Golden Nugget Atlantic City

This article is about the current Golden Nugget Atlantic City. For the casino resort operated in Atlantic City in the 1980s, see The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel.
Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Address 1 Castle Boulevard
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Opening date June 19, 1985
Theme Gold Rush Era
Number of rooms 728
Total gaming space 74,252 sq ft (6,898.2 m2)
Signature attractions Farley State Marina
The Deck
Notable restaurants Chart House
Lillie's Asian Cuisine
Vic & Anthony's
Casino type Land
Owner Landry's, Inc.
Previous names Trump's Castle
Trump Marina
Renovated in 1997, 2006, 2011
Website www.goldennugget.com/atlantic city

Golden Nugget Atlantic City is a hotel, casino, and marina located in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Opened in 1985 as Trump's Castle, it was renamed Trump Marina in 1997. Landry’s purchased the casino from Trump Entertainment Resorts in February 2011, and the sale was approved in late May. Landry's took control of the property on May 23, 2011.[1]

History

The casino was built by Hilton Hotels, but that company was denied a gambling license by the State of New Jersey due to alleged ties to organized crime when the building was nearly complete and they had to sell the complex to Donald Trump.[2] It opened in 1985 as "Trump's Castle". In 1988, the casino became one of the settings for the game show version of Yahtzee. In 1990, the Trump Castle became the Setting for the game show, "Trump Card". The resort was renamed "Trump Marina" in 1997, and was sold after Trump Entertainment went through bankruptcy. Landry's purchased it, renaming it the Golden Nugget Atlantic City, and has pumped $150 million into the complex, opening new restaurants and clubs, repainting the exterior of the building, and other renovations to bring the resort up to current casino standards.

Dining

Entertainment

The resort's two entertainment venues, a 2000-seat ballroom and 462-seat theater, have played host to a wide array of entertainers including Prince, Sting, Steve Martin, Ray Charles, Billy Crystal and Aretha Franklin.

Complex

The resort sits on a 14.6 acres (5.9 ha) property and contains a 74,252 sq ft (6,898.2 m2) casino; 728 guest rooms; seven restaurants; a nightclub; a 462-seat theater; a 16,920 sq ft (1,572 m2) recreation deck with a health spa, outdoor heated pool, hot tubs, cabanas, tennis and basketball courts, and jogging track; 50,922 sq ft (4,730.8 m2) of meeting and function space; a nine-story parking garage with direct walk-through into the complex; and the 640-slip Frank Farley Marina (a public facility owned by the New Jersey Division of Parks and Forestry, managed by Landry's, Inc.).

The third level is the main area of the property. At its center is a 210 ft (64 m) long reception area from which point every amenity - the casino, ballrooms, restaurants, showroom, or meeting rooms - is within a short walk.

Sale and Redevelopment History

On May 30, 2008 it was announced that Trump Marina was being sold to Coastal Development LLC and converted into a Margaritaville-themed resort.[3]

Manhattan-based Coastal Marina LLC, the new name of Coastal Development, issued a statement on June 1, 2009 saying Trump Entertainment faxed them a letter terminating the $316 million deal. Coastal was still interested in the casino, but only if the price came down, Coastal spokesman Charlie Leonard said. The $316 million price for the second-smallest of Atlantic City's 11 casinos significantly exceeded the $200 million paid by an investor group that bought the Tropicana Casino and Resort, one of Atlantic City's largest, in April 2009.

On February 14, 2011, Trump Entertainment Resorts announced that it had reached a sale agreement with Landry's for around $28 million, far less than the price of the Coastal Marina deal. Landry's plans included rebranding the casino as the Golden Nugget, and the improvements to the property are expected to be completed by the end of 2011.[4]

Radio Transmitter

The roof of the Golden Nugget currently houses the transmitter tower and broadcast facilities of WWFP 90.5 FM[5] which is licensed to Brigantine, New Jersey and is owned by the Calvary Chapel of Marlton. The station broadcasts a Christian music format. Formerly WWFP was used as a relay of Liberty University's WVRL in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.

See also

References

  1. ↑ , The Associated Press, May 23, 2011
  2. ↑ "COMPANY NEWS; Hilton Plans to Seek Atlantic City License", The New York Times, January 30, 1991
  3. ↑ "Trump Marina to become 'Margaritaville' casino in $316M. sale", The Press of Atlantic City, May 31, 2008
  4. ↑ "Nevada's Golden Nugget to buy Atlantic City's Trump Marina", The Press of Atlantic City, Feb 14, 2011
  5. ↑ Map of WWFP-FM Transmitter site (Courtesy of Yahoo Maps)

External links

Coordinates: 39°22′43″N 74°25′45″W / 39.378547°N 74.429176°W