Boyd Gaming Corporation has opened its $130m expansion project at Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa in Michigan City, US, creating an unrivaled regional entertainment destination in north-west Indiana.
The centerpiece of the project is the Spa Blu Tower, a 22-storey, 302-room upscale hotel tower designed by leading Chicago architect Lucien Lagrange. Other new amenities include spa blu, the first spa and salon to open at a gaming resort in the Chicago area, the Stardust Event Centre, a 20,000sq.ft entertainment, meetings and special events space, and two Las Vegas-inspired restaurants and nightlife venues, It’s Vegas, Baby! and The Game.
"With this expansion, Blue Chip Casino, Hotel and Spa becomes the premier entertainment destination in the region," said Keith Smith, president and CEO of Boyd Gaming. "Visitors to Las Vegas and Atlantic City have long enjoyed resorts with a host of amenities under one roof. For the first time, we’re bringing that model to the greater Chicago area and we think it will be attractive to customers throughout the region."
The new tower is one of north-west Indiana’s tallest structures, encased in blue and green glass that evokes nearby Lake Michigan. The 272 rooms and 30 suites offer guests an upscale hotel experience. The expansion gives Blue Chip a total of 486 hotel rooms.
Blue Chip’s entertainment options have also expanded with the opening of the Stardust Event Centre, which includes a 15,000sq.ft ballroom capable of seating up to 1,200 people for live performances. For maximum flexibility, the centre can be split into up to 10 breakout meeting rooms, ranging from 850 to 2,750sq.ft.
