After nearly four years of intensive renovations, the construction barriers have come down at the foot of Canal Street in New Orleans, unveiling the newly transformed Caesars Hotel and Casino. The $435 million redevelopment project, completed just in time for the 2025 Super Bowl, marks a significant upgrade for the property, formerly known as Harrah’s, which opened its doors almost 25 years ago. The extensive refurbishment aims to modernize the casino and its offerings, positioning Caesars New Orleans as a premier luxury destination.
The redevelopment of Caesars New Orleans has been anything but simple. According to Samir Mowad, the casino’s general manager, the project faced several delays and cost increases, largely due to post-pandemic inflation, which added over $100 million to the original budget. Despite these hurdles, the completion of the renovation represents a major milestone for the property and the city.
“Think about how much this little corner of New Orleans has transformed over the last five to six years,” Mowad said, according to Nola.com, emphasizing the revitalization of the hospitality district near the Mississippi River.
As part of the overhaul, the 115,000-square-foot gaming area received numerous upgrades. Notable additions include a World Series of Poker Room and a brand-new Caesars Sportsbook, which features an eye-popping 147-foot wall of television screens, promising to captivate even the most distracted sports fans. For high rollers, Caesars has created an exclusive High Limit area, with private Salon rooms offering custom table games and the chance to rub shoulders with celebrities.
New Luxury Accommodations and Dining
The renovation project extended well beyond the gaming floor. A new 15-story, 340-room hotel annex now towers over Convention Center Boulevard, providing guests with luxurious accommodations. Among the new rooms is a “hotel within a hotel” branded as Nobu, a name synonymous with exclusivity. This section offers 54 rooms, including 12 suites, ensuring premium comfort for top-tier guests, according to WNGO, which also presented some pictures of the upgraded facilities.
The restaurant lineup has also been overhauled, bringing an array of new dining options. The highly anticipated Nobu restaurant, the third to be housed within a Caesars property, is a focal point of the renovations. Situated near a towering 15-foot statue of Julius Caesar, the upscale eatery offers signature dishes including sushi and sashimi, along with hot and cold food specialties. Also joining the impressive culinary roster are Emeril’s Brasserie and a new 12,000-square-foot food court, featuring contributions from local chef Nina Compton, as well as celebrity chefs Bobby Flay and Buddy Valastro.
“We wanted to elevate the dining experience, and Emeril was the perfect fit for opening his first brasserie here,” Mowad added.
A Cornerstone of New Orleans’ Transformation
The Caesars renovation is one of several major projects reshaping New Orleans’ hospitality district. Nearby, the Four Seasons Hotel and Condominiums completed a $530 million development in 2021, and the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center is undergoing a $570 million upgrade. Plans for a new River District neighborhood are also in motion, promising additional entertainment venues, residential units, and retail spaces.
Mowad highlighted the importance of Caesars’ strategic location, now flanked by the luxurious Windsor Court and Four Seasons hotels. “We’re in the heart of it all. Being positioned between two iconic properties gives us a unique edge,” he noted.
Caesars’ Future in New Orleans
For Caesars, the hope is that these upgrades will enable the casino to finally meet the lofty expectations set when it was first licensed as Louisiana‘s sole land-based casino in the 1990s. Following a challenging start that included a temporary closure and financial struggles, the casino has since secured a deal to extend its exclusive license for another 30 years, starting in 2024. This agreement comes with added responsibilities, including the promise to create an additional 500 jobs, bringing the total number of employees to at least 2,400.
As New Orleans gears up for the 2025 Super Bowl, Caesars expects the influx of visitors to significantly boost revenues. Mowad remains optimistic, stating, “We haven’t fully recovered since the city’s smoking ban in 2015, but with the Super Bowl and the many events following it, we’re looking to surpass our previous highs.”
