  Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 1096 Registered: 09-2005 |
The city of Windsor (and the province of Ontario) is hoping the expansion and rebranding of Casino Windsor pays out. My understanding is that casino's new theatre will be larger than Detroit's Fox. http://www.detnews.com/apps/pb cs.dll/article?AID=/20080619/E NT08/806190359/1264 http://www.canada.com/windsors tar/news/story.html?id=b7f96e8 4-cb19-4e22-9dbc-107ef22f93dc | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 7039 Registered: 08-2004 |
The 5,000 seat Casino Windsor theatre will NOT be larger than the 5,174 seat Detroit Fox Theatre. The new casino theatre will have removeable and retractable seating, and located in a space that seconds as convention space. The casino theatre will be no match for the 1928 absurdly opulent Detroit Fox, which has a auditorium height equal to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Also Casino Windsor won't have anything to compare to the "over the top" 6 story soaring Fox grand lobby, as well as 5 levels of fancy foyer space, and 2 massive organs (a Wurlitzer in the auditorium, and a Moller in the lobby). Casino Windsor may be able to match the Fox in guest performers, but the theatre will be no match (in fact no theatre in all of Canada can match)... the Detroit Fox's WOW factor. | ||
Nellonfury Member Username: Nellonfury Post Number: 260 Registered: 03-2005 |
From the sounds from your comment Gistok, you sound kinda jealous about THE COLLISEUM (new theatre's name)or the whole new casino expansion itself! It doesn't matter how many seats the theatre has.It's all about ENTERTAINMENT!! Also Ceasers will have a LOT of celebrities will be there thought out the whole summer! We talking about Chris Rock,Reba,Michael Bolton,Billy Joel,etc! Ceasers Windsor is better than Detroit casinos. To me,MGM Grand is the ONLY casino in Detroit looks nice. Motor City Casino=neon lights outside of hotel looks nice but the casino itself SUCKS! Greektown Casino=SUCKS! Congrats,Ceasers Windsor!•••• | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 7042 Registered: 08-2004 |
Aw common Nellonfury!! You've been here long enough to known that I'm the theatre nut on this forum (well along with 56Packman and Krawlspace that is). I'm not in the least jealous about Casino Windsor. I'm one of the tour guides for Preservation Wayne's annual Downtown Historic Theatre Tours (this will be my 10th year). So I just like to set the record straight about theatre's whenever possible. The only recent theatre that has been built that IS larger than the Detroit Fox is the Los Angeles Nokia Theatre (where they film American Idol), which was recently completed with 7,100 seats. Then comes the 6,300 Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium, followed by the 5,888 seat Radio City Music Hall, and THEN the 5,174 seat Detroit Fox. One other theatre that I keep trying to set the record straight on is the Detroit Opera House. MOT keeps referring to the fact that it was built in 1922 as the 5th largest theatre in the world at the time with 4,250 seats. Well that was pure John Kunsky promotional bunk! According to Theatre Historical Society (THS) the Capitol when it opened in 1922 never had more than 3,384 seats (reduced to 3,367 in a 1960 remodelling as the Grand Circus Theatre). Today it has (as MOT agrees) between 2,600-2,835 seats depending on the performance needs. Also there's some Chicago Theatre buff on Wikipedia who keeps upping the seat count of the Chicago Theatre as "over 5,000 seats"... (I keep changing it to the correct number) when in reality it was built in 1921 with only 3,880 seats... even the 4,050 seat Michigan Theatre was larger than the Chicago. So no, I'm not jealous at all about anything about Casino Windsor... I just like to keep the record straight! And that includes the rankings of North America's largest theatres...  | ||
Downriviera Member Username: Downriviera Post Number: 708 Registered: 02-2008 |
Billy Joel and Michael Bolton...please keep them in Windsor. | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 1197 Registered: 01-2006 |
In my opinion both MGM and Caesars are nice, but I dont think CW can compare to MGM. MGM Grand Detroit Caesars Windsor Greentown Motor City | ||
401don Member Username: 401don Post Number: 584 Registered: 11-2007 |
The "Greentown" Freudian slip would be appropriate for most casinos but not the only one in bankruptcy. | ||
Detroitstar Member Username: Detroitstar Post Number: 1199 Registered: 01-2006 |
Lol! poor typing on my phone I guess. Very ironic though! | ||
Fastcarsfreedom Member Username: Fastcarsfreedom Post Number: 323 Registered: 11-2005 |
To the extent that I have seen all 4--which varies--I would say Caesars and MGM are far-and-away the leaders--MotorCity is middle of the road and Greektown--despite incredible geography always fails to impress me. As for Caesars--they will find their way. As far as customers leaving due to the long list of problems that have befallen the Casino since 9/11--I think the exodus is over--they have their 'core' group of customers and the rebranding gives them an opportunity to build their business again. They get credit for being 'different' from a marketing standpoint--clearly focusing on the 'lifestyle' angle, the luxe angle--and going so far as to raise their table maximum to $50,000. The Colosseum and Convention facilities have come out of the gate strongly and that will put more captive business on their property. The CEO of Harrahs suggested at the grand opening that as the economy recovers they will consider adding a retail element to the mix, along with improved spa facilities. Either way the continued investment is a sign of faith in the entire region--and that's not a bad thing. | ||
