Atlantic City Hard Rock project could top $500 million, much more than expected

ATLANTIC CITY — The cost of turning the former Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort into Hard Rock Casino Hotel Atlantic City could top $500 million.

Hard Rock International originally announced the rebranding of the 4 million-square-foot property would cost as much as $400 million, but after further inspection, Jim Allen, Hard Rock International chairman, said it could be higher.

“The building is tired,” Allen said Thursday during the keynote address of the 21st annual East Coast Gaming Congress and NexGen Gaming Forum at Harrah’s Resort. “When we first bought it, we thought we would spend $350 million, then it became $375 million, then it became $400 million. We are now committed to putting a minimum of $500 million into that building.”

Part of the increase is tied to removing the Indian-themed decor from the property, once called the “Eighth Wonder of the World.”

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