Ocean Resort Casino is a popular casino and resort located in Atlantic City, New Jersey. But did you know that it was not always known by this name? In this article, we will explore the history of Ocean Resort Casino and what it was before.
The Beginnings
The site where Ocean Resort Casino now stands has a long and varied history. It was originally home to the Ocean One Mall, which opened in 1977.
The mall featured several stores and restaurants, including a supermarket, a movie theater, and a food court. However, by the early 2000s, the mall had fallen into disrepair and was largely abandoned.
The Transformation
In 2006, the Palm Beach-based developer Glenn Straub purchased the property with plans to transform it into a luxury resort called Revel. The new resort would feature a casino, hotel rooms, restaurants, and entertainment venues.
Over the next few years, Straub invested over $2 billion in Revel’s construction. The resort featured impressive architecture with two towers rising 47 stories high and an expansive casino floor that could accommodate up to 7,000 slot machines and table games.
The Opening
Revel had its grand opening on April 2nd of 2012. Despite its impressive features and luxurious amenities like a world-class spa and gourmet restaurants, Revel struggled to attract visitors from its inception.
The resort’s high-end focus made it difficult for middle-class tourists to afford to stay there or gamble at its expensive tables. Additionally, Revel did not have any affiliation with established casino brands like Caesars or MGM Resorts that could have helped draw visitors.
The Closure
Revel filed for bankruptcy twice in its short lifespan – once in March of 2013 and then again in June of 2014. Despite efforts to keep it open through restructuring deals with investors, Revel closed its doors on September 2nd, 2014.
The closure was a significant blow to the Atlantic City economy as it resulted in over 3,000 employees losing their jobs. Additionally, the city lost a significant portion of its tax revenue as Revel had been one of the largest taxpayers in the region.
Ocean Resort Casino
After several years of sitting vacant, Glenn Straub sold the property to Colorado developer Bruce Deifik for $200 million in January of 2018. Deifik renamed the resort Ocean Resort Casino and invested over $200 million into renovations and updates.
Ocean Resort Casino reopened on June 27th, 2018, with a focus on appealing to middle-class tourists and families. The casino features over 138,000 square feet of gaming space with over 2,500 slot machines and table games.
Additionally, Ocean Resort Casino offers luxury hotel rooms with ocean views and several restaurants that cater to different palates. The resort also has an indoor/outdoor pool that is open year-round and a state-of-the-art fitness center.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Ocean Resort Casino has had a long and varied history that began with the Ocean One Mall before becoming Revel and then eventually Ocean Resort Casino. While it struggled in its early years as Revel, it has since been transformed into a popular casino and resort destination that attracts visitors from all over the world.