[smuncky]

haven't seen these renders in the past few pages. so assuming it's new.

TORONTO, Nov. 2, 2012 /CNW/ - Caesars Entertainment Corporation and Rock Gaming LLC today released its early vision for a downtown Toronto gaming entertainment facility. The renderings depict how an urban-integrated casino could be developed at one of several potential downtown sites.

Caesars and Rock Gaming are leaders in developing integrated entertainment complexes in major urban centres in North America. Caesars is also home to the most iconic names in entertainment including Celine Dion, Elton John, Shania Twain, Rod Stewart and many more.

The group's vision for a development at the Metro Toronto Convention Center (MTTC), which was recently identified as a potential casino site, focuses on a gaming entertainment complex that will serve as another world-class tourism anchor while complementing the City's pedestrian-focused layout and leveraging its robust public transit system. "We believe that the convention centre site provides a prime opportunity to achieve these important goals," said Caesars Executive Vice President of Communications and Government Relations, Jan Jones.

Highlights of the development, which would feature the "Caesars" brand, include a sophisticated and modern structure with a multi-story glass entry to integrate into the city's urban fabric. The vision also includes the creation of an urban park edged by retail, dining and year-round entertainment.

Jones said the early MTCC renderings are working concepts based on initial input from City leaders, local stakeholders and area businesses. "As stakeholder objectives are refined, we look forward to engaging several local and international architects to further develop concepts for this and other potential casino sites in downtown Toronto," Jones said.

"Regardless of the site, fundamental to our vision is designing a casino entertainment complex that builds partnerships with existing businesses - especially restaurants, hotels, entertainment and cultural venues - to attract more visitors and help all downtown businesses succeed," said Matt Cullen, president and chief operating officer of Rock Gaming.

http://www.newswire.ca/en/story/106...r-urban-integrated-casino-in-downtown-toronto

 

[jje1000]

Count me out. I was really hoping for an unique brand for Toronto, not just another Caesars. Caesars belong in Las Vegas and dying towns, not Toronto.

 

[supercilious]

My favourite is where it says: "leveraging its robust public transit system"

 

[nopacnone]

It's the third largest transit system in north america behind Mexico City and NYC! Pretty dam huge for the city's size.

 

[gabe]

Count me out. I was really hoping for an unique brand for Toronto, not just another Caesars. Caesars belong in Las Vegas and dying towns, not Toronto.

What unique brand would that be? Just about every large scale casino in the world is owned by either MGM or Caesars. I don't really see the difference between an MGM, Caesars or LV Sands property.

 

[officedweller]

I'm surprised there has been no mention of any condos in the hotel component.

Probably because money backing the casino coiuld support the hotel project. The casino operators probably don't want to deal with condo owners, either.

Are any of the Las Vegas projects mixed use with both hotels and condos in the same tower?

 

[ptbotrmpfn]

the renders above are for? Toronto? is there others of this showing the buildings as well. this ground level view if is for here is very nice. the buildings appear to have bridges. and are they a front and rear view of the whole thing. if so then are both buildings bowed?

 

[Peepers]

I'm glad to see that Caesars is favoring the convention centre site. I read that this is also the preferred location for LV Sands. This just leaves MGM - out of the big three favoring the CNE grounds. In my opinion the convention centre is the most logical site for a Casino, so much so I'm surprised no one suggested this years ago.

If this goes ahead with Caesars I would hope that we would see the same sumptuousness that Caesars Palace in Las Vegas is famous for. I don't want to see something along the lines of a Caesars Windsor.

This would be my only concern with any of these proposals. If we are going to build a casino we've got to go big and its got to be way over-the-top otherwise it will not have much value as a tourist attraction.

Imagine having our own version of the Forum Shops!


Forum Shops, Caesars Palace Las Vegas http://www.flickr.com/photos/52507897@N04/7797902138/

 

[jje1000]

What unique brand would that be? Just about every large scale casino in the world is owned by either MGM or Caesars. I don't really see the difference between an MGM, Caesars or LV Sands property.

The Costa Brava Gran Casino in Lloret de Mar, Star Casino in Sydney come to mind, as well as the Cosmopolitan and Aria Casinos in Las Vegas.

All casinos by Caesars have always had a level of tackiness in interior decoration that I don't want in Toronto. You can clearly see that that's going to happen in the renders, with statues beside the door and a big round rotunda behind that like in Windsor.

 

[Michael62]

Let them finance the LRT line from Union, under ACC and surfacing at Bremner then and out to Fort York Blvd and Bathurst. The preliminary plans for this line are in place. Let's see how interested they will be if they are required to "leverage our robust public transit system" Hell they could even have a TTC stop inside the casino, now that would be unique

 

[Critique]

^Agreed.

If this entire proposal is to go through, there needs to be some money put on infrastructure and transportation (not buses that simply drive to and from) but in LRTs or even subways (though I know that probably isn't realistic). However, if this proposal is to go through Oxford needs to prove that they are helping the city (and no, a new park and redeveloped convention center isnt going to cut it).

