The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino opened its first fully integrated Canadian location today on Albion Road, with many nods to Canadiana.
The $350-million entertainment complex includes a six-storey hotel with 150 rooms and 22 suites as well as a 24-7 gaming floor, 10 bars, restaurants and lounges, and an 1,800-seat live performance venue. The 150,000-square-foot gaming space currently has about 1,000 slot machines, 40 table games, a high-limit gaming area and an open-air smoking area.
The project was first announced in May 2017 with a $320-million budget. The pandemic delayed construction, which started in June 2023.
Christine Crump, president of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Ottawa, said Thursday that opening day has been a long time coming.
“Today is incredible. You can feel the energy. It’s a fabulous vibe. We’ve been working so hard. The local team and the global team, (we) just can’t wait to share this with the city,” Crump told OBJ.
Crump gave OBJ a behind-the-scenes look at the Hard Rock Ottawa in March. While she said Ottawa’s location will have the same “look and feel” as other Hard Rocks globally, she said the team wanted to make the capital region location special.
Giovanni Taliaferro, vice-president of memorabilia and design at Hard Rock International, said Thursday that Hard Rock Ottawa is “a true celebration of Canada.”
“There’s several Canadian musicians on display here, as well as stories that kind of relate to Canada … With every project that we do, we want to make certain that we’re providing a local narrative,” Taliaferro said of the nearly 120 items on view in Ottawa.
Memorabilia displayed throughout the hotel and casino, Taliaferro said, are donated by the artists or bought at auctions around the world. He added that the items, whether related to Canadian or international artists, are significant to Canada. For example, former Beatle John Lennon’s jacket and “give peace a chance” sign are from his bed-in protest in Montreal in 1969.
Hard Rock Ottawa gives several other nods to Canada, Taliaferro said, from the big maple leaf guitar on the front entrance ceiling to art pieces commissioned by Canadian artists, including the vinyl portraits at the hotel check-in desk made by Michael Bublé’s brother-in-law, Rob Ubels.
“We want to support local businesses … We want to make certain that we’re doing our best to be great neighbours and great participants within the community,” Taliaferro said.
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The Hard Rock Center Bar shares a space with the Hard Rock Café. Photo by Marissa Galko. -
The maple leaf guitar on the ceiling of the front entrance is symbolic of Canadian music with the slashes within the maple leaf calling back to ice skating and hockey. Photo by Marissa Galko. -
Guitars used by iconic Canadian artists Joni Mitchell, Gord Downie, Avril Lavigne and Geddy Lee are displayed next to the Hard Rock Café stage. Photo by Marissa Galko. -
There are currently 1000 operational slot machines on the gaming floor. Photo by Marissa Galko. -
The Council Oak Steaks & Seafood is the location’s signature dining location. A butcher cuts dry-aged beef displayed at the front of the restaurant. Photo by Marissa Galko. -
The interior of the Council Oak, which gets its name from the tree around which the Seminole Tribe of Florida meet to go over important decisions. Photo by Marissa Galko. -
The lobby and hotel check-in of the Hard Rock Hotel, flanked by items from Mick Jagger, Carrie Underwood, Alicia Keys and Michael Bublé. Photo by Marissa Galko. -
Vinyl artist portraits made by Canadian artist Rob Ubels at the Hard Rock Hotel check-in desk. Photo by Marissa Galko. -
The Marketplace dining location features Brick’d Italian Kitchen, Constant Grind, the Marketplace Center Bar and Shawarma Shop, a nod to the city’s popular food item. Photo by Marissa Galko. -
The entrance to the high limit area, where bids start at $100, surrounded by dresses worn by Madonna, Shakira, Rihanna and Britney Spears during Canadian performances. Photo by Marissa Galko. -
The venue seats 1,900 people with a maximum capacity of 2,200 people. Photo by Marissa Galko.
