Elvis Presley's Iconic 24k Gold Leaf Grand Piano Debuts at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa

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Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa

Jul 11, 2019, 15:33 ET

TAMPA, Fla., July 11, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- The new grand entranceway at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is now the home of Elvis Presley's iconic 24-karat gold leaf grand piano.

The grand entranceway, which features gold and glass design elements along with two curved escalators, is part of the property's ongoing $700 million expansion, which will be completed in the fall. A grand opening has been scheduled for October 3.

Jim Allen, Chairman of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming

Elvis Presley’s 24k Gold Leaf Grand Piano in the new entranceway of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa

As part of the grand opening weekend, country artist Keith Urban will perform on Friday, October 4, in the property's new 1,500-seat Hard Rock Event Center. Tickets are on sale now via Ticketmaster.

"We're honored to have Elvis's priceless piano on permanent display here at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa," said Jim Allen, Hard Rock International Chairman and Seminole Gaming CEO. "Hard Rock has such a deep connection to music history, so it's fitting that this fantastic piece of memorabilia is here at one of the most successful casino properties in the world."

Presley's grand piano was played by the "King of Rock and Roll" inside a music room at his Graceland home in Memphis, Tennessee. He originally purchased the piano for his mother in 1955 and installed it in his new home on Audubon Drive. The piano was placed into storage for 10 years after Presley's mother's death in 1958, until Priscilla Presley decided to adorn the piano in 24-karat gold-leaf finish as a Christmas gift and in celebration of the couple's first wedding anniversary.

Hard Rock International acquired the piano as its 80,000^th piece of memorabilia.

The Elvis piano joins more than 500 other pieces of the most evocative and valuable pieces of music memorabilia at Seminole Hard Rock Tampa, including such fan favorites as The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Janis Joplin and many more. A sampling of these pieces can be seen through the self-guided memorabilia Rock Walk tour on the Mezzanine Level of the property.

Editor's Note: High res photos available here. Photo credit: Seminole Hard Rock Tampa.

Expansion Details

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa's expansion includes a new 14-story hotel tower with 562 guestrooms and suites, three ultra-lavish pools and extensive gaming space. The casino complex has already completed expansions to its Poker Room, Mezzanine Level Casino/Rock Walk and Orient Road Garage. It will also unveil a new spa, food and beverage options, retail stores, and arrival experience.

Three new outdoor swimming pools dot the 60,000-square-foot expanded pool and deck area and will feature 20 cabanas, 700 lounges and daybeds, two DJ booths and more.

The completed 245,000-square-foot casino brings the new gaming experience to nearly 5,000 slots, 179 tables and a state-of-the-art poker room with 46 poker tables. For the ultimate VIP experience, the new hotel tower will feature a private gaming parlor, with exclusive check-in and private elevators.

In addition to the Hard Rock Event Center, a 17,000-square-foot grand ballroom will host conventions, trade shows, private events, large-scale poker tournaments and concerts, including 60 major entertainment acts each year.

The expanded, 26,000-square-foot Rock Spa® & Salon will feature 13 treatment rooms, including a Rhythm & Motion room, Hammam, and two VIP suites, plus a hair and nail salon, barber shop, and co-ed aqua lounge.

Upon completion, a total of 14 restaurants and bars will keep hungry hearts happy, including the addition of Constant Grind, a casual sit down or grab and go hot spot; the Pool Bar & Grill, an upbeat, full service restaurant; and an Italian fine dining concept that will further elevate the property to true culinary destination status.

An upscale wine and spirits experience will join the retail offerings, presenting the opportunity to enjoy wine by the glass and sample featured wines available for purchase. Additional retail concepts will feature jewelry, cosmetics, and men's and women's fashions.

Rooms are available to book now for resort stays beginning in mid-July.

Architect of record for the expanded Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is Klai Juba Wald of Las Vegas. Interiors design is led by Wimberly Interiors, New York. Landscape designers are EDSA of Fort Lauderdale.

About Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
Owned and operated by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is one of the largest and most successful casinos in the world offering award-winning gaming, hospitality and entertainment. The casino features more than 4,000 of the hottest slot machines, 138 table games and a state-of-the-art Poker Room featuring 46 tables. Additionally, the property offers a smoke-free Mezzanine Level Casino. The hotel is AAA Four Diamond rated and the property proudly offers seven award-winning restaurants, including the upscale dining venues Council Oak Steaks & Seafood and The Rez Grill. Renovations and expansions set to debut in the fall of 2019 include a new hotel tower with over 500 rooms, three ultra-lavish pools and expansive gaming space. The property will also unveil a new Rock Spa® & Salon, meeting space, entertainment venue, arrival experience as well as new food and beverage options. The resort is located off I-4 at North Orient Road and Hillsborough Avenue, about 10 minutes east of downtown Tampa. For more information, please call 866-502-PLAY or visit us online and via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

About Hard Rock International
With venues in 74 countries including 186 cafes, 241 Rock Shops®, 29 hotels and 12 casinos, Hard Rock International (HRI) is one of the most globally recognized companies. Beginning with an Eric Clapton guitar, Hard Rock owns the world's most valuable collection of music memorabilia, which is displayed at its locations around the globe. Hard Rock is also known for its collectible fashion and music-related merchandise available in global Rock Shops and online at https://shop.hardrock.com. HRI owns the global trademark for all Hard Rock brands including Hard Rock Live performance venues. The company owns, operates and franchises Cafes in iconic cities including London, New York, San Francisco, Sydney and Dubai. HRI also owns, licenses and/or manages hotel/casino properties worldwide. Destinations include the company's two most successful Hotel and Casino properties in Tampa and Hollywood, FL., both owned and operated by HRI parent entity The Seminole Tribe of Florida. Another exciting Hotel & Casino location includes Atlantic City. Hard Rock Hotels are located in vibrant city and resort destinations such as Bali, Cancun, Daytona Beach, Desaru Coast, Ibiza, London, Los Cabos, Orlando and Shenzhen. Upcoming new Hard Rock Cafe locations include Kathmandu, Nepal, Kyoto, Japan, Asuncion, Paraguay, Puerto Madero, Argentina and Chandigarh, India. New Hard Rock Hotel, Casino or Hotel & Casino projects include Amsterdam, Berlin, Budapest, Dublin, Madrid, Maldives, New York City, Ottawa, Sacramento, Dalian and Haikou in China. In 2018, Hard Rock International was recognized as a Forbes Magazine Top Employer for Women and Land Operator of the Year at the Global Gaming Awards. In 2019, Hard Rock International was honored as one of Forbes Magazine's America's Best Large Employers and Forbes Magazine's Top Employer for Women. For more information on Hard Rock International visit www.hardrock.com.