Guitar-shaped Hard Rock hotel starts revealing stunning display of lights

Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Michael Laughlin / South Florida Sun Sentinel
The new Guitar Hotel, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is illuminated, Tuesday, July 2, 2019.
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Michael Laughlin / South Florida Sun Sentinel
Cars drive on SR 7 in a time-lapse photograph in front of the new Guitar Hotel, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is illuminated, Wednesday, July 3, 2019.
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Michael Laughlin / South Florida Sun Sentinel
Cars drive on SR 7 in a time-lapse photograph in front of the new Guitar Hotel, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is illuminated, Wednesday, July 3, 2019.
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Michael Laughlin / South Florida Sun Sentinel
Cars drive on SR 7 in a time-lapse photograph in front of the new Guitar Hotel, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is illuminated, Wednesday, July 3, 2019.
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Michael Laughlin / South Florida Sun Sentinel
Cars drive on SR 7 in a time-lapse photograph in front of the new Guitar Hotel, at the Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood is illuminated, Wednesday, July 3, 2019.
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
Mike Stocker / Sun Sentinel
Construction is almost completed at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood and is scheduled to open on October 24th. The $1.5 billion expansion project adds hotel rooms, gaming space, dining and nightlife outlets, a full service spa, three distinct pool experiences, a new retail promenade, a 6,500-seat Hard Rock Live entertainment venue and meeting and convention space to the existing property footprint. It is slated for a fall 2019 opening. Mike Stocker, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

By David Lyons | South Florida Sun Sentinel

PUBLISHED: July 19, 2019 at 12:31 p.m. | UPDATED: July 19, 2019 at 5:52 p.m.

The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is poised to create a visual spectacle with its new massive guitar-shaped hotel — and recent lighting tests have started to reveal the extent of how dazzling the tower will be at night.

In recent weeks, the stunning building has been shining bright in every direction, its exterior bathed in red, blue, purple, green and yellow. Fully illuminated, the flashy 450-foot tower can be seen for miles from points in Broward and Miami-Dade counties.

At a recent media event, Hard Rock International Chairman James Allen tipped his hand at how impressive the display will be. “What most people don’t realize is this thing is also a TV set,” he told reporters. “There’s lasers on top of it that can go 20,000 feet in the sky. So while it’s this amazing building during the day, wait till you see the show on it at nighttime.”

Part of a $1.5 billion expansion, the hotel, a grandiose lagoon and new restaurants, shops, and an entertainment center are scheduled to open for business Oct. 24. Management will start taking reservations July 24.

But the extent of the light display’s capabilities remains a mystery. Hard Rock officials are reluctant to discuss what’s behind the on-again, off-again evening light shows.

“We are not releasing any details of the lighting in order to build anticipation for the opening,” said spokesman Gary Bitner. “That is just a strategic decision.”

Around Miami and elsewhere in South Florida, lighting schemes are part of the signatures of many high-rises — all designed to draw attention.

In sheer scope, the colors emitted at the Hard Rock thus far seem to rival those that illuminate the 625-foot Miami Tower designed by the late I.M. Pei, and the AmericanAirlines Arena in downtown Miami.

No one at the Hard Rock has mentioned trying to emulate the 19-story silhouette of a dancing woman that has graced the InterContinental Miami for many years.

And there will be more camera fodder in the weeks to come.

Said Bitner: “Clearly there is going to be testing going on all summer leading up to the grand opening.”

And the Hard Rock is in the midst of a hiring spree, conducting job fairs to fill an estimated 1,200 openings. A third fair is scheduled for Aug. 19-21.