Smogboy Member Username: Smogboy Post Number: 8235 Registered: 11-2004 |
Someone told me that out of all of the Caesars worldwide, the one in Windsor will sport the largest of the brand's theaters. If that's the case, that's somewhat impressive and a strong indication of their belief in this area being able to generate enough business to keep it afloat. | ||
Drankin21 Member Username: Drankin21 Post Number: 251 Registered: 12-2003 |
Michael Bolton is a celebrity? He sucks more than any man has ever sucked before | ||
Spacemonkey Member Username: Spacemonkey Post Number: 747 Registered: 03-2006 |
I can't go to Canada anymore because I have a DUI on my record. They won't let me in. | ||
Gumby Member Username: Gumby Post Number: 1744 Registered: 11-2003 |
Michael Bolton "That no talent ass-clown" "Why should I change my name? He's the one who sucks." Man I love "Office Space" | ||
Drankin21 Member Username: Drankin21 Post Number: 252 Registered: 12-2003 |
I love it too Gumby "I'm thinking about showing her my O face" | ||
Fastcarsfreedom Member Username: Fastcarsfreedom Post Number: 324 Registered: 11-2005 |
The Colosseum is the largest Caesars showroom--in fact, it is the largest showroom operated by Harrah's Entertainment. There is definitely a belief that there is business to sustain--booking doesn't seem to have been a challenge thusfar--given that many of these people work for the gaming companies in a contractural sense--and my understanding is that most of the scheduled shows have seen strong ticket sales. Also important to note that the Colosseum and attached ballrooms are used as Convention space--basically it is the defacto Convention Centre for Windsor (which sold it's old venue, the Cleary Centre to St. Clair College)--so it will rely on more than just 'entertainers' for it's supper. | ||
Spacemonkey Member Username: Spacemonkey Post Number: 753 Registered: 03-2006 |
I would like to see Martin Short when he performs there. | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 1098 Registered: 09-2005 |
The Casino reno and the Caesar's affliation should help the Casino (and the City of Windsor) draw in Canadian conferences. Caesars Windsor will be able to offer excellent amenities at reasonable prices. An increase in conferences should also help the City of Detroit, especially with Detroit's pro-hockey, baseball and football teams on the other side of the river. One would hope the reno'd casino will be soon joined with more retail options downtown, which would make downtown more appealing to both Windsorites and conference goers. | ||
401don Member Username: 401don Post Number: 593 Registered: 11-2007 |
If it was Harrahs making a business decision to expand in this mkt I would feel much better than the fact that it's the Ontario Gov't with my tax dollars. I think it's more a case of the gov't following through on a commitment it made two years ago to prop up an economically depressed area. Remember Harrah's is simply managing the property. | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 1099 Registered: 09-2005 |
401: I am not sure if Windsor was an economically depressed area when the expansion decision was made. The primary reason for the expansion was to keep up with the neighbo(u)rs across the river. | ||
Downriviera Member Username: Downriviera Post Number: 737 Registered: 02-2008 |
Unrelated but included here for Canadian content: Let me get this straight, Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings can not tour using the name The Guess Who? Man those guys are the Guess Who. Thats F'd up. | ||
401don Member Username: 401don Post Number: 596 Registered: 11-2007 |
UpinOttawa, I agree the expansion helps compete with Detroit but I also think, after 911, a private company would have seen the market conditions and backed off the extra 380 rooms, just as the Detroit casinos fought to reduce the no. of rooms from 800 to 400 (good thing too). Gov't moves slowly when making decisions and even slower undoing them. With 80% of business coming from metro Detroit do they really need 760 rooms? | ||
Jfried Member Username: Jfried Post Number: 1159 Registered: 11-2003 |
I haven't been over there, yet, but it's cool to see the building complete, especially the "ceasars" sign floating over the river. How does the sports betting work? | ||
Gistok Member Username: Gistok Post Number: 7050 Registered: 08-2004 |
Well all the chainsmoking gamblers will be disappointed by the smoke-free environment mandated by the government of Ontario. Slot machine players especially are known for pushing the slot buttons in one hand, and holding their lit cigarette in the other. And as to being disappointed by MotorCity and Greektown Casinos, at least wait until they're finished before making a final judgement. MotorCity is still at least 6 months from final completion, and Greektown about a year away. MotorCity's 1,200 seat intimate theatre is still under constructions (larger shows will go to the Ilitch controlled Masonic or Fox). I am curious to see the inside of the finished colosseum. I'm curious to see if during show intermissions if people are (due to lack of proper circulation space) crowded into surrounding hallways (like at the Masonic Temple Theatre and old Orchestra Hall), or if they have a large amount of lobby and foyer space for folks to mingle and congregate (such as at the Fox and Detroit Opera House). | ||
Fastcarsfreedom Member Username: Fastcarsfreedom Post Number: 325 Registered: 11-2005 |
