Project description: Harrah’s Hotel & Casino is transforming into Caesars New Orleans with a $435 million transformation that will merge the Caesars Entertainment brand with New Orleans culture and hospitality. The newly-reimagined casino and hotel consists of massive exterior and interior updates, sportsbook, poker room, new amenities such as a 340-room hotel tower, Nobu hotel and restaurant, various new dining options complete with a new food hall and high-end restaurants, and development of the unoccupied area on the second floor of the casino.

Project cost: $435 million
Start date: 2021
Completion date: Labor Day Weekend 2024
Owner/developer: Caesars Entertainment, Inc.
Construction teams: AECOM Tishman, Ryan Gootee General Contractors
Architecture/design teams: Perez, Arcadis, JCJ, and Rockwell

The casino is always open, even where there is $435 million worth of construction all around it.

 

That has been the most challenging task, yet most rewarding accomplishment over the last three years, said Kennedy Smith, vice president of marketing for Caesars Entertainment.

“The logistics of this type of massive project from service to operations to regulatory, all around a 24-7, 365 days a week operating gaming facility, are pretty daunting,” said Smith. “But the fact that we have been able to stay open for the last three years and work together to make this happen, from our construction partners and design teams, to employees, and to the patience of our visitors, has been a remarkable feat that we are proud of.”

 

Caesars Entertainment, Inc., the parent company of Harrah’s New Orleans, is transforming into Caesars New Orleans as part of a $435 million renovation. The finished result will “merge the iconic Caesars entertainment brand with New Orleans culture and hospitality,” said Smith.

Labor Day weekend 2024 is the projected completion date, said Smith.

“We are feverishly marching towards a Labor Day weekend finish line. With any project of this size, there may be changes and updates, but at this point, that’s when we anticipate all of our construction to be completed,” said Smith. “That’s a testament to everyone involved that we have been able to remain on schedule.”

 

In June of 2019, Caesars Entertainment was awarded an extension to its operating contract, allowing operation until 2054. As part of the extension agreement, Caesars Entertainment will provide millions in tax revenue to New Orleans and Louisiana while creating 600 construction jobs during development and 500 sustainable and new jobs following the construction phase.

 

The newly-reimagined casino and hotel consists of massive exterior and interior updates, addition of new amenities such as a 340-room hotel tower, a Nobu hotel and restaurant, various new dining options complete with a new food hall and high-end restaurants, and development of the unoccupied area on the second floor of the casino. The casino has 115,000 square feet of gaming of 1,300 slot machines, 120 table games, a sportsbook, and World Series of Poker room.

 

The 12,000 square foot food hall features Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay, Nina Compton’s Creole Cottage, and Pizzacake by Buddy Valastro. The casino also includes Emeril’s Brasserie and Emeril’s Petite Brasserie at the Canal Street entrance. Additional options include The Steakhouse, 2Geaux Pho Bar, Lucky Dogs, and 501 Coffee. Nobu Restaurant is marching towards a Labor Day weekend opening. Nobu and Emeril’s Brasserie will both be available to the general public including those under the age of 21

 

“I was born and raised here, so was our general manager,” said Smith. “It was critical to maintain the New Orleans culture in this transformation, and we have therefore embraced local partners with long-time Caesars partners that for example, you can see in the diverse dining options we have brought on board.”

 

McAlister’s Deli, Fuddruckers, Starbucks, and the buffet will not return. The former buffet area has housed high-limit games over the last year. By the fall, a “new high limit gaming experience with table games and slots will return to its old area that people remember,” said Smith. “We understand folks don’t like their cheese to be moved. We appreciate the patience, and everything will return like they remember, but with even a better high-limit gaming experience.”

 

In the same area where high-limit was, the million dollar question is ‘What’s been behind the long wall since the beginning of the project as visitors come up from the escalator from the parking garage?’ It’s the foundation for the new 340-room hotel tower erected above the existing casino valet porte cochère. There will also be a Caesars lobby at the ground level with a statue of Caesar and then two escalators that lead up to the second floor of the hotel to check in. “That will be our main entrance and valet service for both the casino and hotel,” Smith said.

 

The center bar area, formerly known as Masquerade, will get a new name soon, said Smith, as the rebranding and transformation continue across the casino. “That’s the nucleus and centerpiece of our entertainment with a bar, lounge, cocktails, music, and energy that our visitors will enjoy,” said Smith.

 

The second floor of Masquerade will be the hotel’s front desk and have a lounge overlooking the Mississippi River, and a coffee and Sundries shop. Caesars is also working with Spiegelworld to bring adult circus comedy shows and entertainment to the casino and hotel. “We are not only catering to the gaming experience, but also a dynamic hospitality experience for everyone,” Smith said.