The opening of the resort is slated for 2027, with Hard Rock, an iconic hospitality brand name majority-owned by the Seminole Tribe and flaunting a solid presence both stateside and worldwide, at the helm of operations.
Hard Rock International conducted a groundbreaking ceremony for the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Athens.
The event took place at the Hellinikon Airport, which is currently transformed into a state-of-the-art home entertainment and hospitality destination, with a symbolic shovel ceremony. The Hellinikon Experience Facility held an excellent gathering of significant people, including the top executives from Hard Rock International and GEK Terna Group, government officials, esteemed political figures, and prominent participants of the local community.
The City of Dreams, based in Cyprus, off of the mainland, is anticipated to open in 2027 and is being billed as the first integrated resort of its kind in continental Europe. Among its many amenities are a gaming floor, an entertainment venue, and meeting spaces.
There will be a total of 180 tables and 1,500 gaming machines in the casino.
The project is due to cost EUR 1.5 billion ($1.65 billion), which will certainly create 3,000 construction jobs and 3,000 long-term jobs.
Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International, stated: “Today is a very special day as we celebrate this momentous occasion to bring our unique brand entertainment to Athens.”
“We are grateful to all the political leaders, our partners at Gek Terna and the people of Athens for supporting us and this project.”
George Peristeris, CEO of Gek Terna Group, commented: “We are delighted that in cooperation with a world leader in this sector, Hard Rock International, we are realizing an investment much higher than its already significant nominal value, offering Greece a development project that will be a reference point for our country’s tourism product internationally, will offer employment to thousands of people and yield significant revenues to the national budget.”
“A project with high domestic added value, as all our investments have always intended. The Integrated Resort Complex in Hellinikon is no longer a promise, a vision, or a plan. It is a project that is already being built, proving in practice that we implement our commitments.”