401don--indeed, the OLG financed the expansion--however, it's important to note that business decisions are made in concert with the operator--and the management contracts are sealed as far as who gets what and who pays for what--so it's not simply a case of the OLG doing what it wants to do and letting Harrahs operate it. Secondly, the government was VERY swift in backing off the proposal post-9/11--this project was literally weeks away from being announced in 2001 and the government backed off it immediately following the massive decrease in business which occured in 2001. The decision to go ahead was taken carefully--and backing off it in light of the current economic malaise in the region wouldve accomplished nothing except leaving a half-built structure in place given that this project launched three years ago when the economic climate was different. Given that this is intended to be a Convention destination--in a Canadian context, as well as a gaming/entertainment destination in the U.S. context suggests to me that the room count will be favorable going forward. Gistok--from what little I've seen of the facility the pre-function corridors outside the theater at plenty big. (Message edited by fastcarsfreedom on June 23, 2008) | ||
Sean_of_detroit Member Username: Sean_of_detroit Post Number: 894 Registered: 03-2008 |
I got to stay in one of the old tower's most grand rooms for nothing last time I went. Apparently this is becoming a common practise. Members of their Four Star Club get moved up to these rooms when there is demand for the cheaper rooms. The cheaper rooms are then sold to walk-ins. This leads me to believe that Windsor is having issues filling at least the more luxurious rooms currently, and yet they are adding more. On another note... I don't see how anyone can say the new Greektown stinks before it is finished. Has any of the new facilities besides the parking deck even opened yet? That parking deck, BTW, is nothing short of amazing. I park there all the time, and recommend it to any suburbanites or out of towners visiting Downtown Detroit. I love how it tells you at the entrance how many parking spots are open on each level. I also love how you don't have to get parking validation anymore. How is the new garages at MGM and Motor City? Does Caesars Windsor have a new parking garage? Actually, my soon to be mother in law just told me the current parking conditions are a pain. She apparently just stayed there and loved it. She said there is no valet parking for the old tower. You have to walk pretty far from the new tower if you wish to valet. Can anyone shed more light on this issue? | ||
Fastcarsfreedom Member Username: Fastcarsfreedom Post Number: 326 Registered: 11-2005 |
Sean--the top tier at Harrah's is actually called Seven Stars, if that's what you're eluding to. As for comping rooms to premium players--this is common practice in the industry--and it's the reason those rooms get built in the first place--the largest rooms are rarely, if ever, actually paid for...again, the additional room stock was built to make the property attractive for Conventions more than anything else--and in this context the property is competing less with Detroit and more with neighboring cities and venues in Ontario. I did not say Greektown stinks...I said I have been consistently disappointed in the property--in the service, cleanliness, organization and appeal. I'm aware they aren't finished--and maybe, once they are, there will be a massive change in how they operate--it remains to be seen. Their new garage is excellent--and in that respect they went from worst to first among the three in Detroit. MGMs garage is nice also--certainly large enough--however, I add, MGMs temporary facilities were just as nice--certainly the best of the temporary facilities. I have no idea what upgrades MotorCity has done to their parking structure--I can only assume they've upgraded it (it was nothing to write home about in the past). Caesars has it's existing parking structure and expanded valet space. As for valet--it's located at the new "Grand Entrance" which is at the new hotel tower (Augustus Tower)--there is a single valet and hotel check-in at that location for both towers...so indeed this would mean a hike to the original tower (Forum Tower)...this may indeed be inconvenient for some people--they may have to look at re-introduing valet service in the old location or altering the self-parking facilities...certainly the CEO of Harrah's suggested at the opening that they want to continue adding amenities...certainly having the two separate towers presents some operational challanges. | ||
Maryellen22471 Member Username: Maryellen22471 Post Number: 139 Registered: 02-2004 |
My mom and a friend stayed overnight there on Sunday for free (comped) and said it was nice. They could have had the room on Monday for free (comped) on Monday which shocked me because that was fireworks night and you would think those would have gone for a premium-their room overlooked the detroit skyline. | ||
Upinottawa Member Username: Upinottawa Post Number: 1101 Registered: 09-2005 |
As stated above, the real benefit to the reno/Caesars branding will be bringing in conferences that would have been held in other parts of Canada. http://www.canada.com/windsors tar/story.html?id=e4b37aea-98f e-408a-b48c-2a14edaffd10 Quote: Among the local attributes being pushed by Caesars' staff to prospective customers are excellent outside dining facilities downtown and on Erie Street -- "Most conventions want one night out of three outside the hotel" -- local winery tours, and golf on Essex County's two dozen, relatively low-cost courses. ______________________________ __________ Of course, throw in Metro Detroit's amenities and a Windsor conference looks fairly appealing. | ||
Alan55 Member Username: Alan55 Post Number: 1850 Registered: 09-2005 |
I hope the improvements in Casino Windsor attracts many, many...........Canadians. |
