As Atlantic officials have searched for ways to bring non-gaming attractions to Atlantic City, a major new entertainment venue has opened courtesy of Philadelphia developer Bart Blatstein.
Blatstein has opened a $52 million refurbishment to the former Ocean One mall—later called the Pier Shops at Caesars—turning it into a mixed-use entertainment and retail space.
“I’m coming into an area that everybody else is running out of,” Blatstein told the Associated Press. “But that’s what I do. I fix problems; I’m the handyman. Either I’m really smart, or I’m a moron.”
Blatstein paid $2.7 million for the Atlantic City complex that cost $200 million to build before it went bankrupt.
“It was 55 percent vacant, and it was bleeding,” Blatstein said. “I’m a sucker for a turnaround story.”
The first floor of the mall is now modeled on Nashville’s Music Row. Called “T Street,” it includes five live music venues, in addition to a 2,000-seat concert space called 39N.
Plans call for a bowling alley and sports bar to open in the fall. The complex also includes retail shops, restaurants and an outdoor beer garden. It’s also home to the iconic sign that Blatstein bought from the former Riviera Hotel and Casino, which closed its doors on the Las Vegas Strip last month.
Other plans call for an elevated pool. The fourth floor will be renovated for expanded private event rental space.
Blatstein is also addressing one of the problems the pier has faced since its inception—a lack of nearby affordable parking. The Playground will offer $15 valet parking nearby and free surface parking with a shuttle to the facility where the Sands casino used to stand.
Blatstein said the complex will target the 20-to-40 age demographic.
”They go out a lot, they stay out late and they spend money,” he said. “Atlantic City should not be a family entertainment town. There’s plenty of those up and down the Jersey shore.”
