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MotorCity Casino expansion opens to public
Detroit’s MotorCity Casino became the first of Detroit’s three casinos to unveil new permanent gaming and entertainment space when it opened its expansion to the public in early June.
A VIP preview showcased the first phase of the casino’s $275 million expansion. City of Detroit officials joined MotorCity executives—including MotorCity owner Marian Ilitch, designer Chip Foose, Gregg Solomon, CEO of Detroit Entertainment LLC, and MotorCity Casino COO Rhonda Cohen, for a ribbon-cutting prior to the preview.
This first phase of the expansion features the design consulting work of Chip Foose, renowned auto designer and star of The Learning Channels’ “Overhaulin.” Foose and the Genesis Design team carried the “MotorCity” theme throughout the casino with an emphasis on “Future Retro” concept styling, according to a news release. The casino expansion features the latest gaming technology and “must see” design elements, the release said.
Later phases of the expansion include a 17-story, 400-room hotel tower that includes a spa, retail outlets and dining options, additional parking, and a 1,200-seat theater.
Two other Detroit Casinos are in the midst of their own permanent facility development projects. The MGM Grand Detroit Casino is spending $765 million on a new, 17-floor, Art Deco-style gambling facility that will feature a 400-room hotel; a 100,000-square-foot casino; restaurants; shops; a high-energy dance club; a meeting and events center; and a full-service resort spa. It is slated to open in the fourth quarter of 2007.
Greektown Casino is constructing a $200 million expansion and 400-room hotel at its current downtown facility, which opened in 2000. The casino is building a 3,000-space parking garage and a 15-story, 400-room hotel with 25,000 square feet of convention space. In addition, it is growing the gaming floor space by 25,000 square feet for a total of 100,000 square feet and is planning to open a 1,100-seat theater.
