June could be a monumental month for Atlantic City as reports have surfaced that the Ocean Resort—formerly the Revel casino on the city’s north Boardwalk—is shooting to open simultaneously with the new Hard Rock Atlantic City.
Hard Rock has set a June 28 opening date and announced a full slate of entertainment for the property, which was once the Trump Taj Mahal. According to the Press of Atlantic City, several new hires at Ocean Resort have indicated they have signed employment agreements with the casino, which respectively set either June 11 or June 28 as start dates.
Officials for Ocean Resort did not confirm the report.
“The Ocean Resort casino team is committed to opening this summer and looks forward to announcing its highly anticipated opening date soon,” CEO Frank Leone said in an email to the paper.
The Ocean Resort was purchased by Colorado-based developer Bruce Deifek for $200 million in January and officials have said since the beginning that wanted to see the property re-open this summer.
The two new casinos, however, have gone about their refurbishments in very different ways. Hard Rock, for example, has been noticeably changing the look and structure of the former Taj Mahal, removing all vestiges of the Indian-theme of the former casino and replacing it with Hard Rock’s signature look, including the planned construction of a large guitar sign.
Most of the refurbishments to the former Revel, however, have been internal and less visible, though there have been some postings to social media showing new carpeting and slots.
Hard Rock has also been publicizing its nearly $500 million refurbishment of the casino, including opening a preview center at the city’s Tangier Outlets shopping district.
Ocean Resort, by contrast, has done very little promotion for its upcoming changes. However, the casino did announce one new attraction it is adding saying it will offer the world’s largest Topgolf Swing Suite, a virtual golf and interactive sport games facility.
“No detail was overlooked in the development of Ocean Resort Casino,” said Deifik in a press release. “We’re aligning with companies and brands that are the best at what they do to optimize the overall guest experience, and Topgolf is one of the best in terms of delivering cutting-edge entertainment and memorable social experiences that capture the spirit of competition and fun.”
The 26,000-square foot indoor facility will feature 11 player bays, each with a 16-foot-wide video screen and virtual reality experience simulating not only golf, but other sports as well. The lounge can be used for viewing parties for the Oscars, the Grammys or the Super Bowl, the release said.
Ocean Resort has also previously announced a partnership with Hyatt Hotels’ luxury travel experience brand, Unbound Collection, which includes the addition of the line’s Exhale spa brand.
Still, Ocean Resort needs to obtain a license from the state Casino Control Commission before opening. To date, no license hearings have been scheduled, and a report from the state Division of Gaming Enforcement has not been completed, the Press reported.
But in another positive sign, the Atlantic City Council has introduced an ordinance to change the name of the road serving the casino from Revel Boulevard to Ocean Beach Boulevard.
