A local development firm has partnered with ESR to build a data center in Nagasaki, Japan, as part of a bid for a resort operating license.
Integrated resorts (IR) are resort properties that often include a mixture of a hotel with a casino, together with the likes of convention facilities, entertainment shows, theme parks, retail, and dining.
NIKI Chyau Fwu (Parkview) Group is one of three candidates to develop an IR in Nagasaki’s Sasebo city.
This week the group said real estate firm ESR will build a data center and distribution center in this region as part of the bid if the consortium obtains an operating license. NIKI said ESR would invest up to $1 billion developing the facilities if the companies will the resort bid.
“The NIKI IR concept as well as the consortium team they have brought together is truly the best in class,” said Stuart Gibson, co-founder and Co-CEO of ESR. “The development would create recreational, hospitality and cultural venues, making it a world class destination for global tourism. This would be a perfect fit with our operations, and we would commit to create a 21st century infrastructure center in the vicinity of their property should they get the license.”
“We are focused on achieving world-class IR that contributes to the revitalization of the local economy and brings long-term benefits to the region,” added Etsuko Oishi, EVP of The NIKI. “Global leaders such as ESR will invest in the Kyushu region. This is an example of how our investment will impact the region beyond IR. We are pleased to be able to contribute to promoting such a large secondary benefit.”
According to reports, The NIKI is an offshoot of NIKI Club, which previously ran NIKI Resort; a now-closed nature resort located in Nasu, Tochigi. Chyau Fwu (Parkview) Group is linked to Taiwanese construction and development company Chyau Fwu.
The Group recently announced a number of local partners including large construction firms had joined its consortium to boost its bid to develop and operate the IR, which would be based on 30 hectares of land next to the Huis Ten Bosch (HTB) theme park.
Named after one of the Dutch royal residences and located on Omura Bay, the HTB theme park opened in 1992 and features full-size recreations of Dutch buildings including a Royal Palace. Up to three resorts could be built on the land.
Casinos Austria and Oshidori International Development (a subsidiary of financial services company Oshidori International Holdings) are the other two companies competing for the bid in Nagasaki. The winning bid is due to be announced at the end of August.
Hong Kong-based logistics real estate company ESR Cayman has made a number of data center investments this year. The company recently bought a building in Hong Kong to convert into a 40MW data center. And in April the firm announced it was buying a data center in Osaka, Japan, which it plans to expand into a 78MW campus.
