The Seminole Tribe of Florida has announced plans for a $1.8 billion expansion of its Hard Rock Hotel & Casino near Hollywood. A new 800-room guitar-shaped hotel is to be built, together with a $100 million swimming pool complex, and five new restaurants, a buffet and nightclub. The hotel, which is located on U.S. 441 north of Stirling Road, will increase the complex’s rooms to 1,273. “We could have easily just built some rectangular building … but the tribe is trying to create something that is iconic, that creates international tourism coming to Florida,” said Seminole Gaming CEO Jim Allen.
The project is contingent upon Florida lawmakers approving a deal between Rick Scott and the Seminole tribe, that would allow for a new casino to be built in Miami. The gaming deal would bring $3 billion to the state over the next seven years. In return, the tribe would get the exclusive right to have roulette, craps and other table games in its seven casinos. According to the Seminole leaders, the project would create an estimated 4,867 full-time jobs, and 14,585 construction jobs.
