By Calie Schepp

The chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida described the project being completed by more than 2,000 construction workers per day at 1 Seminole Way in Hollywood as “something very special for our guests.” But if the recent sneak preview connected to the $1.5 billion expansion at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is any indication, Marcellus Osceola’s recent observation might be the understatement of the year.

One of the more highly anticipated hospitality openings in recent South Florida memory, which includes the debut of the world’s first guitar-shaped hotel tower, is set for Oct. 24. Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming announced that the new state-of-the-art Hard Rock Live will open Oct. 25 with a concert by pop group Maroon 5. A job fair was held in June with the goal of making more than 1,200 hires.

Rendering of the new spa atrium

Aided by renderings and videos, Allen reviewed highlights associated with the project, which includes renovations to Seminole Hard Rock’s existing spaces. However, all eyes are on the tower that’s shaped like the body of a guitar, a visual that already has transformed the local skyline. The Guitar Hotel, which can be seen for miles in any direction, will stand 450 feet tall and feature 638 luxury rooms. Standard rooms, which start at 515 square feet, will come with modern furnishings and custom amenities, including 24-hour in-room dining, high-speed Wi-Fi and signature Hard Rock “Sleep Like a Rock” bedding with Egyptian cotton linen.

The new Hard Rock Live, which costs more than $125 million, boasts modern acoustics and intimate seating that promise to make the 6,500-seat theater a go-to destination for performances and concerts. After striking a partnership with the Nederlander Organization, Hard Rock also will bring top Broadway shows to Hollywood.

The area’s social scene will be heightened with the addition of Daer Nightclub, a venue that overlooks the resort’s new pool lagoon. Visitors can look forward to dancing and electronic dance music concerts.

The new 13.5-acre swimming lagoon features three experiences, including a private, tropical lagoon-style pool, a beach-themed area, and a sprawling water expanse (the equivalent of three football fields in size) that can accommodate paddleboarding, canoeing and other activities. The pool level also features “swim suites,” where patrons can walk out of their rooms onto a balcony area and down a few steps into the lagoon.

A 42,000-square-foot spa with 21 treatment rooms, wet lounges, saunas, dipping pools, a fitness center and more—as well as a 26,000-square-foot promenade area with retail stores and a glass ceiling—also will be part of the expansion. Customers may begin booking reservations at the resort on July 24. ♦