"Canada's first" Hard Rock Hotel & Casino begins construction in Ottawa

Construction has officially started on Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Ottawa, which is set to open in spring of 2025. 

A groundbreaking ceremony, with guests using Hard Rock's legendary guitar-handled shovels, was held this week at Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock, the site of the new facility. 

Canada's first Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will include a 150-room Hard Rock Hotel, including 22 suites, an expanded Hard Rock Casino with 1,500 slot machines, 40 live action table games, Sportsbook, high-limit gaming and a Baccarat room, an 1,800-seat Hard Rock Live theatre with standing room for 2,200, more than 10 restaurants, bars and lounges, including the Hard Rock Café and Council Oak Steakhouse, as well as a Rock Shop and Unity Store. 

"We are excited to be one step closer to bringing our iconic brand and rich music history to the people of Ottawa and the surrounding region," said Jon Lucas, chief operating officer, Hard Rock International. "I wish to thank the provincial and municipal elected officials who helped us get here today. We are especially grateful to the Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) who have been incredibly supportive in helping make this possible. We appreciate our partnership with them."

Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock will remain open 24/7 during construction.

"It's finally happening!" said Helen MacMillan, general manager, Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock. "After years of delays due to the pandemic, we are extremely excited to be making concrete progress on our plans to bring this amazing facility to life for our guests and employees, and for Ottawa's residents and visitors!"

The new facility is expected to generate significant tax revenues for the City of Ottawa, the Province of Ontario and the federal government during construction and once fully operational.

The $350 million construction project is one of the largest private investment developments currently in Ottawa. 

It is expected to create close to 1,900 direct and indirect construction and ongoing employment opportunities in the city of Ottawa.

Since the gaming site was added in February 2000, the City of Ottawa has received approximately $6 million annually and over $93 million in total payments from the OLG for hosting Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock within the national capital region, according to a press release. 

This amount is expected to rise once the expanded facility is fully operational. An additional $1 million plus per year is invested in local sponsorships and nonprofits, benefiting local communities and the people within.

As part of the ceremony, Rideau Carleton Casino, Future Hard Rock presented a $20,000 donation to Minwaashin Lodge, a local Indigenous women's shelter.

"Nothing is more important to us than contributing to the economic and social wellbeing of our community," said MacMillan. "As we officially kick off our expansion today, we want to make it clear that as our facility grows, so too will our efforts to support local businesses and community organizations."

Hard Rock International, which is wholly-owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida, said it is "fully committed" to supporting local and Indigenous organizations through charitable donations, sponsorships and partnerships.

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