A Jacobs Entertainment official today introduced the development of 750-room resort J to the northern Nevada market. Resort J spent $300 million to redevelop the former Sands Regency. The property anchors the Reno Neon Line, a half-mile long arts and entertainment area featuring a monumental collection of sculptures and a festival venue that can accommodate up to 6,000 sponsors.
The first phase of J Resort’s development is scheduled to be completed in June, but given the strong interest in the project, Jacobs Entertainment officials have decided to immediately open half the casino floor and 500 newly remodeled rooms.
“After five years of land assembly, design, and construction, we are pleased to announce today J Resort, Jacobs Entertainment’s flagship property and Nevada’s first arts and entertainment-themed resort property,” said Jeff Jacobs, CEO of Jacobs Entertainment. “Resort J is raising the bar for all resort properties in northern Nevada. In addition to the sculptures on display along Reno’s neon line, we will highlight more than $100 million worth of paintings and sculptures across the entire J Resort property.”
John East, chief operating officer of Jacobs Entertainment, will ensure a strong initial chapter for this particular property as interim president of J Resort.
John East, chief operating officer of Jacobs Entertainment and interim president of J Resort, said, “As owners of several Gold Dust West properties in Northern Nevada for more than 20 years, we understand the importance of providing excellent service to our loyal local customers.” “Our reputation for high levels of food and customer service as well as strong game value will continue at our latest property, Resort J. On behalf of more than 500 colleagues, I can say that we look forward to providing great service and fun time to local customers and out-of-town visitors.”
Phase One J Resort Amenities will be completed and opened in June, and will include:
Fully renovated casinos, including over 600 gaming jobs
More than 1,000 above-ground parking spaces for valet parking and self-parking
Hannah’s Table – New 3-Dining Restaurant Featuring Seasonal Outdoor Restaurant
J Paul’s Italian Steakhouse
additional artwork
Afterglow Lounge
It is America’s first 24-hour, 365-day outdoor digital art wall. This 65 x 65 foot viewing screen will display cutting-edge digital art videos. For more than a year, Jacobs Entertainment officials have been working with digital artists around the world to create visual content that can only be described as “must-see.”
Jonathan Boulware, Regional Vice President of Jacobs Entertainment, said, “With the opening of half the new casino and more than 500 newly remodeled rooms, we are preparing for a ribbon cutting event in June that highlights the first season of Resort J’s first phase of completion and the Glow Plaza Festival Ground.”
This summer, the area is also celebrating the first full season of the Glow Plaza Festival Ground, where Resort J will revitalize the important downtown Reno Entertainment District with more than 50 days of festivals and outdoor specials. Festivals and special events presented at this year’s Glow Plaza Festival Ground include the annual Reno Cinco de Mayo Festival, which is expected to attract more than 20,000 sponsors over three days, the Beatles’ two-day celebration of Abbey Road, the Pride Free Parade Party, and the Reno Latin Fest. In addition, the region will host many fundraising events, including country and western themed festivals, Reno Jazz Orchestra events, several festivals promoted by local promoter BASS Camp, and Night Under the Stars to help the Reno Rodeo Foundation Rhythm and Rowside. The Glow Plaza Festival Ground will host more than 50 days of events this year, with the vision of creating more than 100 days of events and attracting more than 100,000 new visitors annually to the best outdoor entertainment facilities in downtown Reno.
The opening of the Glow Plaza Festival Ground adjacent to the completion of Resort J’s first phase represents another chapter in revitalizing downtown Reno,” Bulware said. “It is a transition from the last remnants of the city’s growth period in the 1960s to the ongoing full remodeling.”
The first phase of J Resort is just the beginning of this property. Later this summer, Jacobs Entertainment will begin a $100 million second phase of real estate investment. Step 2 of J Resort is as follows:
High ceiling expansion at 400 locations in the game area
Rooftop indoor and outdoor swimming pools and spas
Asian Food and Game Field
a sports-themed lounge
Additional art – including sculptures currently being shaped by world-renowned sculptor Richard Erdman for Italy’s J Resort.
After the second phase is completed, Jacobs Entertainment will focus on some of the other components envisioned in the multi-year J Resort master plan. The components include a 6,500-seat Mountain View outdoor amphitheater, a large outdoor day swimming pool, a 3,500-seat Vegas indoor showroom, a 400-seat dinner theater, a 150-foot zip line above the Reno neon line, over 100,000 square feet of state-of-the-art conference space, additional enclosed parking and over 1,200 resort rooms. This growth will ultimately employ more than 2,000 people in the region.
“We are confident that the J Resort and Glow Plaza Festival grounds will continue to grow and evolve as the Reno/Spark and Lake Tahoe areas continue to grow over the coming years,” concluded Jacobs. “We’ve doubled down on Reno, and we’re happy to do so.”