When you are traveling into Albuquerque, New Mexico on Highway 25 from the South, you aren’t seeing much. Some mountains in the distance, a town or two ever so often. Then you come around a huge curve and you see it: a large sign for the newly opened Hard Rock Hotel & Casino of Albuquerque, complete with a huge red and white guitar. You have arrived and so has the Hard Rock.
An Attraction In The Making
The Isleta Casino & Resort has been renovated, remodeled and branded. The existing casino opened in 2000 and has now become the first and only Hard Rock branded property in the state of New Mexico. A licensing agreement was reached between with the Pueblo of Isleta in October of 2009 to brand their facility as Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Albuquerque. The property underwent a multi-million dollar renovation while remaining in operation and is now in full-swing.
What’s New At The Casino
-Center Bar with TV’s playing music videos
-Rock murals
-Display cases filled with memorabilia from music artists like U2 and Michael Jackson
-200 more slot machines
-Lucha – Mexican cantina style restaurant and club
-Hard Rock merchandise in the gift shop
-Hard rocking entertainment like Ted Nugent, who is scheduled to perform in July
What This Means For Albuquerque
Isleta Pueblo Governor Robert Benavides says that the Hard Rock name will bring jobs, stimulate economic development and bring in people who are familiar with the Hard Rock name. No doubt the Hard Rock name and reputation will bring in curious travelers and tourists who want to see what it is all about. Even locals are curious about the new changes that have taken place at the former Isleta Casino.
An anonymous source who is a dealer for another local casino, verified that several employees were leaving to go to the newly revamped Hard Rock Casino & Hotel. He even stated that he would go play there himself just for the fun atmosphere and a change of pace from time to time.
History of the Hard Rock
In 1971, the first Hard Rock Café opened in London, England. Founded by Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton, they became the leading exhibitors and collectors of rock ‘n’ roll memorabilia. Global expansion began in 1982. The Rank Group acquired Hard Rock America and Hard Rock Canada in 1990 and consolidated world-wide control of the brand. The Seminole Tribe of Florida acquired Hard Rock International in 2007. The memorabilia collection of the Hard Rock contains more than 70,000 pieces that rotate from restaurant to restaurant.
The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Albuquerque is located just South of downtown Albuquerque at 11000 Broadway SE.
Resources
Hard Rock Casino Albuquerque Website
Hard Rock Corporate Website
KOAT News, Hard Rock Officially Opens in Isleta Pueblo
KRQE News, Isleta Re-Brands to Hard Rock Casino
KOAT News, Isleta Casino Betting On Hard Rock Franchise
It’s A Trip, Media Release, Hard Rock Hotel Holdings, LLC and HRHHIP LLC, Sign License Agreement with Pueblo of Isleta to Brand Expanded Facility as Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Albuquerque
