The Seminole Tribe of Florida’s 220-room hotel in downtown Atlanta is scheduled to open in spring 2018 across Centennial Olympic Park Drive from Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the future home of the Atlanta Falcons. Hard Rock International Executive Vice President of Global Hotel Development Marco Roca said, “Atlanta has become a preferred destination among travelers and the city’s widespread appeal makes it an ideal destination for Hard Rock’s global fan base. We look forward to showcasing our world-class brand and bringing the Hard Rock Hotels experience to this thriving modern city.”
Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed noted, “The new Hard Rock Hotel in Castleberry Hill will offer a new, best-in-class option for the millions of people visiting Atlanta each year. In addition to serving tourists and visitors, this new hotel will serve as a powerful economic anchor, bringing new jobs and further investment to our downtown corridor and stadium neighborhoods.”
Forbes.com has described the Seminole Tribe as “tribal pioneers in the casino and gaming business.” The tribe sold tax-free tobacco products then opened their first businesses, high stakes bingo halls, in Florida in 1979. The first two Hard Rock Hotels and Casinos in Florida opened in 2004. The tribe finalized its cash purchase of Hard Rock International for $965 million in March 2007, according to the Hard Rock website.
Since then the tribe has pursued an aggressive business model, surviving legal challenges from the state of Florida over the right to offer gambling. As a result, other tribal casinos opened on reservations, leading to tribal gaming across the U.S.
