Raised in modest conditions in the bustling heart of Macao, Simon Sio's childhood home was nestled in an antiquated edifice, directly facing the city's most opulent lodging at the time, the illustrious Hotel Central. This establishment, which first welcomed guests in 1928, swiftly evolved into a distinguished hub for the elite, including celebrities and dignitaries, throughout the subsequent decades. During the 1960s, the youthful Sio would sneak into this sanctuary of cool air, a luxury not commonly found in the sweltering tenements that encircled it. However, his adventures were cut short when he was ejected one day. "In my naivety, I didn't understand the rules," Sio reminisces. "I pointed at the hotel and vowed to one day make it mine." While countless youngsters globally have uttered such defiant promises, Sio is among the rare few who have actually fulfilled such a pledge. The entrepreneur, now in his 65th year, established his real estate development firm, Lek Hang Group, in 1991. Leaping forward to 2024, Sio could be seen inaugurating the reopening of the venerable Hotel Central, now under his ownership. His acquisition was not driven by animosity but by a desire to revive a fragment of Macao's vanishing heritage, a cause dear to his heart.

In the recent past, Macao has witnessed the relentless emergence of luxurious resort compounds and towering structures. In contrast, the expansive alleys and aged architecture along Avenida de Almeida Ribeiro, endearingly known as San Ma Lo, might seem less captivating today. Yet, when this avenue was first unveiled in 1920, it instantly became the city's most significant artery. Hotel Central, initially named the President Hotel, opened its doors a few years later and became an integral part of the neighborhood's identity. "When we discuss Macao's history, San Ma Lo is indispensable. And when we discuss San Ma Lo, Hotel Central is equally indispensable," Sio asserts. The mint-hued, seven-story edifice was the first in Macao to boast an elevator. In 1932, it pioneered the introduction of a two-story casino within its premises. Its stature grew to eight stories in 1938 and then to eleven in 1942, crowning it as the tallest hotel in the city. However, by the 1960s, with competition on the rise, Hotel Central began to lose its former splendor. "The colossal structure watched over my growth like a wise elder," Sio reflects. "I developed a profound emotional bond with it. At its zenith, it was my beacon. As I matured, witnessing its decline caused me disquiet. To this day, Hotel Central remains the tallest and most expansive building on San Ma Lo. I felt it deserved to reclaim its former grandeur. Thus, I kept vigil for the chance to restore it."

That opportunity presented itself in the 2000s when the hotel's proprietors decided to part with it. In 2016, Sio concluded a protracted seven-year acquisition process, officially becoming the hotel's new proprietor. This marked merely the beginning. Overhauling a structure nearing a century in age is an arduous task, particularly when the additional stories added in the 1930s and 1940s lacked adequate foundational reinforcement. The complexity was compounded by the building's status as a cultural heritage site within the UNESCO-listed historic center, restricting alterations or demolitions to strengthen its foundation. "With nearly a century of existence, the cement's resilience was waning, and it was clearly past its prime," Sio notes. The team explored various proposals based on historical precedents, but none were viable. Ultimately, Sio's team had to devise an innovative piling technique, rigorously testing their design at a construction site in China before commencing work on Hotel Central. The developers also harnessed new materials and technologies, such as digital sketching, to recreate the building's original appearance. "We were pioneers in Macao with our method," Sio states. "Lacking prior experience, we had to invest time in trial and error at every stage...to pause and devise solutions when faced with challenges, to deliberate on how to adapt, before committing to the work." After surmounting numerous obstacles, construction finally commenced in 2019. However, another colossal hurdle soon emerged: the Covid-19 pandemic. Undeterred, the team persevered, and the project reached its peak in 2022. "We are all extremely proud to declare that the project was ultimately successful," Sio shares, highlighting that the restoration cost was approximately 400 million Macanese Pataca (around $50 million), while the total investment hovered around 2.2 billion Macanese Pataca (or approximately $274 million). The revamped Hotel Central now boasts 114 rooms, adorned with a vintage interior design reminiscent of the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. A qipao rental service allows guests to immerse themselves in the hotel's ambiance by donning traditional attire. An exhibition titled "Historical Cultural Corridor" on the ground floor is already accessible to the public. In the pipeline is a compact shopping mall, which will occupy the hotel's first three floors, though a launch date remains unconfirmed. The hotel will also feature a restaurant, a bakery, and a rooftop bar offering panoramic views of Macao's skyline from the top floor. For Sio, the project's significance justifies every investment. "Reflecting on it, projects like Hotel Central are rare on the market, especially those with such a rich historical tapestry," he says. "There's a saying I often share: 'Wealth can create quantity, but it cannot replicate history.'" Sio aspires for Hotel Central to inspire other developers to rejuvenate Macao's historical landmarks and diversify the city's tourism beyond its glamorous casino resorts. "We hope to offer visitors a fresh perspective on Macao: Macao is not just the Cotai strip; it has so much more to offer," he says, referring to an area known for its state-of-the-art casino resorts. Only then, he believes, can Macao ascend to the ranks of a world-class tourist destination. He remains optimistic about Macao's tourism future, especially with the government's financial commitment and collaboration with gaming companies to preserve the city's historical legacy. MGM, which operates two casino hotels in Macao, is reportedly partnering with the government to restore 13 dilapidated buildings in the 35,000-square-meter (378,000 square feet) Barra District, aiming to transform it into an arts and recreation space. "With such concerted efforts, I am confident that we can achieve remarkable results in a relatively short timeframe, so let's wait and see," Sio concludes. "Macao is petite. We cannot expand territorially. We are confined to thirty-three square kilometers... But small can be exquisite. Thus, we must strive for refinement, akin to a jewel."