Hotel Online Press Releases

Peter Morton Announces Expansion of the
Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas:
New Tower, Private Bungalows, Pool, Restaurants, Set to Break Ground in February
The Rolling Stones Set to Perform at Hotel's Concert Venue `The Joint' on February 15, 1998


LAS VEGAS, Jan. 26 - Peter Morton, founder and chairman of the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Inc., announced today the $85 million expansion of his Las Vegas hotel and resort. With the hotel operating at 100% occupancy since the opening in March 1995, the expansion will begin immediately with an early Spring 1999 completion date expected. With the purchase of the land adjacent to his property for $8.5 million, the total property size is now over 18 acres. 

The acquisition of his partner's 40% stake in the Hotel as well as its management contract have been approved by the Nevada Gaming Authority. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino is now completely self-managed and Morton is actively pursuing other gaming opportunities in Nevada, as well as in the UK and Australia. The Las Vegas property, as well as any new sites will be listed under the "Peter Morton Hotels" brand. 

The $85 million expansion will see the addition of 350 new guest rooms designed by Calbin Tsao with the adjunct of a new guest tower to total 680 rooms. New additions include, exclusive two-story private bungalows with their own private pool area, 50 luxury suites and an additional two acres of swimming pool area designed by Howard Fields. The new Beach Club will not only triple the size of the existing pool area, but will also feature swim-up gaming areas, an outdoor bar/club area, over 40 private Cabanas, an outdoor performance area, special open-air banquet facilities, a fresh flower garden and an oasis of palm trees. In addition, the expansion will bring a state-of- the-art health spa and salon, four new restaurants featuring a steak house (created by Arnie Morton -- Morton's father and creator of the Arnie Morton Steak Houses), a Mexican restaurant and a world famous Asian restaurant. A 5000 square foot nightclub will also join the property. 

The famed Hard Rock Store which features exclusive Hard Rock Hotel merchandise will see its current area nearly double, and the Hard Rock Race and Sports Book area will grow to meet increasing demand. Also on tap will be a new meeting/banquet facility which will be set pool-side to increase the ability to host larger groups and companies. The expansion will increase the premiere services that guests expect to find at a first-class resort destination. 

Having already hosted rock 'n' roll's royalty in the hotel's exclusive concert venue "THE JOINT," Morton also announced that the "World's Biggest Rock 'n' Roll Band," THE ROLLING STONES, will play at the 1400 seat concert venue on February 15, 1998! Also slated to perform in the coming weeks are JOHN MELLENCAMP over Super Bowl weekend, SANTANA, INDIGO GIRLS, SMASH MOUTH, THIRD EYE BLIND and JOHN LEE HOOKER. 

"I am very excited about entering into the next stage of the Hard Rock Hotel's development and growth," states Morton. "With our new ownership structure fully resolved and in place, we are charging ahead on our long- delayed and much anticipated expansion. The first two years have been tremendous. We knew that we would have to develop and create something totally new and unique if we wanted to succeed in Las Vegas, and we are definitely heading in the right direction. We promised to offer the excitement of Vegas in the intimate setting of a resort property, and we made service and customer satisfaction paramount," added Morton. "I will make sure that the intimacy and personal qualities of the hotel go unchanged with the expansion."

Contact:
Jeff Wagner, VP Marketing, 310-854-3366, or Dana Olliges, PR Marketing Manager, 702-693-5000,
both of Hard Rock Hotel; or
Tracy Mosh or Jennifer Allen of PMK - Los Angeles, 213-954-4000, or
Jill Fritzo of PMK - New York, 212-582-1111/


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