Additional high res photos available here: https://bit.ly/2EiFdmW

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa’s $700 million expansion hit a significant milestone here today with a “Topping Out” ceremony.

In keeping with tradition, the final steel beam of the highly anticipated project was ceremonially hoisted and set atop the giant framework of the new hotel tower. The long-standing custom, attributed to the ancient Scandinavian ritual of placing a tree on the top of a newly completed building, celebrates the construction efforts and crews that are involved with the project.

The beam itself was transported to the Seminole Tribe’s Brighton, Immokalee, Big Cypress and Hollywood Reservations over the past month to allow members of the Tribal community throughout Florida the chance to sign it as a way to share in the celebration.  The onsite construction teams also had the opportunity to leave their signatures on the beam, as a proud representation of their individual efforts on the project.

“Today is an exceptional day,” stated Jim Allen, CEO of Seminole Gaming and Chairman of Hard Rock International.  “I thank everyone involved in this project, from the designers and engineers to the day-to-day laborers that are showing the world what the Seminole Tribe and the Hard Rock brand are truly about — unconquered vision, unparalleled service and unlimited future.”

Upon completion of the expansion project, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa’s position as one of America’s largest casinos will only be reinforced with 5,000 slot machines and almost 200 gaming tables. It will offer one of the largest varieties of slot machines in the nation and offer guests approximately 200,000 sq. ft. of entertainment and gaming.

Expansion of Seminole Hard Rock Tampa is part of a record $2.4 billion economic investment by the Seminole Tribe of Florida in its two flagship destination casino complexes in Tampa and Hollywood, Florida. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood is undergoing a simultaneous expansion and renovation.

In Tampa, the Tribe’s economic investment means there will be close to an additional 1,000 part time and full time jobs, which are in addition to the over 2,000 construction jobs on-site during the two-year building project. Economic analysts point to another 1,022 indirect permanent jobs generated by the casino expansion, plus another 2,268 indirect construction jobs, for a grand total of more than 6,000 additional jobs.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is one of the largest employers in Tampa Bay with more than 3,500 team members and the property will continue to grow as a destination resort with the ongoing expansion.

The centerpiece of the expansion is a new 15-story hotel tower with an additional 564 hotel rooms and suites.  In total, the expanded Seminole Hard Rock Hotel will offer approximately 800 guestrooms, including 79 new hotel suites for a new total of 88 suites.

For the ultimate VIP experience, the top floor of the new hotel tower will feature a private gaming parlor for VIP guests, with an exclusive check in and private elevators to rock star suites.

Hotel guests will have access to three ultra-lavish new outdoor swimming pools adjacent to the second level of the new hotel tower that will feature a trendy 120-seat Pool Grille restaurant and bar. Measuring the size of a football field, the expanded pool and deck area will be a hot spot for frequent special events for casino guests with the inclusion of day and night life activations. The outdoor pool area is designed by the renowned landscape architecture firm, EDSA.

A new 25,000 sq. ft. Rock Spa & Salon will also open on the second level of the hotel tower and will offer pool-side services for the ultimate resort experience. The new spa will replace the existing spa and salon.

Seminole Hard Rock Tampa will continue to expand and refresh their culinary amenities with the addition of a new 200-seat Italian restaurant, making the restaurant the third fine dining venue the property will offer. The property is already known for its award-winning restaurants Council Oak Steaks & Seafood and The Rez Grill.

Additional renovations and updates are planned for the existing Hard Rock Cafe, Fresh Harvest Buffet, Plum VIP Lounge and Food Court.  Rise Kitchen & Bakery will be redesigned and relocated as part of the casino expansion project.

The property will also continue to elevate its music and entertainment programming with a 30,000-sq. ft. Seminole Hard Rock Event Center that is under construction on the second level of the casino complex. Included is a 17,000-sq. ft. grand ballroom for concerts, conventions, trade shows, private events and large-scale poker tournaments.

Six additional retail shops will join the existing two retail outlets to more than triple the casino complex’ current shopping options.

An additional 700 parking spaces will also increase the total number of available parking spaces to approximately 6,000.

Architects for the expansion are Klai Juba Wald Architects of Las Vegas, Nevada.  Interior designs are by Wimberly Interiors, Coral Gables, Florida; Laurence Lee Associates, Los Angeles; and Klai Juba Wald Interiors, Las Vegas, Nevada. The construction team is led by Suffolk Yates.

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is the premier entertainment destination of Central Florida. Owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, the property is one of the most successful and largest casinos in the world. Located off I-4 at North Orient Road and Hillsborough Avenue, about 10 minutes east of downtown Tampa, the casino features high stakes table games, thousands of the hottest slot machines as well as a new smoke free slots area offering more than 850 popular games. Additionally, there is a state-of-the-art Poker Room featuring 46 tables and an art deco-inspired Mezzanine Level Casino with more than 500 premium and high limit slots. The hotel is AAA Four Diamond rated and the property proudly offers seven award-winning Zagat-rated restaurants, including the upscale dining venues Council Oak Steaks & Seafood and The Rez Grill. The only place to rock one’s body and soul, Rock Spa® & Salon, is also available along with a plethora of VIP services. For more information, please call 866-502-PLAY or visit us online and via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

About Hard Rock International

With venues in 74 countries, including 183 cafes, 27 hotels and 12 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world’s most valuable collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise and Hard Rock Live performance venues. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands. The company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Destinations include the company’s two most successful Hotel and Casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, FL., both owned and operated by HRI parent entity The Seminole Tribe of Florida, as well as other exciting locations including Atlantic City, Bali, Cancun, Daytona Beach, Ibiza, Orlando, Shenzhen and San Diego. Upcoming new Hard Rock Cafe locations include, Maldives, Manila, Malaga, Georgetown, Fortaleza, Rosario and Chengdu. New Hard Rock Hotel, Casino or Hotel & Casino projects include Berlin, Budapest, Desaru Coast, Dublin, London, Los Cabos, Madrid, Maldives, New York City, Ottawa, Sacramento, Dalian and Haikou in China. In 2018, Hard Rock International was recognized as a Forbes Magazine Top Employer for Women and Land Operator of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards. For more information on Hard Rock International visit www.hardrock.com.

###