Atlantic City's Borgata Casino announces $55M hotel tower remodel and rebrand

Atlantic City’s Borgata Hotel Casino has announced a $55 million tower remodel that will see the property’s The Water Club hotel rebranded to the MGM Tower. The updated tower will feature 700+ “reimagined” guestrooms and add a collection of luxury Vista Suites located at the tower’s corners, allowing for wraparound views of the Atlantic City skyline.

The project comes as the MGM Resorts-run casino prepares to celebrate its 20th anniversary, and promises to deliver “one of the city’s premier luxury resort experiences” upon completion. The remodel spans several aspects, from arrival to new accommodations reflecting a contemporary style with nautical design elements inspired by the Marina District.

In a press release, MGM described the upcoming rooms as “light and airy,” featuring “bright yet warm” decor with a nautical palette of neutral and blue tones, accented with wood finishes for “a sophisticated coastal feel.” As for the new Vista Suites, these will feature an expansive living space, private bedroom, two bathrooms and a spacious dining area.

Corey Sanders, COO for MGM, said: "Introducing the MGM Tower connects Borgata with the unparalleled entertainment and resort experiences MGM Resorts is recognized for worldwide. We are incredibly proud of Borgata and its industry-leading team of employees, and we believe this significant reinvestment will drive visitation to Atlantic City well into the future."

Remodeled rooms in the MGM Tower will be available beginning in April with the project slated for completion by Memorial Day weekend. Borgata is also introducing a 9,000-square-foot event space on the 32nd floor that features “unrivaled views and exceptional tailor-made event capabilities” in the location of the former Immersion Spa.

"As we approach the resort's 20th anniversary, we are more committed than ever to remaining a leader in hospitality and entertainment by continuing to evolve the Borgata experience," said Travis Lunn, the resort's President & COO. "We look forward to sharing our new vision with Borgata's incredible guests in the coming months."

The MGM Tower was designed in partnership between the MGM Resorts International Design Group and the award-winning interior design firm RVD Associates. The parties worked under the concept of a design motif that embraces the property’s natural geographic surroundings and the water views of the Marina District. “Clean white lines complemented by bold vibrant accents will deliver a fresh and contemporary spirit throughout the tower,” said MGM.

Borgata’s The Water Club thus joins other hospitality properties in the gaming mecca undergoing facelifts, points out CoStar. This includes The Showboat Resort, with a commitment to $50 million in improvements as well as adding a $100 million indoor water park planned to open this summer; Caesars Entertainment’s $400 million revamp of its three Atlantic City properties; and millions of dollars of improvements at Ocean Casino Resort.

The move also comes as the national hotel occupancy rate sits at about 63%, back near its pre-pandemic level, according to hospitality data firm STR. However, high-interest rates and fears of a recession have slowed the pace of commercial real estate deals, making investments such as the Borgata's more notable.

The Borgata Hotel and Casino is located off the Boardwalk in the Marina District of Atlantic City. It is owned by Vici Properties and operated by MGM and, at 2,798 rooms, its hotel is the largest in New Jersey. It also has 161,000-square-foot of casino space, offering about 4,000 slot machines, 180 table games, and 50 poker tables.