Caesars Entertainment making major investment in Baltimore to create entertainment district.

[KSweeley 10]

Well this is very interesting, despite Baltimore's safety image problems and increased casino competition, Caesars Entertainment is making a multi-million dollar investment in Baltimore in order to create an entertainment district that would seamlessly connect the casino area with the Inner Harbor area: http://www.baltimoresun.com/business/bs-bz-horseshoe-casino-baltimore-20180228-story.html

Caesars, losing business at Horseshoe Casino to increased competition and Baltimore’s image problems, is doubling down on its bet on the city.

State land records show the casino’s partnership group is spending millions to buy up properties around the casino in South Baltimore to push a transformation of the gritty industrial area of warehouses and parking lots into a more inviting entertainment district.

The goal, ultimately, is to establish a sports and entertainment district that connects the casino through the football stadium and baseball park to the Inner Harbor.

Caesars, the Las Vegas-based casino and resort giant, said it hopes to create Baltimore’s “next great entertainment district” to lure Baltimoreans and tourists beyond the stadiums and Inner Harbor, but said it would be premature to discuss specific plans for its new properties.

Acquisitions include an old warehouse on Warner Street between Horseshoe and M&T Bank Stadium for $4.8 million and an office building across the street for $3.2 million. The partnership also has options on two city-owned parking lots on Ostend and Warner streets.

[Marshan Man 18,134]

Looking to tie-in with this...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/music/midnight-sun-blog/bs-fe-hammerjacks-update-20180314-story.html

[Pickle20 88,207]

That's good news. Still a casino and a place that's always trying to separate you from your money, but it's better than what's there now, which is nothing.

[Guido2 0]

4 hours ago, Pickle20 said:

That's good news. Still a casino and a place that's always trying to separate you from your money, but it's better than what's there now, which is nothing.

One of the few times that I agree with you.

Call me when there is shovel in the ground. 

[daravenator 262,116]

south side of m and t stadium is run down in some areas. Gordon Ramsey might have set the stage with his restaurant.

[daravenator 262,116]

philly has a nice Comcast complex outside the ball stadium.

[Bartman 67,479]

I have yet to set foot in Horseshoe and likely never will. My LV trips and now, I'm typing this on my laptop here in AC at Harrah's, are the Only times I Gamble. For me it's always been about getting Away to Stay & Play. I have no desire to drive to a Casino to play then come right back home. To me that's like getting Drunk sitting on the couch watching TV. What's the Point?

[Ode2Joy 0]

9 hours ago, Bartman said:

I have yet to set foot in Horseshoe and likely never will. My LV trips and now, I'm typing this on my laptop here in AC at Harrah's, are the Only times I Gamble. For me it's always been about getting Away to Stay & Play. I have no desire to drive to a Casino to play then come right back home. To me that's like getting Drunk sitting on the couch watching TV. What's the Point?

Cool story, bro. 

It's all good as long as the state adds reminders and PSAs where people can get help for their gambling addiction whenever they promote bad habits for the state's gain.   

[Eastside Terp 9,199,308]

10 hours ago, Bartman said:

I have yet to set foot in Horseshoe and likely never will. My LV trips and now, I'm typing this on my laptop here in AC at Harrah's, are the Only times I Gamble. For me it's always been about getting Away to Stay & Play. I have no desire to drive to a Casino to play then come right back home. To me that's like getting Drunk sitting on the couch watching TV. What's the Point?

Dang, if they read this they might cancel the project .....

Please consider editing for the good of the people ....

[Guido2 0]

So much for the highly skilled training and paychecks for the citizens of Baltimore.

But heck they are trying. 

[EL-FLIPPO 1,192,865]

The original Marketplace was ahead of its time...

[Eastside Terp 9,199,308]

2 hours ago, EL-FLIPPO said:

The original Marketplace was ahead of its time...

Lot of great happy hours at the fish market....

[AugusteDupin 0]

On 3/26/2018 at 4:37 PM, Marshan Man said:

Looking to tie-in with this...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/music/midnight-sun-blog/bs-fe-hammerjacks-update-20180314-story.html

No, Ceasar's wouldn't want any part of the East vs West shenanigans. They're trying to lure out of towners who are willing to "pay to play". 

[Baltimatt 2,198,290]

On 3/28/2018 at 10:10 PM, Bartman said:

I have yet to set foot in Horseshoe and likely never will. My LV trips and now, I'm typing this on my laptop here in AC at Harrah's, are the Only times I Gamble. For me it's always been about getting Away to Stay & Play. I have no desire to drive to a Casino to play then come right back home. To me that's like getting Drunk sitting on the couch watching TV. What's the Point?

No chance of a DWI.

[Marshan Man 18,134]

6 hours ago, AugusteDupin said:

No, Ceasar's wouldn't want any part of the East vs West shenanigans. They're trying to lure out of towners who are willing to "pay to play". 

What are you talking about?

