They had been alternately described as ugly, gaudy and fun—depending on who you ask—but now the iconic onion domes of the former Trump Taj Mahal Casino in Atlantic City are simply gone.
The casino was once owned by now-President Donald Trump who hailed it as the “eighth wonder of the world” when it opened in 1990. But Hard Rock International bought the casino—from billionaire Carl Icahn, not Trump—and has been remaking the property in a new image and theme.
That remake has led to Trump’s name and iconic signage at the former casino being removed. Now the Taj’s signature domes and minarets have also been dismantled.
Hard Rock is conducting an about $325 million renovation of the property, which it plans to re-open in the summer.
Trump once owned three Atlantic City Casinos including Trump Plaza—which held the strategic position of sitting at the end of the main road entrance to the city—and Trump Castle in the city’s marina district. He largely divested himself of ownership of the properties in 2009, though they retained the right to use his name.
All three properties, however, were sold in bankruptcy by owner Trump Entertainment. Trump Castle is now owned by Landry’s and was rebranded as the Golden Nugget Atlantic City. The Taj Mahal and Plaza were bought out of bankruptcy by billionaire Carl Icahn.
Icahn closed the Taj Mahal in 2016 and then sold it to Hard Rock International for a reported $50 million. The casino cost $1.2 billion to build in 1990.
According to the Associated Press, workers in hydraulic lifts cut away the elaborate façade with mechanical saws. A giant metal letter “T” could still be seen in the site’s parking lot waiting to be carted off.
Hard Rock officials have said they intend to remove all signs of the former Taj Mahal themes.
In an interview in May Hard Rock chairman Jim Allen said none of the property’s Indian décor—or the Trump name—will remain when the new casino resort debuts next year.
“It’s everywhere,” Hard Rock chairman Jim Allen said in a May interview with the AP. “The amount of money we’re going to have to spend to remove all those minarets and all that purple. Jesus! What were we thinking?”
Late last month, Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian said plans are also in the works to raze the former Trump Plaza. The site is still owned by Icahn, who has not commented, but the former casino and hotel has sat vacant for more than three years.
City building officials said that while no demolition permit has been filed with the city, Icahn’s Atlantic City business Tropicana Entertainment is in the process of putting on together, according to the Press of Atlantic City. The site’s former Holiday Inn tower and parking garage are expected to be left standing.
