Work restarted after an agreement with CRIBA, with construction targeted for completion in April or May 2027
The new timetable pushes the resort’s opening into the 2027/28 summer season and extends the wait for its privately operated casino.
Construction has resumed at the Cipriani Ocean Resort, Residences & Casino on the former Hotel San Rafael site in Punta del Este.
Work had stopped following contractual differences between Grupo Cipriani and main contractor CRIBA. The two companies subsequently reached an agreement, allowing employees to return to the site.
Giuseppe Cipriani said 400 construction workers had entered the project when activity restarted. Other local reports indicated that approximately 600 to 650 employees could return as the work programme gathers pace.
Opening scheduled for October 2027
Cipriani expects construction to be completed between April and May 2027, followed by the resort’s opening on 1 October.
The schedule replaces earlier plans to begin operating during the 2026/27 summer season.
The development includes a luxury hotel, private residences, a casino, restaurants, commercial areas, a convention centre, entertainment facilities and other amenities.
Its casino forms part of a private operating concession linked to the construction, completion and opening of a luxury hotel on the former San Rafael site.
Any further delay to the hotel therefore also affects the start of casino operations.
Cipriani meets President Orsi
Giuseppe Cipriani met Uruguayan President Yamandú Orsi at the Executive Tower after work resumed.
The businessman said he requested the meeting to confirm that the development and its investment would continue after several weeks of uncertainty.
Giuseppe Cipriani, CEO of Grupo Cipriani
“We had a very good conversation with the President. We wanted to tell him that everything is fine, that construction is continuing, that the investment is continuing and that we are moving forward.
“Everything that happened is in the past. We are going to look ahead and consider how we can do things better now.”
Cipriani said the contractual issues with CRIBA and the labour matters affecting the project had been resolved.
He added that disagreements can arise during a development of this size, but said the parties would now concentrate on completing the work.
Hundreds training for resort employment
Approximately 300 people are receiving training through Grupo Cipriani’s hospitality academy at Locanda, the former Hotel Mantra.
The courses cover hotel, tourism and food service functions ahead of the planned resort opening. Reports do not establish that all 300 participants are being trained specifically for casino positions.
Grupo Cipriani previously said the completed development could employ more than 1,000 people across the hotel, restaurants and casino.
The postponement has created uncertainty for trainees who had expected employment to begin sooner. The company has said it is examining ways to provide work while construction continues.
Investment figures vary
Maldonado Mayor Miguel Abella said the investment already exceeds US$248m and has passed the threshold established in the original tender.
Grupo Cipriani separately stated earlier in August that it had invested approximately US$295m.
The difference may reflect different reporting dates, expenditure categories or valuation methods. Neither party published a detailed breakdown alongside the statements.
Abella described the dispute between Grupo Cipriani and CRIBA as a private contractual matter. He said national and departmental permits had proceeded correctly.
Locanda casino remains a proposal
Reports have suggested that Grupo Cipriani could seek temporary permission to operate a smaller casino at Locanda before the San Rafael complex opens.
The former Hotel Mantra previously housed a mixed public-private casino operation and is now owned by Grupo Cipriani.
Abella said the property could be physically suitable for gaming, but stressed that approval does not fall within the powers of the Maldonado municipal government.
Any casino authorisation would have to be considered by Uruguay’s national authorities.
The existing concession was structured around a private casino at the new San Rafael luxury hotel. Moving the operation temporarily to another property would therefore require a separate government decision or a change to the authorised arrangement.
No application approval or opening date for a Locanda casino has been announced.
