AUSTRALIAN billionaire James Packer has bought a 20 per cent stake in Nobu Hospitality, just as the group is turning its attention on Asia-Pacific for expansion.
Packer’s Crown Hotels & Casino has reportedly paid US$100 million for a 20 per cent stake in Nobu Hospitality, joining a star-studded cast of owners comprising celebrity chef Nobu Matsuhisa, actor Robert de Niro and film producer Meir Teper.
When asked what this development might augur for Nobu Hospitality, CEO Trevor Horwell told TTG Asia e-Daily in an email this morning: “James was quoted that Crown sees an enormous upside in the hotel side of the Nobu business. He has a dynamic international reputation with extensive global relationships which Nobu can tap into, particularly Asia which is an area we want to explore further.
“Also, James stated he wants to further explore adding Nobu Hotels in Crown’s existing locations in Melbourne, Perth and possibly Sydney.”
Crown venues already host three of 35 Nobu restaurants in the world, and one of its nine hotels, the recently-opened Nobu Hotel at City of Dreams Manila.
In an interview at the recent Hotel Investment Conference Asia-Pacific (HICAP) in Hong Kong, Horwell said Nobu Hospitality was keen to establish a flagship in Asia, having done so in the US, followed by Europe and the Middle East.
“We now have 12 hotels opened or opening over the next two years. So now we are looking at Asia and we’ll be selective,” he said, referring to “the right fundamentals” such as psychographics that could support a Nobu hotel and restaurant, as well as the right partners.
No clash of egos – read the View from the Top with Trevor Horwell, TTG Asia, November 2015
