Music royalty came out in force last May to mark the grand opening of the new Hard Rock Northern Indiana, owned by Spectacle Entertainment and operated by Hard Rock International.
Members of the legendary Jackson 5 were on hand for the traditional guitar-smashing ceremony, after which the doors opened to an all-new state-of-the-art entertainment center.
Located in Gary, Indiana, near the South Shore of Lake Michigan, Hard Rock brings world-class gaming to the Hoosier State, and the first land-based casino to Indiana’s northwest gaming corridor. SOSH Architects, the architect of record and exterior design lead, collaborated with interior designers the Friedmutter Group on a vision for the property, which serves up Hard Rock style at every turn.
Spanning 215,000 square feet, the new property offers a gaming floor with 1,600 slot machines and 80 table games. Its five restaurant offerings include the upscale Council Oak Steaks and Seafood, and the signature Hard Rock Café. The complex also features a Hard Rock-branded retail shop and a 2,000-seat cutting-edge entertainment venue, Hard Rock LIVE.
The fun begins at the entryway, where visitors are welcomed by a 37-foot-tall guitar sign, modeled on an instrument owned by Jackson family patriarch Joe Jackson. Inside, they’re greeted by a spectacular guitar chandelier and some 170 pieces of music memorabilia showcased throughout the casino. Gary natives the Jacksons are well represented; guests can view Michael Jackson’s iconic glove and his red leather jacket from the “Beat It” video. Mementoes from other Indiana artists, including John Mellencamp and Axl Rose, are also on display.
“Music is inherent in the brand,” said Jeff Clayton, director of entertainment at Hard Rock Casino Northern Indiana, at the grand opening. “The intention is to serve all genres, all types of fans. ‘All Is One’ is part of our motto, and we plan to be very diverse in that context.”
Groundbreaking on the property took place in January 2020, and construction continued throughout the pandemic. The site leaves room for future growth, including a hotel and parking garage.
Greg Gibson, vice president of Spectacle Entertainment, hailed the facility as “a product of much hard work and those who believed the city of Gary was destined for greater things.”
OWNER: Spectacle Entertainment
OPERATOR: Hard Rock International
ARCHITECT OF RECORD, EXTERIOR DESIGN: SOSH Architects
INTERIOR DESIGN: Friedmutter Group
CONTRACTOR: TN Ward
INVESTMENT: $300 million
