Arcadis Concludes Role in $1.25B Westside City Casino Development

Arcadis Philippines Inc. has formally wrapped up its consulting responsibilities for the $1.25 billion Westside City integrated casino in Parañaque’s Entertainment City, Philippines, marking the end of a five-year engagement that spanned one of the most turbulent construction periods in recent history.

Since May 2020, Arcadis has provided cost, commercial, and project management services on the development, which is being positioned as a centerpiece of the Philippines’ gaming and tourism sector. By the time its work concluded in 2025, the project had reached 75% completion, with major elements finished and prepared for turnover to a new project management team under the casino’s revised ownership.

Arcadis’ Contributions and Achievements

Arcadis emphasized that its involvement was instrumental in keeping the project on track during the COVID-19 pandemic and in the face of shifting safety standards. The firm deployed advanced tools such as Building Information Modeling (BIM) and real-time project dashboards, while also maintaining rigorous quality and safety controls.

According to Arcadis, the engagement delivered a series of milestones: piling work was completed in late 2020, shell and core structures were topped off by May 2023, and façade installation achieved watertightness by September of that year. A steel skybridge was put in place in September 2023, while in January 2024 the project logged 15 million safe man hours. In May 2024, it received fire safety certification from the Bureau of Fire Protection. By 2025, substantial completion of the casino floor, atrium, dining spaces, and back-of-house areas allowed the project to transition toward its final stages.

Joseph Atabug, Arcadis Philippines’ project director, reflected on the firm’s work in a press release: “Together, we have brought this landmark development in Parañaque to the brink of completion, overcoming unprecedented challenges along the way. This project tested the boundaries of what’s possible in our industry, requiring us to adapt, innovate, and achieve results beyond expectations.”

Cost & Commercial Project Director Darren Winlaw added: “From the commencement of Arcadis services in 2020 through the most difficult times, we have been able to provide both local knowledge and global expertise to help overcome the many challenges. Key to this success has been clear communication and understanding of our client’s vision and approach to achieving the desired results.”

Transition to New Ownership and Next Phase

The Westside City project is now led by Travellers International Hotel Group Inc., operator of Newport World Resorts, and Suntrust Resort Holdings Inc. Suntrust recently acquired a 40% stake in Westside Bayshore Holding Corporation, which oversees the development through subsidiary Entertainment City Resorts Corp. Both Travellers and Suntrust have pledged to inject up to $450 million in fresh capital to finish construction.

Travellers president and CEO Nilo Thaddeus Rodriguez confirmed in September that “the $1.25 billion Westside City development is now full speed ahead,” while acknowledging that additional investment will be necessary to complete the resort.

The casino, originally slated for earlier opening dates, is now targeting the third quarter of 2026 after approval of a revised Project Implementation Plan by PAGCOR.

Once operational, Westside City is expected to complement other large integrated resorts in Entertainment City such as Solaire Resort, City of Dreams Manila, and Okada Manila. It will feature luxury accommodations, entertainment venues, retail spaces, and a large-scale casino operation. The project is forecast to generate thousands of jobs and help position the Philippines as one of Asia’s premier gaming and hospitality destinations.

Suntrust construction director Alex Chan noted: “By collaborating with Arcadis professional teams under different regional offices in Macau, Hong Kong, and Manila, they delivered one-stop solution services throughout different project stages. The variety of services and geography offices supported the client to effectively manage project progress ahead even during the pandemic and lockdown period.”

Although Arcadis has completed its 64-month consulting role, its leadership in safety, risk management, and cost efficiency leaves a lasting foundation for the final stages of construction. The coming months will be defined by the new ownership team’s efforts to push the resort to completion and deliver one of Entertainment City’s most ambitious projects to date.