[Bartman 67,479]

On 3/29/2018 at 8:28 AM, Eastside Terp said:

Dang, if they read this they might cancel the project .....

Please consider editing for the good of the people ....

My old Gambling Buddy goes to Horseshoe every week now when he used to take a bus every week to the Taj in AC. Well he's retired and that's always been his thing. For some, well whatever floats your boat. Just saying, for one I don't have the Big Pockets to gamble every week like him and the other is that for me it was always about getting Away to Stay & Play. Doing all that somewhere else and enjoying the sights, places and everything I don't get to see here. Going here to the casino every week, I just have no desire to do that even if I had the bucks. We were in LV again back in Dec and as I mentioned before that was probably my Last trip out there. We did that 2 weeks a year Summer & Winter for like 10 years. So we've been all over and there are few places we haven't been in LV. I drove all over the place and know how to get anywhere out there. Now I'm 65 and just don't feel like going thru the All Day air travel ordeal anymore. This AC trip last week was my longest stay there ever, 4 nites Mon-Fri, usually I just stayed 3 nites mid-week. Think I'll do Mon-Fri from now on. I can drive there no sweat in 3hrs & change listening to my tunes or audiobooks and know the route I drive like the back of my hand, I've done it dozens of times. AC ain't LV but it'll do. Biggest things I'll miss are the Cheap Eats at all the Off-Strip places in LV and of course lower table minimums out there. I ain't gambling here, period.

[Guido2 0]

Bartman.....since you are familiar with AC. I have a real question.....do they still have ...deals...that is....if you gamble there you might get some sort of discounts for rooms and such? Reason I ask is that my sister's family lives in Ventnor City. And instead of renting a dull room....I figured it might be fun for my wife an I to stay at one of the casino's. 

Not important...just wondering. 

Edited April 10 by Guido2

[DaJellyBelly 10]

I get comp room offers all the time from Resorts, also, free tickets for shows.

[Pickle20 88,207]

I love Resorts. Next time I go to AC, I'm not leaving that casino. Not that there's many others to check out.

Edited April 10 by Pickle20

[Bartman 67,479]

11 hours ago, Guido2 said:

Bartman.....since you are familiar with AC. I have a real question.....do they still have ...deals...that is....if you gamble there you might get some sort of discounts for rooms and such? Reason I ask is that my sister's family lives in Ventnor City. And instead of renting a dull room....I figured it might be fun for my wife an I to stay at one of the casino's. 

Not important...just wondering. 

You need to get on the Casino Players Card/Clubs to get anything. You have to sign up at the Casinos. You won't find anything Ahead of time from Anyone! It's called Total Rewards for Caesars/Harrah's chain, 24K Select for the Nugget, MLife(MGM) for the Borgata, Diamond Club for the Trop, Resorts has their Star Card. It's all on how many Points you make Gambling. Simply it's how much Cash you Drop. These days it takes a fair amount of Play to get Anything. IE my Gambling Buddy who goes to Horseshoe every week gets to stay in LV Free on his Comp, he's Platinum and working towards Diamond. I don't dump enough Cash to get Squat! He can do the same in AC but it's been years since he's been there. He used to go up on a Bus & play at the Taj every week till they closed. I suggested maybe in Sept since we're not going to LV anymore, he can drive up with me and he can stay at Caesars and I'll go over to Harrah's or maybe the Nugget if I can get a good rate there as I can play my game (Pai Gow Poker) at $15/hand where it's $25 everywhere else. You might be able to swing lower rates now till Memorial Day then again after Labor Day. They jack their rates then like everyone else for the Summer season. One thing to try is the Expedia App on your Phone, I stumbled upon a Deal at the Nugget for $39/nite a while back. You never know! After you get in the Clubs you will at least get either E-Mail or Post Mail flyers with deals like 2 for 1 Buffets and other things even at a Low level of play. They just want you to keep coming back.

Edited April 11 by Bartman

[Bartman 67,479]

5 hours ago, Pickle20 said:

I love Resorts. Next time I go to AC, I'm not leaving that casino. Not that there's many others to check out.

I stayed at Resorts a couple times long ago before their Remodel. Went thru there one day the other week on my stay. Not much going on that early afternoon. Still lots of Older machines and few people at the tables. Did hit an old Quarter Double Diamond 5 line 3 reeler, $1.25/spin for like $230 though after just a few spins then left. Parking was Free though. If you like Margaritaville & the Land Shark Bar & Grill, OK but otherwise there wasn't much for me to stick around for. I'm leaning towards making the Nugget my Base there from now on. It's smaller, the Rooms are pretty good, I stayed there 4yrs ago and liked it. Harrah's gives me decent prices but their place is just TOO Big to walk thru all the time and I can't play my Pai Gow Poker there for $25/hand, that's too steep for me, I can do that at the Nugget for $15/hand.

