Unfinished Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood Guitar Tower Braces for Hurricane Dorian

Posted on: August 30, 2019, 11:18h. 

Last updated on: August 30, 2019, 12:46h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

The Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood guitar hotel tower is bracing for its first major hurricane test, and it comes just as construction workers were hoping to complete the towering 450-feet architectural marvel.

Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood hurricane
A powerful hurricane is coming the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood’s way. (Image: Seminole Hollywood)

Hurricane Dorian, a potential Category 4 storm when it makes landfall sometime early Tuesday, is expected to hit Florida not far from the casino. The National Weather Service currently has the path entering the state at West Palm Beach – just 40 miles north of the resort.

A recent construction update from the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood shows some of the blue glass exterior walls remain unfinished on the 36-floor, 638-room hotel. The $1.5 billion project – which includes a new Oasis Tower and its 168 rooms and 13.5-acre pool complex – is slated to open October 24, and reservations are being accepted.

In the interim, Mother Nature is readying to rock Southern Florida.

As the hurricane approaches, we will update with information regarding operating hours,” Hard Rock said. “We hope that everyone is safe! As it stands now, our casino floor remains open for business.”

Adjacent to the Hollywood resort is the Seminole Classic Casino, and located about 15 miles north is the Seminole Casino Coconut Creek. All stand to be impacted by Dorian. Seminole Brighton Casino is also currently in Dorian’s planned path in Central Florida, just northwest of Lake Okeechobee.

Seminole Refuge

It was less than two years ago that Hurricane Irma devastated the Caribbean and Florida. The Category 5 storm was responsible for 134 fatalities and $77.2 billion worth of damage.

Five million Southwest Florida residents were left without power for days and weeks, and that’s when the Seminole Tribe stepped in. The Hard Rock Hollywood and the tribe’s Coconut Creek casinos both opened up their doors with air conditioning running, thanks to large backup generators.

Less than a month later, the Hard Rock Hollywood held a charity poker tournament to benefit Feeding South Florida – a non-profit that made sure those in need in the wake of the hurricane destruction had water, food, and other essential supplies.

Casinos Give Back

The gaming industry takes its share of criticism from opponents who believe it’s a “sin industry.” But when disaster strikes, casinos are often at the forefront of the recovery effort.

In 2017, casinos in Macau collectively gave almost $27 million to recovery programs after Typhoon Hato caused $2 billion worth of damage. Back in the US that same year, Wynn Resorts gave $3.5 million, and Centaur Gaming held a fundraiser for displaced animals following the Category 4 Hurricane Harvey that hit Texas.

In 2018, Ocean Casino in Atlantic City offered free lodging for displaced people impacted by Hurricane Florence. And in February of this year, the Poarch Band of Creek Indians – a tribe that operates casinos through its Wind Creek Hospitality subsidiary – covered 27 funeral expenses for those who were killed in an Alabama tornado.

The American Gaming Association says US gaming companies donated $367 million to charitable causes in 2017, and their employees completed 422,000 hours of community volunteer service.