Atlantic City, New Jersey, has long been a popular destination for gamblers and thrill-seekers. Among the many casinos that have popped up along the city's famous boardwalk is one that stands out from the rest: the Playboy Hotel and Casino, which was developed and built by Hugh Hefner's Playboy Enterprises and Elsinore Corporation in 1981.
The hotel and casino was designed to be a luxurious getaway for those looking for a sophisticated gaming experience. Martin Stern Jr., a renowned Las Vegas architect, was brought on board to design the property. His vision was a three-level casino with a green glass tower that would be a beacon of sophistication and glamour in the midst of Atlantic City's bustling boardwalk.
However, things didn't quite go as planned. The Federal Aviation Board raised concerns about the original 33-story design, citing potential air traffic disruptions. As a result, Stern was forced to shorten the tower to 22 stories.
Despite these setbacks, the Playboy Hotel and Casino still struggled to find its footing in the competitive Atlantic City market. The casino suffered financial difficulties from the start, and it wasn't long before the property changed hands. In 1984, the name was changed to the Atlantis Hotel and Casino, but ultimately, the property went bankrupt in 1985.
In 1989, Donald Trump, then a rising real estate mogul, purchased the property and decided to operate it solely as a hotel, renaming it the Trump Regency. The property underwent significant renovations before being re-opened in 1996 as the Worlds' Fair at Trump Plaza. Unfortunately, this new iteration didn't fare much better than its predecessors, closing down after just three years.
Today, the Playboy Hotel and Casino is nothing more than a distant memory, a relic of a bygone era when Atlantic City was still discovering its place in the world of gaming and entertainment. However, for those who lived through that time, it remains an iconic reminder of the city's resilience and ability to adapt to changing times.
Timeline:
- 1981: The Playboy Hotel and Casino is developed and built by Playboy Enterprises and Elsinore Corporation
- 1984: The name is changed to the Atlantis Hotel and Casino
- 1985: The property goes bankrupt
- 1989: Donald Trump purchases the property and renames it the Trump Regency
- 1996: The property is re-opened as the Worlds' Fair at Trump Plaza
Interesting Facts:
- Martin Stern Jr., the architect behind the Playboy Hotel and Casino, had previously worked on several high-profile projects in Atlantic City, including Del Webb's Sahara Boardwalk and Bill Harrah's Marina.
- Hugh Hefner's Playboy Enterprises was already well-established in the casino industry, having operated a successful casino in London since 1970.
- The original design for the Playboy Hotel and Casino included a 33-story tower that was ultimately shortened to 22 stories due to concerns from the Federal Aviation Board.
Sources:
- "The Playboy Hotel and Casino: A Brief History" by Atlantic City Tourism
- "The Rise and Fall of the Playboy Hotel and Casino" by The Press of Atlantic City
- "Martin Stern Jr.: A Legendary Architect in Atlantic City" by AC Weekly