ATLANTIC CITY NEWS

Bally's Atlantic City began $4 million Boardwalk facade renovation in September 2004. The renovation project will add more traditional elements to the building including cornices, columns, elegant molding, accent lights, nd arched openings. New caopies and signage at the Boardwlk level windows and entrances will also be added. The project is scheduled to be completed in April 2005.

The beach at Resorts Atlantic City will never be the same when Nikki Beach opens summer 2005. Promising to redefine the concept of a beach bar in Atlantic City, Nikki Beach is a world-renowned company with venues in St. Tropez, St. Barths, and Brazil, as well as South Beach, Miami. Guests can enjoy delicious dining for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, along with fashion shows, model searches and special events. Bringing a rock-n-roll edge to the party will be Penrod's Elbo Room, known as the oldest bar in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida. It will feature a 50,000 square foot entertainment complex for summer concerts. 

Harrah's Atlantic City will be opening the new Xhibition bar in 2005, featuring 28 plasma screens and live music.

Resorts Atlantic City, the city's first casino hotel, recently opened a new 27-story luxury tower. The $215 million project had its grand opening on July 2, 2004 and features 408 rooms and 51 suites, bringing Resort's total number of guest rooms to 938. A new porte-cochere entrances leads to an elegant lobby area that connecta both towers. Changes also include an art deco fcade and an additional 13, 700 square feet of casino space.

The Madison House at Sands Hotel and Casino reopened in March 2005 after a $7 million renovation. Sands converted the 74-year-old 250-room hotel into 126 comfortably designed mini-suites. Madison House offers a non-smoking bed and breakfast style atmosphere, with each suite featuring separate living room and bedroom and multiple baths. 

Coming in 2006...
For even more shopping and dining, Caesars Entertainment is rebuilding Ocean One, the Boardwalk shopping mall, into The Pier at Caesars. The Pier is an exciting new, high-end retail, dining and entertainment complex developed by The Gordon Group on the site of the former Million Dollar Pier across the Boardwalk from Caesars Atlantic City. The opening is scheduled for 2006, with a world-class roster of elite retailers including such first-in-the-region stores as Gucci, Hugo Boss, Louis Vuitton, Armani A/X, Bebe and Burberry. 

In 2006, Borgata is scheduled to unveil a $200 million 500,000 square foot expansion. The first phase of the Borgata's expansion will add 600 slots, 36 game tables and a poker room that brings the total of tables from 34 to 80. Also in the works are three dining establishments - the chefs are Bobby Flay, Michael Mina and Wolfgang Puck - and two new ultra nightclubs. The second phase, ending in 2007, will feature a 45-story tower with 600 hotel rooms and 200 private condos.