Reading Time: 5 minutes
Investing in the Revival of a Great American City, Massachusetts’ First Resort and Casino brings 3,000 Permanent Jobs and New Entertainment Offerings to Region
SPRINGFIELD, Mass., Aug, 2018 — MGM Springfield, New England’s first integrated luxury resort, officially opened its doors today. The resort combines the excitement and energy of Las Vegas with the rich historical context of Springfield, a city steeped in innovation and the arts.
“Travelers seeking authentic, local experiences are rediscovering small cities across the U.S. that fuse small-town charm with the allure of big-city culture,” said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts. “With a 375-year legacy as a major crossroads of New England, Springfield is poised to join the likes of such hidden gems with the development of MGM Springfield leading a fresh wave of rediscovery in The City of Firsts.”
Inspired to drive curiosity in local heritage for a new wave of locals and visitors, MGM Springfield’s design team incorporated architectural landmarks and hundreds of locally sourced vintage treasures into the resort. From recasting the former hotel to Presidents Polk and Buchanan into a sophisticated steakhouse to restoring a 19th century arsenal and a High Gothic-style church, the development thoughtfully merges new building with historic architecture, with a resulting aesthetic that is distinctly Springfield.
Covering three city blocks in the heart of downtown, the resort features whimsical accommodations with nods to notable locals Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss) and Emily Dickinson; recognized-chef restaurants by James Beard Award-winning chef Michael Mina and Adam Sobel, and Hell’s Kitchen Season 14 winner Meghan Gill; innovative lounges; a seven-screen luxury Regal Cinemas; 10-lane bowling alley within TAP Sports Bar; a Topgolf® Swing Suite; a serene spa; an expansive public art collection; A-list entertainment; and an open-air plaza activated daily with live music, pop-up-art galleries, food trucks, events and more.
The opening follows two days of festivities at the resort. Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Mayor Domenic Sarno, Congressman Richard Neal and Gaming Commission Chairman Stephen Crosby joined MGM Resorts Chairman and CEO Jim Murren and MGM Springfield President Mike Mathis yesterday to commemorate the occasion and celebrate the 3,000 jobs created with the resort’s opening.
Governor Charlie Baker said, “Our Administration is excited to officially welcome MGM to Springfield and we look forward to the new economic and job opportunities this project will help bring throughout the region. This project is a major investment in the workforce and economy of Western Massachusetts, and will also provide support to several important partnerships between education centers and community organizations.”
As a surprise during the opening week, actor Mark Wahlberg stopped by to announce that he will be bringing his family’s famed Wahlburgers to the resort. It will be located on the corner of Main and Union Streets on the southeast corner of the MGM Springfield campus, and is expected to open in late 2019.
This morning, thousands of eager visitors lined Main Street to enjoy a celebratory procession featuring hundreds of MGM Springfield employees, Cirque du Soleil performers, The Minutemen UMASS Marching Band, Indian Motorcycles, Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno, MGM Springfield executives, community partners and the Budweiser Clydesdales.
Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno said, “I am proud and thankful of MGM’s nearly $1 billion belief, investment and partnership with our city. Here’s to continued success!”
A glimpse into MGM Springfield:
- Accommodations. MGM Springfield features 250 guestrooms including 16 suites. Design details—including factory-style paned glass and Edison bulb fixtures—harken to Springfield’s industrial roots, while eclectic artwork evokes the locale’s creative iconography, visually referencing Emily Dickinson and Dr. Seuss – such as the 1,600-square-foot Presidential Suite’s stunning hat chandelier inspired by the 500 Hats of Bartholomew Cubbins. Room reservations can be made via mgmspringfield.com. Nightly room rates start at $219.
- Gaming. Massachusetts’ first gaming resort, MGM Springfield’s 125,000-square-foot casino floor features 2,550 slot machines, 120 gaming tables, a poker room and high-limit VIP gaming lounge.
- Food & Beverage. A downtown epicurean destination, MGM Springfield offers an array of new-to-market concepts and celebrated-chef restaurants, including Italian coastal concept Cal Mare by James Beard Award-winning Chef Michael Mina and Chef Adam Sobel; fine steaks and seafood at The Chandler Steakhouse with Hell’s Kitchen season 14 winner Meghan Gill serving as executive chef; MGM’s signature TAP Sports Bar; and South End Market, a lively modern food hall boasting six casual and convenient eateries.
