One month before opening day, work is finishing up at new Hollywood Casino Aurora
Work is nearing completion on the $360 million Hollywood Casino Aurora, set to open June 24 as a full entertainment complex replacing the downtown riverboat.Summary
Work is nearing completion on the $360 million Hollywood Casino Aurora, located along Farnsworth Avenue and Bilter Road, set to open on June 24 and replace the longtime downtown riverboat. The new complex, described by Vice President and General Manager Greg Moore as “an absolute evolution,” will feature a casino, hotel, entertainment venue, outdoor courtyard, spa, and multiple restaurants, including partnerships with celebrity chefs. The casino floor, expected to accommodate around 1,200 people, will include the main “O Bar,” an Asian restaurant called “Red Lotus,” an entertainment bar called “& Vine,” and a sports bar with a retail sportsbook. The first restaurant guests will encounter is Sorella, an Italian steakhouse by celebrity chef Giada De Laurentiis, followed by the Boulevard Food & Drink Hall, which offers counter-service options like Tabo Sushi by James Beard Award-winning chef Takashi Yagihashi and Urbanbelly by renowned chef Bill Kim. The complex also includes Drift Spa, a 226-room hotel with high-end suites, a fitness center, and a 12,000-square-foot event center capable of hosting weddings and live acts such as X Ambassadors and The Marshall Tucker Band. The project aims for LEED certification and will be supported by a $50 million upfront payment from Penn Entertainment, with the downtown riverboat set to be demolished and the riverfront area restored.
(Source：Chicago Tribune)