Hakkasan
| Private | |
| Founded | 2001 |
| Headquarters | London, England, U.K. |
Number of locations | Miami, Mumbai, New York City, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, Beverly Hills, Shanghai, Dubai, Doha[1] |
Key people |
Neil Moffitt (CEO) Khadem al-Qubaisi (Former Owner & Chairman) |
| Products | Cantonese fine dining and nightclub |
| Website | Official website |
Hakkasan is the name given to ten restaurants operated by Hakkasan Group, with the brand initially debuting as an upscale, modern Chinese restaurant in the West End of London, England, at Hanway Place. It has since opened branches in Miami, Mumbai, New York City, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, Beverly Hills, Shanghai, Dubai, and Doha.[1] In 2013 the chain opened its first nightclub, in a Las Vegas building that has included performers such as Calvin Harris, Nervo and Tiësto.[2]
History
First restaurant
The original restaurant was created by Louis Law and Alan Yau, also behind the Wagamama Japanese restaurant chain and the newer Yauatcha restaurant, also in London. Designed by the French designer Christian Liaigre, the interior at the original Hakkasan fused modern aesthetics with traditional Chinese motifs.
Expansions
It has opened branches in Miami, Mumbai, New York City, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, Beverly Hills, Shanghai, Dubai, and Doha.[1]
In 2013 Hakkasan formed a strategic partnership with Angel Management Group creating their first nightclub located at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.[3] The five-story 80,000-square-foot (7,400 m2) venue holds close to 7,500 patrons, and has included performers such as Calvin Harris, Nervo and Tiësto.[2] The $100 million, 80,000 square-foot facility was described by Forbes as "the largest of its kind in North America."[4] According to Las Vegas Sun in September 2014, on peak nights the club would commonly see 6,000 to 7,000 partygoers.[5]
In January 2014,[6] Hakkasan purchased Enlightened Hospitality Group in San Diego.[4] Also, in April 2014[7] Hakkasan "partnered with MGM Resorts MGM +4.76% to build non-gaming hotels in a joint venture known as MGM Hakkasan Hospitality,"[4] a hotel management company "that will design, develop and manage luxury nongaming hotels worldwide." The hotels are reported to be under the Bellagio, Hakkasan, MGM Grand and Skylofts brands.[7]
The Light Group acquisitions (2014)
By September 2014,[5] it had been reported that Hakkasan would acquire Morgans Hotel Group’s 90% stake in the Las Vegas-based The Light Group, which operated the nightclubs such as Light and 1 Oak[4] all on MGM Resorts International properties.[8] According to Forbes, "one person close to the negotiations noted that, as part of the deal, Hakkasan would be committing money toward the future improvement of current venues and the development of new properties."[4] Hakkasan's CEO Neil Moffit stated as well in September 2014 that the two companies were "highly complementary businesses, and we intend to assume and maintain the vast majority of The Light Group’s contracts, licenses and events.” [5] The deal was projected to close in January 2016.[7]
In mid-December, the deal was announced to be for $36 million,[5][8] with Hakkasan Group also purchasing The Light Group's "22 nightclubs, day clubs and restaurants,"[8] among them Yellowtail and Fix at the Bellagio.[9] Three Mandalay Bay restaurants were excluded from the deal to continue to be operated by The Light Group, with Morgans Hotel Group retaining interest in those three restaurants,[7] by serving as leaseholder for Kumi, Red Square and Citizens Kitchen.[6] Morgans also took over The Light Group's holdings at the Delano in Miami.[6] After the deal's finalization, Morgan would have the opportunity to purchase a minority stake in The Light Group over the next year and a half.[6]
The deal made Hakkasan "the largest nongambling entertainment enterprise on the Las Vegas Strip,"[8] or as described by the Las Vegas Sun, "Hakkasan is now the largest entertainment and hospitality company operating in Las Vegas that does not provide gaming."[5]
Recent projects (2015)
By the end of 2014, apart from The Light Group purchases, Hakkasan group was operating "eight nightclubs and day clubs and seven restaurant brands worldwide."[8]
Hakkasan has announced plans to open the Omnia nightclub in Las Vegas, as well as the "Searsucker restaurant where PURE used to be at Caesars Palace."[7]
Rankings
The restaurant gained a Michelin star rating in 2003. The British Restaurant magazine released its sixth annual global ranking of the 50 Best Restaurants in April 2008. Hakkasan was rated 19th in the list, with a total of five London restaurants listed.
See also
References
- 1 2 3 http://www.hakkasan.com Official Site
- 1 2 http://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2013/08/14/dj-wars-inside-the-las-vegas-battles-for-top-electronic-music-talent/
- ↑ http://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2013/08/15/hakkasan-evolution-growing-from-las-vegas-megaclub-to-global-lifestyle-brand
- 1 2 3 4 5 Mac, Ryan (December 13, 2014). "Hakkasan To Close Deal For Morgans Hotel-Owned Light Group In Las Vegas Shakeup". Forbes. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Katsilometes, John (September 6, 2014). "Hakkasan's takeover of Light Group is another step toward company's dominance of the Strip". Las Vegas Sun. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
- 1 2 3 4 Scavone, Jason (December 17, 2014). "Hakkasan Ponies Up Nearly $40M to Get Past Light Group's Velvet Ropes". Vegas Seven. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
- 1 2 3 4 5 Brean, Henry (December 16, 2014). "Hakkasan to buy majority of Light Group for $36 million". Las Vegas Review-Journal. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Nightclub Company Hakkasan to Buy The Light Group in $36 Million Deal". Billboard. Associated Press. December 17, 2014. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
- ↑ Prevatt, Mike (December 17, 2014). "Hakkasan steps into the light". Las Vegas Weekly. Retrieved 2015-12-27.
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Hakkasan. |
Coordinates: 51°31′1.9″N 0°7′54.3″W / 51.517194°N 0.131750°W