- Entertainment. The 8,000-seat MassMutual Center will host world tours from top artists to town beginning with Stevie Wonder on September 1. High-energy social elements like the region’s first public Topgolf Swing Suite, luxury Regal Cinemas, and TAP Sports Bar complete with a 10-lane bowling alley and arcade, bring a fun lineup of activities for all generations to downtown Springfield. The Plaza serves as an outdoor gathering space hosting interactive events designed to foster community engagement such as Beer Yoga, a pop-up art gallery by Springfield muralist John Simpson, seasonal activations and more.
- Nightlife. The art of mixology is a definitive experience across the resort at destination venues including Lobby Bar, Knox Bar and Commonwealth. From expertly crafted classics to creative libations, each beverage menu spotlights freshly pressed juices, house-made elixirs and locally sourced ingredients. Destined to be Springfield’s newest hot spot, Commonwealth Bar and Lounge features DJs or live entertainment nightly and is home to the $25,000 Indian Sidecar – made with a rare 1901 Croizet Cognac and includes an authentic Indian Motorcycle.
- Art & Culture. Drawing inspiration from the city’s legacy rich in art and culture, MGM Springfield features a curated collection from local and national artists. From large-scale sculptures to intriguing paintings, talent is displayed through dozens of commissioned and procured works throughout the resort. Mia Pearlman’s The Flying Tidings Whirled sculpture commemorates the resilience of Springfield following the devastating 2011 tornado, while contemporary artist Jeppe Hein’s bright red Bench of Expectation catches the attention of passersby in The Plaza with its winding loops and slides, inviting them for a sit or to marvel at its creativity.
- Spa & Pool. Guests and locals needing to recharge can find indulgence at MGM Springfield’s full-service spa complete with seven treatment rooms, couples’ suites and a warm design inspired by New England’s signature maritime style. A separate salon for men and women hosts an in-house barbershop – with a chair dedicated to Springfield Mayor Domenic Sarno’s dad, a longtime local barber. An 8,000-square-foot pool provides a summertime urban escape.
- Retail. MGM Springfield’s retail lineup includes Springfield-born Indian Motorcycle’s first-ever apparel boutique alongside regionally revered brands Hannoush Jewelers and Kringle Emporium, whose new flagship is located in the former French Congregational Church, originally built in 1887 and moved 600 feet to its new home.
- Meetings & Events. With approximately 34,000 square feet of versatile space, MGM Springfield’s meeting and event center features ballrooms, meeting rooms and boardrooms adjacent to a 6,200-square-foot outdoor terrace that floods pre-function areas with natural light. For indoor-outdoor space with a historical twist, guests can host events in the resort’s castle-like Armory, which was built in 1895 and restored to its current spectacular state by the MGM Resorts’ design team.
From the Basketball Hall of Fame — a shrine to the sport in its founding locale, to The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum — Springfield is home to unique and unexpected cultural attractions. MGM Springfield is surrounded by landmarks such as HH Richardson Courthouse and City Hall, counting the riverfront, MassMutual Center, Symphony Hall and Union Station among its prestigious neighbors. The central downtown location allows guests to explore spontaneously or navigate a more robust travel experience aboard The Loop, a new free-to-ride transportation service linking downtown tourist spots, hotels, restaurants and cultural districts. Opening today in conjunction with the resort, The Loop connects Springfield’s most iconic sites including Union Station, State Armory, Springfield Museums, Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame and MGM Springfield.
Located just 80 miles west of Boston with immediate access to Interstate 91 and the Mass. Pike, as well as nearby Bradley International Airport in Hartford, Conn. and the Amtrak-serviced Union Station, MGM Springfield is well connected and will be easily accessible to local and global travelers.
About MGM Resorts International:
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 28 unique hotel offerings including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. Expanding throughout the U.S. and around the world, the company opened MGM Cotai in Macau in February 2018. It is also developing MGM Springfield in Massachusetts and debuting the first international Bellagio branded hotel in Shanghai. The 78,000 global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies®. For more information visit us at www.mgmresorts.com.
Source: MGM Resorts International
Source: European Gaming Industry News
