Universal Entertainment Corp says affiliate now planning to develop land near Okada Manila following collapsed sale

Friday, March 24, 2023 3:10 PM
  • Philippines
  • Ben Blaschke, Inside Asian Gaming

Japan’s Universal Entertainment Corp (UEC) said Thursday that an equity-method affiliate that owns a 9.4-hectare parcel of land alongside its Philippines integrated resort Okada Manila now plans to develop the land following the collapse of a previously agreed sale.

The update came as UEC revealed it has cancelled a lease on 6.1 hectares of the land in question, owned by Eagle I Landholdings Inc, with the cost saving estimated to see the company’s net income for FY23 double to JPY20 billion (US$153 million). UEC holds a 40% equity share in Eagle I Landholdings.

While it did not reveal details of the planned development, UEC had previously been pursuing a sale of the land parcel to parties it expected to develop major international hotel brands – effectively boosting nearby room capacity for Okada Manila.