The Seminole Tribe of Florida has reportedly announced that it has begun constructing a new 14-story hotel tower for its Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa and is now hoping to open the box-shaped expansion during the first week of October.

Lobby logistics:

According to a Monday report from the Orlando Weekly newspaper, the federally-recognized tribe revealed that the coming $700 million extension will boast some 562 rooms and suites while welcoming guests via a new lobby that is set to feature a 24-karat gold leaf-plated grand piano once owned by Elvis Presley.

The newspaper reported that the coming expansion of the Hillsborough County venue is to also involve the building of a 2,000-seat entertainments center above its lobby that guests will be able to access via a pair of curved escalators. It detailed that this second-floor facility is to purportedly be joined by a 17,000 sq ft ballroom that the Florida tribe declared will host up to ‘60 major entertainment acts each year’.

Pool-side particulars:

Outside and the Orlando Weekly reported that Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa patrons will soon furthermore be able to enjoy a resort-style 60,000 sq ft deck overlooking a trio of new pools that are due to hold some 200,000 gallons of water. It explained that these amenities are to be complemented by a full-service bar and grill, 700 daybeds and lounges, 20 cabanas and a pair of deejay booths.

Casino expansion:

The newspaper reported that the expansion to the Tampa venue, which has been offering gaming since 2004, is to moreover encompass the addition of some 55,000 sq ft of gaming space to bring the total size of its casino floor up to 245,000 sq ft. The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa is already the largest casino in the southern state while the Seminole Tribe of Florida purportedly stated that it intends to fill this new space with some 1,000 slots and 41 gaming tables, which would see the giant facility’s total complement stand at approximately 5,000 slots and 179 gaming tables.

Private provisions:

As if all of this wasn’t enough, the expansion of the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa is to additionally involve the construction of a VIP gaming parlor near to the summit of the coming hotel tower complete with private elevators and an exclusive check-in area. These are to purportedly be joined by a new coffee and gelato shop as well as an Italian fine dining restaurant while guests will also be able to visit the coming 13-room Rock Spa and Salon spa to take advantage of a Turkish-style hammam steam room, a barber shop, a nail and hair salon, an aqua lounge and a pair of VIP suites.

Hollywood hubbub:

Elsewhere in ‘The Sunshine State’ and the Seminole Tribe of Florida reportedly told the Sun-Sentinel newspaper that it is planning to open the new 450-foot tall guitar-shaped hotel it is building for its Seminole Hard Rock and Casino Hollywood from October 24. This $1.5 billion facility is to purportedly feature 638 rooms and suites alongside a second lower-level building with a minimum of 160 units to bring the Broward County facility’s total room count up to 1,300.

Promotion push:

Jim Allen, Chief Executive Officer for the tribe’s Seminole Gaming enterprise, reportedly told the Orlando Weekly that the expansion of the Seminole Hard Rock and Casino Hollywood will help the operator to attract more visitors and is to be used as part of a broader marketing push.

Allen said…

“The guitar tower will attract casino players and other visitors from throughout the country and around the world. It will put south Florida on the map as a world-class gaming destination and it will have a huge economic impact on Florida. The gaming industry will never be the same.”

Employment opportunities:

Finally, the Seminole Hard Rock and Casino Hollywood will be holding a three-day jobs’ fair from Sunday in hopes of being able to hire some 600 new workers to fill a variety of security, service, housekeeping, food preparation and stewarding positions. The Seminole Tribe of Florida purportedly took on around 500 people via a similar event in June while interested parties this time around will be expected to be able to supply their resume, valid identification and Social Security card.