Macau’s Grand Emperor Hotel sells iconic entrance gold bricks at BD 4.8 million as gold price rises

email: online@newsofbahrain.com

Macau: The operator of Macau’s Grand Emperor Hotel has confirmed the sale of its iconic entrance gold bricks for HK$99.7 million (BD 4.8 million), ending weeks of speculation over their sudden removal from the property.

In a filing to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Wednesday, Emperor Entertainment Hotel Ltd said it had sold 79 kilogrammes of gold bricks that were previously installed as a luxury feature at the hotel’s main entrance. The buyer is the Hong Kong subsidiary of Germany-based precious metals group Heraeus Holding GmbH.

Net proceeds from the sale are estimated at HK$90.2 million (BD 4.35 million) after transaction costs, the company said.

The disappearance of the gold bricks was first noticed by social media users late last month, sparking online debate. At the time, the hotel operator said the removal on January 29 was linked to renovation works.

Installed around two decades ago, the gold pathway became a signature attraction of the Grand Emperor Hotel and was designed to promote its now-defunct Casino Emperor Palace. The satellite casino ceased operations on October 30, 2025, following Macau’s regulatory reforms to phase out satellite casino operations.

Emperor Entertainment Hotel said it is now repositioning the property following the end of gaming activities. The area where the gold bricks were installed is set to undergo renovation and redevelopment, with the company noting that the feature no longer aligns with the hotel’s future theme.

The firm added that elevated gold prices presented an opportunity to unlock value from the asset, while also reducing future security and insurance costs.

Proceeds from the sale will be used to strengthen the company’s financial position and support potential future investments.

For the six months ended September 30, 2025, Emperor Entertainment Hotel reported a 17.7% year-on-year drop in revenue to HK$335.6 million (BD 16.2 million), while its net loss narrowed by about two-thirds to HK$57.4 million (BD 2.77 million).