Depending on your frame of reference, Morpheus is the Greek god of dreams or an action star in the Matrix movie franchise. Either way, the heroic name fits Macau’s newest and most startling hotel tower.
Designed by the late Dame Zaha Hadid in one of the final projects of her career, the futuristic 42-story hotel opened at City of Dreams Macau, a Melco Resorts & Entertainment property, on June 15.
Macau’s latest landmark is unlike any other, and literally turns architecture inside out with its extraordinary steel exoskeleton. The hotel’s massive double towers are joined by curved bridges designed to create “voids” that let the natural light stream in, says ZHA Project Director Viviana Muscettola.
Exterior steel ribbons hug the building, limiting the need for supporting columns within, and allowing for dramatically scaled interior spaces. The structure, equipped with a dozen high-speed glass elevators, was inspired by traditional Chinese jade carving techniques capable of rendering hard minerals into fluid-looking forms.
Muscettola calls the unexpected design approach “a jump into the unknown” that “makes no reference to traditional architectural typologies.”
With more than 770 elegant rooms, suites and villas, the hotel—yes, it’s named for the Greek god, not the superhero—will target premium-mass customers who spend freely at Macau’s casinos without the need for junket investors.
An entire floor is devoted to fine dining, with two restaurants from acclaimed Chef Alain Ducasse of Monaco; a pâtissierie from Pierre Hermé, “the Picasso of pastry;” and a Chinese fine dining establishment, Yi, located in the hotel’s Sky Bridge.
Morpheus also offers a modern art gallery on the 23rd floor; a rooftop sky pool, with 360-degree views of the glittering Cotai Strip; a deluxe spa; and a 12,000-square-foot
luxury retail area. VIP guests may call on dedicated personal butlers, 24 hours a day. The property, targeted to the elite premium-mass customer, also offers 40 gaming tables.
In 2012, when the hotel project was in its infancy, Melco Chairman and CEO Lawrence Ho said he wanted “the most iconic architect” to create something “just insane” at City of Dreams. Hadid, the first woman ever to win the prestigious Pritzker Prize for architecture, certainly delivered.
“Morpheus is truly an architectural icon, not just for Macau but for Asia,” said Ho at the hotel’s grand opening. “We wanted to send a love letter to China and Macau, given all the support and the great business and relationships we’ve had over the years.”
Due to a 3 percent cap on new gaming tables in the jurisdiction, Melco reallocated 40 tables to Morpheus for the hotel’s debut. Even without new gaming capacity, Morpheus could still contribute up to 40 percent in revenue growth for City of Dreams, according to analyst Grant Govertsen of Union Gaming Asia Securities Ltd.
Ho feels certain that the resort will get additional tables in 2019. “We have a great relationship with the Macau government. We’re confident.”
As Dame Hadid’s only Macau project—it was completed after her death in 2016—Morpheus will stand as a bold tribute to her vision, and Melco’s.
OWNER: Melco Entertainment
ARCHITECT: Zaha Hadid Architects
DESIGNERS: Zaha Hadid and Patrik Schumacher
EXECUTIVE ARCHITECT: Leigh & Orange of Hong Kong
INTERIOR DESIGN: Remedios Studio of Hong Kong
ACCOMMODATIONS: 591 rooms, 181 suites and nine villas
INVESTMENT: $1.1 billion
