The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa recently held a weekend-long celebration in honor of its recently completed $720 million expansion, including a guitar-smashing and high-wire walks by two members of the famed Wallenda family 160 feet above a new football-field size pool.
In addition, country music superstar Keith Urban performed at a sold-out concert as his wife actress Nicole Kidman and model Christie Brinkley walked the red carpet. DJ Brody Jenner hosted a private blackjack tournament.
Seminole Tribe Vice Chairman Mitchell Cypress said, “We started off with a chicken and one alligator in a pen. Look where we’re at.” Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and president of Seminole Gaming, said, “The expansion will increase entertainment and dining options and help us attract guests from throughout the country and around the world.” He noted the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa generates $1 billion in annual revenue for the corporation, which has a total annual revenue of nearly $6 billion. Allen said the Tampa operation is the most successful casino in North America and ranks fourth or fifth in the world. Hard Rock is the only casino company whose debt is rated investment-grade by the three leading credit rating agencies, Allen noted. Currently it employs more than 45,000 people over 254 properties including casinos, hotels, cafes and retail.
The Tampa expansion took two and a half years to complete and created 2,000 construction jobs. Meanwhile the Tampa casino and new hotel added 2,000 permanent jobs, for a total payroll of 4,800 employees. Now the 245,000 square foot gaming floor offers 5,000 slots and 200 tables for poker, blackjack, baccarat and more.
The expansion also includes a new 14-story, 562-room hotel, new pool deck with three pools, a 26,000 square foot Rock Spa & Salon, new restaurants, added retail and a new 1,800-seat concert hall. Plus—a 24-karat gold-leaf plated piano once owned by Elvis Presley.
