Macau’s notorious ultra‑luxury property, The 13 Hotel, has finally found a buyer. The 22‑storey, 199‑room property in Seac Pai Van, Coloane, was sold for HK$600 million (US$76 million)—a steep discount from its original HK$2.4 billion valuation. This marks the SAR’s first hotel sale since 2017 and signals renewed investor confidence in Macau’s post-pandemic tourism rebound.

New Owner: Visionary with Deep Pockets

Property specialists JLL confirmed the buyer is a Macau-based investor with a strong background in international real estate and hospitality management. Mark Wong, JLL’s Macau Director, stated the new owner “plans to redesign and renovate the project to create a new tourist landmark” by introducing “world-renowned restaurants from around the world” to refresh the property’s appeal.

Major Renovation & Investment Ahead

According to Savills, the buyer intends to inject an additional HK$200–300 million (US$25–38 million) into both interior and exterior enhancements. The goal is to fuse “French palace aesthetics with non-gaming elements” and create unique leisure and entertainment experiences. Savills Managing Director Franco Liu expressed optimism, noting the redevelopment aims to “provide visitors to Macau with a unique new accommodation experience while enriching the city’s non-gaming offerings”.

From Mega-VIP Casino Flop to Tourism Hub

The 13 was initially conceived by Stephen Hung as a palatial VIP casino resort featuring 66 gaming tables. However, persistent delays, mounting regulatory challenges, and a changing VIP gambling environment led to the property’s partial opening in 2018—with no casino and many unfinished rooms. Bankruptcy followed, and under its current ownership by Bank of Communications (Macau branch), JLL relaunched the hotel in 2024, earning a renewed five‑star license through 2025. Nevertheless, its appeal remained limited: by mid‑2024, both restaurants remained closed and occupancy lagged.

Renewal Tied to Macau’s Diversification Push

This transaction arrives amid Macau's ongoing shift toward diversified tourism—beyond gaming. With mass‑market leisure, non‑gaming entertainment, and cultural attractions gaining focus, revitalising The 13 could signal broader investor interest. The redevelopment aligns well with Macau's vision home-grown by large operators like Wynn and Sands, adding yet another layer of non-gaming appeal to the Cotai Strip.

What to Expect Going Forward

• The buyer’s detailed plans are forthcoming, but they aim for a complete repositioning of the brand—possibly relaunching it as a boutique, non-gaming luxury resort.

• With additional F&B venues, unique leisure features, and design upgrades, The 13 could potentially slot into Macau’s burgeoning appeal to non-gaming tourists and leisure-heavy travel.

• The soft reopening in 2024 showed limited traction. The new owner will need intensive marketing, targeted experiences, and world-class guest services to capture both regional and global visitors.