It’s a bit of a gamble really: opening a $16.3 billion mega entertainment complex as the financial world implodes around us. Then again, when it comes to casinos, the rules of economics tend not to apply. We know the house always wins, but still can’t resist the punt. Neither are we able to sensibly quit whilst we’re ahead, convinced we’ll beat the laws of probability. Until of course we lose it all on black. In which case, we’ll still zombie back over to the ATM.

But quite frankly, the opening of City of Dreams might be exactly what the doctor ordered. A leviathan that comprises 420,000 sq ft of gaming space alone, its sheer existence is built on human irrationality. And right now, as we tire of the doom and gloom headlines – and perhaps of taking life too seriously – we more than ever need an outlet for fun. The City of Dreams gives us this, and, with its four imposing towers, is a great big slap in the face to those who proclaimed the age of risk was dead.

A further reassurance for the project’s financial backers (Melco Crown Entertainment) is that Macau has always been an exemplary case of the old adage, “If you build it, they will come”. Apart from a recent slump, visitor numbers have consistently kept up with the increase in new hotel rooms. It’s not just money at stake though, but also egos. The City of Dreams is the co-brainchild of Stanley Ho’s son, Lawrence, and Australian tycoon James Packer, son of media magnate Kerry. As successful businessmen in their own right, their careers are still overshadowed by those of their fathers. The City of Dreams is a step towards redressing that imbalance.

They weren’t embellishing either when they used the term ‘city’. The integrated complex boasts four choices for check-in, comprising a total of over 2,000 rooms. There’s the opulent and refined Crown Towers, edgy and hip Hard Rock, and the soon to open Grand Hyatt. Dining options are just as varied, including the Cantonese-themed Lung Hin Restaurant, headed by the Michelin-starred Chef Tam; the Food Colosseum – a made to order buffet feast; and Yo! Noodles, which features Asian favourites such as Hainan Chicken, ramen, and la mian. As a ‘City’ that never sleeps, two out of its five bars (Flame and City) are open 24/7.

Meanwhile, ‘The Boulevard’ is the City’s shopping district. A plethora of international luxury brands predominate, with all the familiar names from Alfred Dunhill to Valentino on hand. In 2010, The City of Dreams will unveil its very theatrical spectacular, to rival the Cirque du Soleil across the street, in the 2,000-seat Dragon Theatre. A second theatre, The Bubble, will also offer unique “immersive” shows within a dome-shaped space.

On June 1, the executives behind this project, which has been five year in the making, finally breathed a collective sigh of relief. Delivered on time and on budget, it opened its doors to fanfare and fireworks. Since its conception, Melco has worked hard to make the complex live up to its name. Time will judge if it is the stuff dreams are made of.

Jillian Xin