DFS, Best Sunshine may collaborate in Saipan hotel project

DFS Galleria in Saipan—now rebranded as T Galleria Saipan - has been talking to casino developer Best Sunshine about constructing a new $100 million plus hotel in Garapan on Saipan.DFS Group Limited executive vice president for strategy and market development, Lamonte James Beighley, confirmed that DFS and Best Sunshine had had “initial discussions on this potential partnership.”In May 2014, DFS revealed plans to build a 350-room luxury hotel in Garapan, close to the site formerly known as Samoan housing. However, they may need about two hectares of public land for the plan to move forward.DFS is seeking to lease six lots totaling 21,380-square-meters of public land close to the DFS-controlled properties in Garapan to ease access issues to land they already control.The Department of Public Lands has yet to respond to DFS’ request to lease the land. Beighley said DFS had submitted a letter seeking a lease.DFS is talking with possible international partners, and Mr Beighley gave a conservative estimate of “in excess of $100 million” as the price tag for construction.Beighley was on Saipan last weekend, along with DFS Galleria CEO and Chairman Philippe Schaus to launch DFS Galleria’s rebranding.Beighley said he was supportive of Best Sunshine’s plans to develop a casino on Saipan and said he had discussed the project with company executives.  

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