As for the two new renders... it is unfortunate they only show the base but the towers do look to be curved like The Bow...Also, are the buildings shown seperate from the 4 towers already proposed? Because the casino is separate right?

 

[TOareaFan]

Probably because money backing the casino coiuld support the hotel project. The casino operators probably don't want to deal with condo owners, either.

Are any of the Las Vegas projects mixed use with both hotels and condos in the same tower?

Trump comes to mind as a vegas property with hotel and condo but no casino. Vegas saw a condo boom in the early part of this century....not sure if there are any properties with all 3 components though.

 

[TOareaFan]

Let them finance the LRT line from Union, under ACC and surfacing at Bremner then and out to Fort York Blvd and Bathurst. The preliminary plans for this line are in place. Let's see how interested they will be if they are required to "leverage our robust public transit system" Hell they could even have a TTC stop inside the casino, now that would be unique

I think they would tell you that a) there is a difference between leveraging off of the robust transit system and building on to it. and b) they are happy if the city uses the money it earns from having this project on improvements to the transit system.

I think they would also point out that a lot of development takes place in this city without the developers being told to build transit lines.

 

[gabe]

The Costa Brava Gran Casino in Lloret de Mar, Star Casino in Sydney come to mind, as well as the Cosmopolitan and Aria Casinos in Las Vegas.

All casinos by Caesars have always had a level of tackiness in interior decoration that I don't want in Toronto. You can clearly see that that's going to happen in the renders, with statues beside the door and a big round rotunda behind that like in Windsor.

Aria is MGM. I love that hotel, it doesn't feel like a casino hotel resort, more like an upscale condo/shopping complex.

I guess Caesars does have a level of tackiness in some of the interiors like the lobby and casino, but the hotel rooms and restaurants are 5 star quality and not at all tacky. I'm more worried about what the outside looks like, so far going by those renderings it looks pretty good, I like the entrance i think it fits in well with the downtown.

i'm glad we didn't get this

 

[gabe]

http://www.thestar.com/news/gta/art...esars-illustrations-pro-casino-study-released

Mayor Rob Ford lauds Toronto casino as Caesars illustrations, pro-casino study released

Casino proponents have ratcheted up intense pressure with illustrations of a Caesars arcade on Front St. and an industry-funded study that says a GTA gambling complex won’t “cannibalize†local businesses.

Caesars Entertainment and development partner Rock Gaming released on Friday two artist’s renderings of an “urban integrated casino†that could be part of a redeveloped Metro Toronto Convention Centre.

One shows a “sophisticated and modern structure with a multi-storey glass entry,†with the “Caesars†name and a glimpse of luxury shops. The other shows an “urban park edged by retail, dining and year-round entertainment.â€

Councillor Adam Vaughan, one of the councillors strongly opposing a downtown casino, called the images “more fake candy†to fool the public.

Caesars, a Las Vegas-based gambling giant, has staked the Front St. site as its favourite but says its designs could be adapted to another location.

Oxford Properties, owner of the convention centre, recently released its own mock-ups of the site — including a park on space over the Rail Lands it does not control — but said the $3 billion redevelopment won’t proceed without a casino.

Also released Friday was the first of a series of studies on the proposed GTA casino by two researchers from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Kahlil Philander and Bo Bernhard surveyed peer-reviewed scientific literature and concluded “there is no strong evidence to suggest a GTA resort-casino will adversely affect nearby businesses.â€

They also predict a casino would lure “business and leisure travellers†from outside the GTA, and a small drop in lottery ticket sales would be more than offset by government revenues from the casino.

They plan to release three more GTA casino studies, all funded with a $49,350 grant from the Canadian Gaming Association. The funds sparked the studies but the researchers had complete editorial control, Berhard said.

The persuasion follows the release last week of a report by city staff, based on a consultant’s report, predicting a Toronto casino would bring a bonanza of jobs and revenue for the city of up to $195 million per year, on top of the proceeds of a sale or lease of city land.

Mayor Rob Ford is sold. Speaking to reporters during a visit Friday to the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair, Ford said he wants a casino downtown and at Woodbine racetrack.

“If they want to give me $200 million and create 10,000 jobs, how can anyone argue that?†Ford said. “That’s great for the economy, that’s fantastic and that’s what we need.â€

But Vaughan accused the casino operators, the province’s Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corp. and others of using fake images and baseless numbers in a disinformation campaign to erode opposition to a Toronto casino.

He noted a two-page OLG ad in Thursday’s Star lists total payments of $110.6 million to municipalities for hosting 30 gaming centres across Ontario. The city-hired consultant, which consulted OLG, casino operators and others, predicts Toronto alone could negotiate an OLG hosting fee of up to $168 million.

“All of these numbers are being projected off non-existent reports,†Vaughan said. “When you cross-reference them, none are real.

“What we know is real is that casinos cost jobs, limit economic growth, create congestion and are not good for cities. That’s why very few cities put them in the downtown core.â€

Ford’s executive committee is expected on Monday to authorize public consultations based on the staff casino report. Council is expected to vote in March on whether to welcome a casino