The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa includes a 150-room hotel, expanded gaming facilities, restaurants and performance spaces.
The transformation of the Rideau Carleton Casino into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa is one of Ottawa’s largest private construction projects. With a $350-million investment, this development expands the site into a state-of-the-art entertainment destination, adding 136,015 square feet of new infrastructure while incorporating modern construction innovations and sustainability features.
A new standard in entertainment infrastructure
The project, set to open soon, integrates entertainment, hospitality and gaming into a single world-class facility. It includes a brand-new 150-room Hard Rock Hotel, featuring 22 luxury suites and 19 accessible rooms built with an emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainable design. The Hard Rock Hotel adds 91,780 square feet of new space to the property, reinforcing its status as a premier hospitality destination.
The casino expansion, when completed, will introduce 1,500 slot machines, up to 40 live-action gaming tables, a high-limit gaming section and a dedicated baccarat room. A VIP entrance and private gaming spaces provide exclusive amenities for high-tier guests.
For entertainment, the Hard Rock Live theatre — an 1,800-seat venue designed by Montreal-based Sceno Plus — incorporates advanced acoustic engineering to deliver a world-class performance experience. The theatre’s design allows it to convert into a 2,200-standing-capacity venue or an open-floor format for galas and banquets. Additional performance stages at the Hard Rock Café, hotel lobby and The Joint will accommodate a range of live events.
Construction and infrastructure innovations
Beyond its entertainment offerings, the project includes major site enhancements to improve functionality, accessibility and efficiency:
Sustainable construction: The facility features a white roof coating to enhance energy efficiency and a hotel energy recovery system to optimize power consumption.
Transportation and accessibility: The site will accommodate 2,201 parking spaces, supporting increased guest traffic. A VIP entrance enhances exclusive guest experiences.
Heritage integration: The property retains and expands the Rideau Carleton Casino & Raceway, making it the only Hard Rock property worldwide with a standardbred harness racing track. A new paddock barn, designed for enhanced equine care, will open this summer.
Economic and employment impact
“This project will transform the hotel, entertainment, gaming and hospitality industries in the city,” says Christine Crump, president of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa. “As the new hub for entertainment in Ottawa, it will also become one of the city’s largest employers, rippling economic benefits for the City of Ottawa and beyond.”
During construction, the project has created 1,900 direct and indirect jobs, with more than 700 permanent positions to be filled upon completion, spanning hospitality, entertainment and operations.
“Our facilities are designed to offer an unparalleled guest experience,” says Matthew MacNaughton, director of facilities. “With multiple performance stages, a state-of-the-art gaming floor and a variety of dining options, our facility is setting a new standard for entertainment and hospitality in Ottawa.”
Long-term contributions and community engagement
Since 2000, the facility has contributed more than $106 million in Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation contributions to the City of Ottawa. Hard Rock Ottawa will further expand its corporate social responsibility efforts through the Hard Rock Heals Foundation, supporting local music initiatives, including the Ottawa Music Industry Coalition’s Capital Music Awards and other cultural programs. The completion of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa represents a major milestone in Ottawa’s commercial and entertainment infrastructure, reinforcing the city’s position as a premier destination for world-class gaming, hospitality and live events.
This article first appeared in the Spring 2025 special “City Building” issue of the Ottawa Business Journal. That publication is available in its digital edition below:
