Proposal for Luxury Casino Destination
Jeffrey Soffer’s Fontainebleau Development has proposed a major transformation of the Big Easy Casino in Hallandale Beach, Florida. The plan aims to convert the existing venue into a luxury Las Vegas-style destination, marking a significant shift in the property’s profile since its purchase in 2018.
The Big Easy Casino, formerly known as Mardi Gras Casino and Hollywood Greyhound Track, currently operates with 700 slot machines, electronic table games, and poker tournaments. The last major renovation of the venue took place 20 years ago. Soffer intends to upgrade the facility to compete with high-end resorts, aligning with the brand identity established by the Fontainebleau on the Las Vegas Strip, which opened in December 2023.
Scale of the Proposed Development
According to the proposal, the gaming venue would occupy more than 163,000 square feet. The design is being handled by Steelman Partners, a Las Vegas-based architecture firm. Steelman Partners has previously designed casino hotels for major operators including Caesars Entertainment, Genting Group, MGM Resorts International, Sands China, and Wynn Resorts.
The refresh plans include extensive amenities beyond gaming. The proposal calls for 34,344 square feet of dining space and 11,205 square feet dedicated to bars. A live entertainment venue is also part of the design. To support the expected traffic, the plans include 1,707 total parking spaces, which would include a new 818-space parking garage.
Previous Permit Challenges and Land Sales
This proposal follows a previous, unsuccessful attempt by Soffer to transfer the venue’s gaming permit to the Fontainebleau property in Miami Beach. To advance legislation for the permit transfer, Soffer donated millions of dollars to Florida policymakers. However, the effort did not succeed, partly due to lukewarm reception from Miami Beach residents who were opposed to the idea of a casino at the Fontainebleau location. Citadel founder Ken Griffin also penned an op-ed opposing the casino concept in Miami Beach.
In December of last year, Fontainebleau Development sold 12.3 acres of land at the Big Easy site to a group of buyers for $31.16 million. This sale price was more than double the $12.5 million Soffer paid to buy the venue in 2018. The sold land is zoned for mixed use and is slated to be developed into apartments and retail spaces.
Fontainebleau Development holds a diverse portfolio of aviation, commercial, entertainment, maritime, and residential properties across Florida and other states. The proposed revamp of the Big Easy Casino represents a concentrated effort to establish a flagship gaming property in the Miami metropolitan area.
Why It Matters
The proposal signals a shift in Florida’s casino landscape by targeting a luxury segment in the Miami metropolitan area, a market previously resistant to casino expansion. If approved, the 163,000-square-foot venue would introduce a high-end gaming product to Hallandale Beach, potentially altering the competitive dynamic for regional operators. The project also follows a significant land sale, indicating a broader capital reallocation strategy by Fontainebleau Development.
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