Atlantic City’s former Revel Casino and it’s free-thinking owner; Glenn Straub, dropped a massive clue on Monday night. Straub flipped the switch and lit up the giant ball on Revel’s roof. Seen for miles, the 47-story glass tower and it’s cherry on top golf ball, showed signs of life after 18 months of darkness. Just a simple lighting test? Nah. We’d say it was indisputable proof that the so-called ‘eccentric’ Straub is crazy….like a fox.
Straub told the Associated Press that the lighting was an effort to test equipment and prepare for a June 15th opening. The plan is to have 500 of the 1800 much needed hotel rooms ready for business. Most of the property’s restaurants will be open too.
Much to the surprise & chagrin of local Atlantic City media pundits and many on City Council, it looks like Straub has survived the daily barrage of attacks on his character, business acumen, agenda and mental capacity.
One particular Atlantic City radio host constantly derided Straub, boasting that the Florida developer will never open for Summer 2016, if at all. This old-school radio host sounded like he was lobbying against outside investors like Straub. Note to pundit: cash-rich entrepreneurs are exactly what Atlantic City needs more of. Folks like Straub never ask for taxpayer hand-outs or favors……they just want a level playing field.
Plans are also underway to re-open portions of the casino floor as well. Maybe a bit smaller than before. Straubs license application is still in process, and he plans to hire a casino operator.
Will this spectacular building at the far end of the Boardwalk be called Revel? No. New names are being considered now.
It took $2 million to build the Revel ball, called “the pearl.” Designed by Mitch Gorshin. His father, Frank, played the The Riddler on the 1960s “Batman” TV show.
- 250,000 programmable LED lights that span 40-foot-diameter sphere.
- Electronics & wiring wrapped in special insulation to withstand rain/snow
- 71 lightning rods
- 710 feet, the tallest structure in city.
- Second tallest building in New Jersey
- Built in Las Vegas by YesCo
The ‘Pearl’ can be programmed in many creative ways: solid colors or patterns of colors, as well as kinetic patterns.
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