Fertitta said he was thrilled to be among the "Big Four," with his Golden Nugget joining the Borgata and Harrah's Resort in the Marina District and with Revel in creating a critical mass of destination properties that would encourage overnight customers to return to the Shore.
The sale of the casino by Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. to Landry's for about $38 million was announced Feb. 14, after two failed attempts to sell the property to New York-based Coastal Marina L.L.C. at a much higher price.
"I am optimistic that the arrival in Atlantic City of the successful Landry's and Golden Nugget brands will be a giant step toward a reinvigorated Atlantic City gaming market," commission chair Linda M. Kassekert said in announcing the 3-0 vote.
The casino had been operated as Trump Marina for more than a quarter-century. Last week, the Trump moniker was removed from the exterior in preparation for a six-month, $100 million renovation.
That is the projected cost for the first of three planned redesign phases, Fertitta said. Workers got started Monday, removing some signs and interior paneling.
Teddy and Peggy Lee of Woodland Park, N.J., paused Monday to look at the work going on near the principal escalators, after playing in the bingo hall on the main floor. The Lees said they had been coming to Trump Marina since its June 1985 opening and had watched its decline.
"It's dilapidated, so it needed something," said Peggy Lee, 75, as the couple strolled to one of the grab-and-go restaurants for lunch. "It will be a hit. They will need to do a lot of work, though."
Added Teddy Lee, 84: "The Donald didn't want to spend the money."
