Four years ago, Macau gaming magnate Stanley Ho Hung-sun briefed architect Dennis Lau Wing-kwong on the design for his new flagship casino, saying simply that he wanted 'a landmark building'.
'The Americans were coming in and he wanted to fight back,' Mr Lau said. 'He wanted a building with character.'
It was Mr Lau's first casino project, so he promptly flew to Las Vegas to study the iconic resorts of the US gaming capital.
'Too many were either office-like or looked like amusement parks with pyramids. In a whole week I didn't see any I really liked,' he said.
'Then I went to see the shows. I saw all the dancing showgirls and then it hit me: 'This is Vegas, not the buildings',' Mr Lau said.
'I got the idea for the building from the showgirls' feathered headdresses.'