Merlin Entertainments is to begin formal negotiations with the Japanese city of Nagoya about establishing a Legoland theme park.
Merlin has been exploring several potential sites across the country together with venture company GCDS Corporation and Nagoya, Japan’s thord city, is identified as its preferred location. Pending the terms and conditions necessary for Merlin and GCDS to develop, construct and operate Legoland Japan within the city limits, the park could open as early as 2015.
“We sincerely believe Legoland Japan would make Nagoya an important tourist destination for both domestic and international markets,” reports Frank Stanek, chairman of the Japanese entity that would develop the park. He added that he was convinced this would be Nagoya’s answer to Tokyo Disneyland or Osaka’s Universal Studios. Stanek was actively involved in the development of each of these parks.
Merlin has already announced plans for a Legoland Discovery Centre indoor attraction, opening at the Decks Tokyo Beach Mall in the Japanese capital this coming spring, and is also considering a full size Legoland park in South Korea. The brand’s big push into the Asia-Pacific region will begin in December 2012 when it opens Legoland Malaysia near the border with Singapore.
