Casino Aztar Evansville
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Casino Aztar Evansville | |
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| Facts and statistics | |
|---|---|
| Address | 421 NW Riverside Drive Evansville, Indiana 47708 |
| Opening date | 1995 |
| Casino type | Riverboat |
| Theme | Las Vegas |
| Owner | Tropicana Entertainment |
| Total gaming space | 38,000 ft² |
| Signature attractions | Jillian’s Billiards Club |
| Notable restaurants | Cavanaugh's, Corky's Ribs & BBQ, Max & Ermas, Ri Ra Irish Pub |
| Website | Casino Aztar Evansville |
Casino Aztar, located in downtown Evansville, Indiana, was the first riverboat casino in the state of Indiana. The casino is owned and operated by Tropicana Entertainment a division of Columbia Sussex, which purchased original owner Aztar Corporation in 2007.[1] It is located on an 841,848-square-foot (78,210.2 m²) area at Riverfront Park on the Ohio River.[2]
The main entertainment facility consists of a 2,700 passenger riverboat casino, a 250-room hotel, a 1,660 vehicle parking garage, and pavilion housing pre-boarding facilities, retail shops, restaurants, and lounge area. A new entertainment district with a 100-room boutique hotel and additional restaurants opened in late 2006.
In 2005, the casino generated $137 million in revenue and $41 million in profits. The latest expansion is expected to generate additional revenue gains for the property and help it compete with increasing competition.[3]
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[edit] The Vessel
The actual casino boat, called "City of Evansville", is the state of Indiana's first gaming riverboat under legislation passed in 1993. It opened to the public in 1995. Built by Jeffboat in Jeffersonville, Indiana, the boat is a replica of the historic Robert E. Lee racing sidewheel steamboat crafted nearly 130 years ago. Jeffboat deployed 200 workers and spent over twelve months constructing the vessel. The exterior was designed by RA Stern, Inc. to appear as if the boat is straight from the Civil War era; the interior, designed by Morris & Brown Architects, Ltd., is purely Las Vegas glamour.
The boat is 310 feet (94 m) long by 70 feet (21 m) wide, has a depth of 14 feet (4.3 m) by 6 inches (150 mm) and stands 80 feet (24 m) above water level (including stacks). It weighs 1,589 tons and has a maximum draft of 7 feet 6 inches (2.3 m) There is a total of 47,863 square feet (4,446.6 m²) of public space.
[edit] The Hotels
Casino Aztar Hotel
The Casino Aztar Hotel opened its doors on December 17, 1996. Overlooking Casino Aztar and the Ohio River, the hotel has 250 guest room and suites; meeting, conference and banquet facilities; and a fitness room. The Casino Aztar Hotel also offers 10 suites, ranging from two and three room suites. Each suite features a whirlpool bath, sofa sleeper, wet bar, and mini-bar.
Le Merigot
Le Merigot, which opened its doors on December 28, 2006, was designed by Los Angeles-based interior designer Laurence Lee. This 100-room boutique hotel features Italian bed linens, LCD flat screen televisions in both bedroom and bath, in-room high speed Internet access, MP3 input, and glass-enclosed showers with multi-unit body sprays and overhead rain maker showerheads. The suites at Le Merigot offer guests a living and dining room area, master bedroom, and oversized bath complete with a soaking tub.
[edit] Riverfront Pavilion
Casino Aztar's Riverfront Pavilion is designed to reflect the turn-of-the-century charm of downtown Evansville. The interior feature building facades inspired by buildings that in the early 1900s graced Evansville's downtown riverfront. These facades were constructed from materials indigenous to this area. The streetscapes offer a multitude of textures and colors with a "park-like" central theme. This complex houses a variety of dining and entertainment options. An enclosed walkway links the pavilion to a 250-room hotel, complete with meeting and banquet facilities. A seven story parking garage offers over 1,600 sheltered parking spaces with easy access to the casino, hotel, and pavilion.
[edit] The District
The new Downtown Waterfront Entertainment District is a $40 million dollar expansion by Casino Aztar. The district includes a 100-room boutique hotel and a multi-venu entertainment facility centered around a riverfront park.[4] Jillian’s Billiards Club and Ri Ra Irish Pub opened to the public on September 15, 2006.[5] The Le Merigot Hotel and Blush Ultralounge and Tapas Bar opened on December 28, 2006.[6] The complex is located next to the existing hotel and across from the casino boat.
[edit] References
- ^ "Columbia completes Aztar acquisition", Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved on 2007-01-03.
- ^ Casino Aztar Evansville Website. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
- ^ Gauging Aztar's Value. The Motley Fool. Retrieved on 2007-01-05.
- ^ Downtown Waterfront Entertainment District. Veazey Parrott Durkin & Shoulders. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
- ^ The District Grand Opening. Casino Aztar. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
- ^ "Aztar to open hotel 'by the water'", Evansville Courier & Press. Retrieved on 2006-12-21.