 

Edited April 11 by Bartman

[cprenegade 161,680]

On 3/26/2018 at 4:37 PM, Marshan Man said:

Looking to tie-in with this...

http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/music/midnight-sun-blog/bs-fe-hammerjacks-update-20180314-story.html

Call me cynical, but I don't think the "new" version of Hammerjacks will be all that successful.  Why would it be any more successful than the version which was open in the early 2000's?  Hammerjacks was more about an attitude and atmosphere more than anything else.  They struck lightning in a bottle with an out of the way club that catered to the hard rock crowd.  The first incarnation of Hammerjacks was a gutted rowhouse on South Charles street in the late 1970's.  It started as a biker bar, but quickly gained a reputation as a hard rock/heavy metal favorite location.  They featured a steady diet of AC/DC, Ramones, Judas Priest and other metal/punk bands of the time.  That place was way to small for the amount of people it started to attract.  Long lines to get in as you had to wait for so many people to exit were common.  The bathrooms were horrible and it was quite common to go around the corner and see a bunch of guys (and some girls) lined up peeing against the brick wall.  

They remodeled an old warehouse in a desolate location under the 95 overpass in the early 80's and reopened.  It was a perfect location for the club.  Lots of parking on a gravel stone lot and no neighbors to complain about the loud noise and drunken patrons.  That place was packed with shoulder to shoulder people every Friday and Saturday night.  Girls in leather and spandex would get up and dance on every bar.  At one time I read, though can't confirm it, that Hammerjacks was the largest yearly seller of Budweiser beer east of the Mississippi river.  Even on weeknights and holidays (it was open 365 days a year) there was still a decent crowd pouring in by the time it got to be 10-11pm.  But a lot of it had to do with environment and the times.  It was one of the few hard rock venues of the time and clearly the largest.   All the Towson bars catered to the preppy crowd.  Other places in the city were small dives that could barely hold 100 people.  It was the only place you could go that would hold that many people, play a steady diet of heavy metal music at ear splitting volume, and serve alcohol by the gallons.  

By the early 90's things began to change.  The music scene changed and the crowd that made Hammerjacks what it was gradually began to fade out as they got older.  The last time I was there was around 93-94 when I a took a work associate who was a transplant from Pittsburgh to an Oriole game at Camden Yards.  After the game we went over to Hammerjacks.  It was a shell of what it was.  The crowd was much smaller, the music was different, all of the old atmosphere from the 80's was just about gone.  I never went to the new one that opened in the 2000's, but I heard from people that did that it wasn't the same.  

I'll be the first to admit if I am wrong, but too many things are different now for me to believe this incarnation of Hammerjacks will do any better than the one in the 2000's.  Obviously the music can't be the same because that won't attract people these days.  But that was part of the Hammerjacks drawing power.  It was largest venue around and the only one doing what they were doing at the time.  And they had a dedicated following, some of whom were there almost every single night.  There's competition out there now.  I seriously doubt they will be able to attract the crowds like they once did to have the success they had.  

PS.  I still have a few of their famous black and yellow bumperstickers that read HAMMERJACKS with the 1101 S. Howard Street Baltimore address underneath.  

 

[Guido2 0]

9 hours ago, Bartman said:

You need to get on the Casino Players Card/Clubs to get anything. You have to sign up at the Casinos. You won't find anything Ahead of time from Anyone! It's called Total Rewards for Caesars/Harrah's chain, 24K Select for the Nugget, MLife(MGM) for the Borgata, Diamond Club for the Trop, Resorts has their Star Card. It's all on how many Points you make Gambling. Simply it's how much Cash you Drop. These days it takes a fair amount of Play to get Anything. IE my Gambling Buddy who goes to Horseshoe every week gets to stay in LV Free on his Comp, he's Platinum and working towards Diamond. I don't dump enough Cash to get Squat! He can do the same in AC but it's been years since he's been there. He used to go up on a Bus & play at the Taj every week till they closed. I suggested maybe in Sept since we're not going to LV anymore, he can drive up with me and he can stay at Caesars and I'll go over to Harrah's or maybe the Nugget if I can get a good rate there as I can play my game (Pai Gow Poker) at $15/hand where it's $25 everywhere else. You might be able to swing lower rates now till Memorial Day then again after Labor Day. They jack their rates then like everyone else for the Summer season. One thing to try is the Expedia App on your Phone, I stumbled upon a Deal at the Nugget for $39/nite a while back. You never know! After you get in the Clubs you will at least get either E-Mail or Post Mail flyers with deals like 2 for 1 Buffets and other things even at a Low level of play. They just want you to keep coming back.

Thanks for all the intel! Yikes

[Boobie 0]

just what Baltimore needs, more people with little money and a new casino...lol

[Pickle20 88,207]

On 4/16/2018 at 8:55 PM, Boobie said:

just what Baltimore needs, more people with little money and a new casino...lol

So only Baltimore residents can gamble there? The Balt/DC metro area is the wealthiest, of one of the wealthiest, metro areas in the country. There’s plenty of money here. Take off your city blinders. 

Edited April 23 by Pickle20