The other, Trump Taj Mahal, was sold for just 4% of its original $1.2 billion cost and is now a Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. As for Trump Plaza: Demolition is now underway. Crews have been working. Trump Plaza is the last of the three Trump casinos in Atlantic City. The other two are now operating under new names (the former Trump Marina is now the Golden Nugget, and the Trump Taj Mahal is.
For years, officials within Atlantic City have been calling for the demolition of the Trump Plaza Casino. Issues have come up, and until fairly recently, this abandoned property remained on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Demolition on this hotel-casino has finally begun and should finish at some point in 2021.
Many are excited to hear this venue finally being taken down. Atlantic City is one of the country’s top casino destinations and many companies are interested in building a new hotel-casino where the Trump Casino currently sits. Today, we’re going to talk about what the demolition of this property means for the city moving forward.
Let’s get into it!
History of Donald Trump’s Atlantic City Hotel-Casino
Back in the 1980s, Atlantic City was one of the most exciting gambling destinations in the United States. Casino gambling had been officially legalized in 1976 and some of the biggest casino companies immediately began opening properties here. In June of 1982, The Trump Organization began the construction of a new major gaming venue on the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
In May of 1984, this property officially opened its doors to the public. It was one of the most impressive hotel-casinos in the city with 614 rooms, seven restaurants, and a 60,000 square-foot casino. It immediately became a hit with gamblers from around the East Coast.
Over the years, the Trump Plaza Casino became a major sports venue, as well. Several major events including Wrestlemania IV and Wrestlemania V were held here. This helped to bring the hotel-casino even more exposure.
Revenue figures here began to sharply decline in the 1990s. By 1995, Donald Trump granted ownership of this venue to the Trump Entertainment Resorts. In 2011, company officials announced they planned to either sell or renovate this property.
In September of 2014, the hotel and casino finally closed its doors for the last time. It wasn’t the only major casino-resort here to make this decision. The recession had taken a major toll on Atlantic City and four other hotel-casinos in the city had already shut down.
Trump Plaza Online Casino Slots
This venue has remained in Atlantic City over the years, despite being closed. Many have called for it to be demolished. This month, officials finally began the process of tearing this old gambling venue down.
The Trump Plaza Casino is Now Being Taken Down
Atlantic City was hurting badly from 2008 to 2016. Over the past few years, however, things have completely turned around. The legalization of sports betting and investments from outside companies have once again turned this New Jersey city into one of the best casino destinations in the US.
Of course, the pandemic has halted the progress that was being made here. Back in March, all of Atlantic City’s casinos were ordered to shut down. It wasn’t until July that they were given permission to reopen.
There have been calls to demolish the Trump Plaza Casino for years. Many felt its removal would open the opportunity for a new hotel-casino to be constructed. Billionaire Carl Icahn now owns the land this venue sits on, and repeatedly told the media that demolition would begin once all the contracts were agreed to.
It took time, yet the process of tearing down this property has finally begun. A demolition crew from Pennsylvania have begun taking the hotel-casino down piece by piece. If all goes according to plan, the official implosion of the venue will happen sometime in 2021.
It’s not entirely clear what will be built here. Most feel another hotel-casino will be opened on the property. Carl Icahn has not publicly revealed what’s being planned. We’re likely to hear more about this situation once demolition is complete.
Atlantic City Casinos Still Struggle to Generate Revenue
For years, the small city of Atlantic City was seeing its local economy flourish. Tourism rates were high and casinos here were bringing in an incredible amount of revenue from their land-based and regulated online gambling operations. Things took a major turn in March after these casinos were forced to close.
Most of the gambling venues in the city have been reopened for more than a month. Unfortunately, revenue figures are considerably lower than what was seen at the start of 2020. It’s not entirely clear when this trend will change.
The truth is that most people are hesitant to visit a crowded casino right now. That’s particularly true with the new health and safety rules set in place inside these casinos. Most experts feel things will stay that way for the rest of 2020.
Things are very similar over in Las Vegas. Here, casinos have been open for even longer. Several companies here released their second-quarter revenue reports for 2020 and things are just as bad as most predicted they would be.
Many casino companies are now beginning to focus more on their online gambling operations. Revenue from the internet casino industry has actually increased since March. It seems likely that more states will begin looking into online gambling regulation as the months go on.
It will be interesting to see what replaces the Trump Plaza Casino. Make sure to stay tuned for updates!
When vacationers or business travelers are considering a trip to Atlantic City, the first person they think of is Donald Trump. Of course, this makes Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino one of the most popular hotels in the city, and booking a room can be difficult depending on the season/event at hand. With a phenomenal 39 stories of rooms, amenities, dining, and entertainment to offer, Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino is hard to miss (although being located at the center of the famous Boardwalk helps as well). Average price per night during the week is comparable to other Atlantic City hotels, and weekend rates are at a moderate price per night, with additional reasonable charges for extras such as facials, breakfast in bed, full body massage, and more.
The entertainment areas at Trump Plaza are unbeatable, with casinos in wide array, shops for everyone, box office venues, bars and nightclubs, and special events found only at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino. There is a valet service and shuttle bus that carry those staying at the Plaza to nearby shopping areas, restaurants, golf courses, and other recreational activities free (for Executive and Chairman Club Members). Due to its location at the center of the Boardwalk, there is no shortage of eating establishments, and two fine dining locations within Trump Plaza itself. Twelve casual restaurants are also found at Trump Plaza for those wishing to enjoy a cup of coffee or something sweet without leaving the hotel.
Visit Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino
There are many other amenities at Trump Plaza, including spas, salons, meeting areas, convention areas for large gatherings, and more. Each room is designed with the traveler in mind, offering ironing board and iron, coffee, in-room safe and refrigerator, and hair dryers. Although the hotel caters primarily to those wishing to utilize the casino (as many Atlantic City vacationers do), it is a wonderful opportunity to enjoy some pampering and relaxation as well. Whether the traveler is seeking a hotel for one day or one week, business or pleasure, Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino is a one-stop option to host meetings, honeymoon, or vacation with the family.