In an effort to convert its downtown Cincinnati property into a regional destination, Hard Rock International will pump $70 million into the hotel. It’s part of a plan to convert the entertainment complex into a regional destination that draws more than the locals crowd.
“It’s critical to the continued success of this property as we grow the entertainment lineup,” said Jon Lucas, chief operating officer of the Florida-based company. “People can regionally come here, enjoy a show, gamble a little bit, eat some dinner. And then they don’t have to drive back home. They can spend the night.”
Hard Rock acquired the former JACK Cincinnati Casino in 2019. The investment plan calls for a 300-room hotel with a spa, a fitness center and luxury suites for high rollers.
“I think it’ll be pretty quick,” Lucas said of the timeline. “We just met with our partners about doing that yesterday. And we’ve done the feasibility study already.”
Hard Rock invested $40 million to upgrade dining and concert venues, and has constructed a sportsbook in the event Ohio legislators make sports betting legal.
“What we do is we create the real entertainment facility that has a lot of the non-gaming amenities,” Lucas said. “You can’t change the convenience play where somebody’s in the neighborhood and just wants to play for an hour or two.”
