Vol. 4, No. 1, January 2007
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Construction Craze
Atlantic City’s building boom continues
The new year is translating into a frenzy of construction across town, as several casino expansion projects get into full swing for their push toward grand openings.
Harrah’s Atlantic City has completed installation of the massive dome over its new pool and spa area, slated to open in May. The 90-foot dome will open an 86,000-gallon swimming pool and spa area to the sky, and will kick off a theme called “Endless Summer.” The pool, which will be surrounded by Jacuzzis and cabanas, is part of an expansion that will add yet another new hotel tower within another year.
At the Borgata, tower construction for the new “Water Club” upscale hotel addition continues on pace for a grand opening in the fall. The $325 million tower will include 800 guest rooms and suites, three residences, a two-story, 36,000-square-foot “spa in the sky,” 18,000 square feet of meeting space and six retail shops. Rooms will feature grand views of the ocean and back bays.
Bally’s is well under way on a complete re-design and reconstruction of the penthouse level of the property’ main tower. The project will bring current suites up to date and add two new suites, featuring 16-foot, floor-to-ceiling windows for spectacular views, fireplaces, and state-of-the-art entertainment centers.
Bally’s also is expanding its high-limit baccarat pit, and adding a new themed Asian Gaming Pit. Along with this will be a new 60-seat noodle bar. Bally’s construction is slated to be complete in March.
Patrons at Caesars Atlantic City are becoming familiar with construction areas on the second floor. The casino is expanding and renovating its second-floor casino to add hundreds of new slots, and revamping it with a new design—including new carpeting, ceilings and floor tiling. The new expansion is on top of the recently completed entryway to the skywalk that leads to the Pier Shops at Caesars. This month, Caesars begins renovation of the Circus Maximus Theater.
The Atlantic City Hilton revealed its latest addition last month with the grand opening of the “Chairman’s Club” high-end player’s lounge, a luxurious 10,000-square-foot space next to the Horizon’s Café on the second level.
The state-of-the-art club features 25-foot ceilings and high-arching windows revealing an unbeatable ocean view, and includes a fully stocked 30-seat bar, a gourmet buffet, a lounge area with plush chairs and sofas, 15 plasma televisions, a dining area, private bathrooms and a stage for live entertainment.
At Trump Taj Mahal, preliminary construction began for the new $250 million, 786-room hotel tower, the first major addition since the Taj opened in 1990. Construction of the new tower coincides with a complete upgrade of all existing rooms and public areas inside the casino, including a transformation of the promenade leading from the parking garage to the casino into a new retail center.
The 40-story tower, including 716 standard rooms and 70 high-roller suites, is slated for completion in the summer of 2008. The Taj expansion is part of a larger project to improve all three Atlantic City Trump properties.
