The Grand Emperor Hotel in Macau has dismantled the real gold bricks embedded in its signature lobby floor, selling the precious metal for approximately US$13m as bullion prices continue their upward march.
The move marks the end of one of Macau’s more conspicuous displays of opulence. When the hotel opened in 2006, its entrance hall featured a so-called Golden Pathway, with dozens of 1kg gold bars set into the floor, designed to create what its owner described as a “sumptuous and resplendent atmosphere”.
In a regulatory filing last week, parent company Emperor Entertainment Hotel Limited said the recent rally in gold prices had presented a good opportunity to realise value from the asset. The group confirmed it sold gold bricks weighing a total of 79kg for around $12.8m.
The disposal forms part of a broader repositioning of the property. The Grand Emperor ceased casino gaming operations in October 2025 following tighter regulatory controls in Macau’s gambling sector. The company said it is now planning alternative entertainment and leisure uses for the site, with the gold no longer aligned to the hotel’s future theme.
Macau, the only jurisdiction in China where casino gambling is legal, reclaimed its position as the world’s largest gaming market by revenue in 2025. However, the city is under increasing pressure from Beijing to diversify beyond gaming, a shift now visibly reflected even in its most gilded interiors.
