Hard Rock’s $500 million reconstruction project of the iconic now-defunct Taj Mahal casino hotel, formerly owned by America’s current President Donald Trump, is in process. The multi-million revamp project involves a complete change of Taj Mahal’s look, erasing every single vestige from its past. According to the latest updates, the builders are removing the casino’s most-recognizable symbols, including the red minaret and onion domes. This spring, Hard Rock purchased the former Trump Taj Mahal casino resort for $50 million and the company announced its plans to fully renovate the gambling venue and reopen it in May 2018.
Indian-inspired Taj Mahal has been stripped of its most emblematic exterior features to move forward to its future. Hard Rock revealed that its aim is to totally renovate the gambling property and introduce an entirely new concept in it. The demolition of the facade of the once called the “Eighth Wonder of the World” is already underway. The project is highly-favored by city officials as it is to create a number of permanent and temporary jobs. Apart from that, the re-branded Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will try to attract more visitors to the city, which is to boost the tourism sector and foster economic activity.
Under initial plans, the new gambling venue is to offer a gambling area, featuring skill-based slots, fantasy sports betting, and hidden VIP gambling room. As for non-gambling activities, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City is to offer classy restaurant and poolside. Hard Rock’s property president Matt Harkness and two other development partners declined to provide more details regarding the project. Given the operator’s fondness for rock and roll culture, people may expect to see the typical Hard Rock legacy incorporated into its newest property in Atlantic City.
Taj Mahals’ Long and Bumpy Ride
Taj Mahal was built at a total cost of nearly $1 billion dollars and opened its doors for the first time in the 1990s. Shortly after that, the casino turned into a popular gambling venue. In the 2000s, Trump Taj Mahal started to lose the luster of “the eighth wonder of the world”. The once beehive-with-activity Taj Mahal met financial problems, which resulted in its shutting down on 10th October 2016.
Trump gradually started to distance himself from the gambling industry to pave the way for his future political career. In 2015, he sold Trump Taj Mahal to New York businessman Carl Icahn, who managed to save the gambling venue from bankruptcy, but not for long. In 2016, Mr. Icahn was forced to shutter Trump Taj Mahal due to a continuous workers’ strike. Taj Mahal has a sentimental value to Atlantic City’s residents as it reminds of the city’s glorious past. Hence, the news for its reopening was accepted with open arms by the locals, who are hoping that Hard Rock is to bring back these glorious days.
