Hard Rock Announces Atlantic City Casino

Atlantic City, N.J., received some much-needed good news July 21 when Hard Rock International announced it would move forward with building a proposed $275 million casino hotel to open 2014.

At a community meeting, representatives of Hard Rock, which is owned by the Seminole Indians of Florida, said it still needs to wade through bureaucratic tape before it can break ground. However, the company plans to do that this fall or next spring.

New Jersey has authorized two smaller casinos for Atlantic City; the pilot program seeks to jumpstart new investment in the city.

Atlantic City is the nation’s second-largest gaming market. However, in what could be a sign of the times, Hilton recently took its name off of a property in the city, announcing it will not be renewing a licensing agreement for the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort.

Hard Rock said it would build at the southern end of the boardwalk, beginning with 200 hotel rooms then adding a 650-room tower during the second phase, according to the Press of Atlantic City.