therefore stands amongst the crowd.

What you’ll also find when it comes to the architecture in Macau is that it does a great job of transporting the people inside to another place in the world. They’re often designed to give visitors the feeling and experience that they’re in a Las Vegas casino on the Strip but with a twist, which tells its own story when you compare the two locations.

What is the biggest casino in Macau?