Cipriani group postpones opening of its casino in Punta del Este
The Cipriani Group confirmed that it will have to postpone the opening of the San Rafael hotel-casino in Punta del Este once again. Its inauguration had been announced for December 15, 2026, but it will ultimately not open during the upcoming summer season due to accumulated delays in the execution of the works. The company reported that its new goal is to open during the 2027-2028 season, a date it described as non-negotiable. In recent weeks, the group held discussions with national and departmental authorities, representatives of the National Single Union of Construction and Annexes, workers, and other project stakeholders to try to recover the original schedule, without success.
According to Cipriani, construction deadlines were extended due to various circumstances, including the pandemic, approval processes, and other factors associated with a large-scale project, a situation further complicated by recent differences between the construction company Criba and the union regarding the progress of the works. The postponement will also impact commitments already made for the opening, as the company will have to reschedule reservations, contracted shows, international events, and other activities planned for the complex.
One of the main challenges arising from the new delay will be the impact on workers who were preparing to join the project. Since February, more than 300 young people have been training at the Cipriani Academy, receiving hospitality and gastronomy training from foreign specialists, with the aim of joining the complex once operations begin. Once operational, the project is expected to generate more than 1,000 jobs across the hotel, restaurants, and casino. Given the postponement, the group assured that it is evaluating alternatives to provide employment to the young people in training and other workers involved in preparatory tasks, in addition to maintaining the necessary positions during the continuation of the works.
Cipriani reported that it has so far invested approximately 250 million dollars in the San Rafael project and another 45 million in the purchase and renovation of the building where the academy operates, the former Mantra hotel, with a cumulative investment of about 295 million. It stated that keeping the complex closed while it cannot begin its commercial activity entails high costs. The announcement represents another change in the schedule, as in June the group had confirmed the opening for December 15, 2026, in parallel with the training of 126 young people selected as croupiers, with a casino projected to have more than 300 gaming stations. Construction of the complex began in January 2023, and its first phase will include a casino with a restaurant, bar, and VIP lounge, an event space, and a beach club, along with a wide range of amenities and a residential project with two to five-bedroom units that will be added in later stages.
Tags: Cipriani Group, San Rafael hotel-casino, Cipriani Academy, Punta del Este