PHILIPSBURG - The Atlantis Group inaugurated its Starz City concept and celebrated the rebranding of Atlantis Casino to Starz Casino on Friday.

 

The rebranding of the casino marks the "first step" of a bigger project that will include a hotel and commercial centre.

 

A large cross section of the community, including several dignitaries, attended the inauguration of Starz City. Atlantis World Group owner Francesco Corallo told The Daily Herald during the inauguration that plans were afoot to construct a 120-room hotel and commercial centre in the area.

 

"We have to upgrade our product and that is what I try to do myself with my small environment," Corallo said in a brief interview. "This is a first step of a bigger project. Coming soon will be a hotel and commercial centre. We have to upgrade our product.

 

"I have been here since I was under 17 years old," he said, adding "St.Maarten is my place and I hope to give a little contribution to upgrade this product."

 

The project is expected to get off the ground in September and to take about a year to be completed.

 

An Atlantis official told guests the facility had "renewed" itself to take St. Maarten's entertainment centre to a higher level. "We produce and offer entertainment and ... our sector, like any other sector, provides and shares in the success of St. Maarten as a tourist destination.

 

"Like any other normal, professional and successful business, constant improvement and renewal of its services are essential to its continued success and for the continued success of St. Maarten's tourism industry and St. Maarten as a whole. And that's what we are doing today. We have improved and renewed ourselves for the purpose of bringing our and St. Maarten's entertainment product to a higher level.

 

"Entertainment is what we have done in 25 years and it's what we do today; it's what we will do tomorrow and this is what we are offering you tonight as we celebrate the introduction of our new Starz City concept."

 

Establishments located in Starz City include Basilico International restaurant, Thai Savanh, Temptation, The Delight Restaurant and Tapas Bar, Equinox, Blue Fin, Shak Eat, Callaloo Bar and News Café.

 

The inauguration featured guests being treated to food and cocktails provided by the restaurants and bars in Starz City as well as entertainment by Groupo Niche salsa group.

 

A number of dignitaries attended the event, including United People's (UP) party leader Member of Parliament (MP) Theo Heyliger, UP MPs Silvio Matser and Franklin Meyers, and independent MPs Frans Richardson and Cornelius de Weever.

 

The Daily Herald