Your guided tour through MGM Springfield

Aug. 23, 2018 | The Reminder Publishing Staff
news@thereminder.com


MGM’s lobby welcomes visitors with rustic antiques, cozy couches and literature themed beverages. Starbucks is also located within the lobby for those looking for a caffeine jolt.
Reminder Publications photo by Payton North.

It rivals any casino in Vegas.

I know, I was just there this past February.

MGM truly spared no expense in bringing what it has billed as world-class gaming and entertainment to Springfield. And lucky for us, they did it our way.

From the specially commissioned piece by artist Mia Pearlman that graces the hotel entrance – a swirling, white, three-dimensional sculpture paying tribute to the 2011 tornado that paved the way for this phoenix to rise from its destruction  – to the carefully preserved buildings, facades and architectural elements incorporated throughout the property, MGM pays homage to its host city in ways large – and subtle – at every turn. And according to MGM tour guides, the incorporation of so much of the local legacy into this property – a first in the history of MGM’s ventures worldwide – was a carefully considered part of the plan.

Reminder Publishing was privileged to take part in one of the pre-opening media tours of the new casino on Aug. 20, where amid a beehive of last-minute construction and touch-ups, we viewed the new addition to Springfield’s skyline from the sixth floor Presidential suite to the back halls of the still-under construction Regal Cinema complex  – and nearly everything in-between.    

Yes, there’s plenty of glitz – the requisite gilded lion greets guests as they pull into the parking garage and the valet and self-parking entrances open onto the casino floor with its rows and rows of blinking, chiming slot machines – but gaming isn’t all there is to draw visitors.  There’s myriad dining options, an on-site hotel with five-star accommodations a spa and pool, a sports bar with a built-in bowling alley and arcade in addition to plenty of viewing options, and an outdoor plaza that promises year-round entertainment for casino-goers and area residents alike.

And unlike most casinos, those in Vegas and elsewhere, much of that extra entertainment – the restaurants, the sports bar, many of the shops and the Plaza and cinema – are all accessible from the street as well as from inside the complex.

All casinos have a theme – here it is local history – but what impressed me most was the attention to detail throughout the property. The hotel lobby, with its floor-to-ceiling shelves of books, many of which were written by local authors (or copies of area high school yearbooks), is in many ways reminiscent of the main reference room of Springfield’s central library. Even the cocktails offered by the hotel lobby bar – where the fireplace mantle was salvaged from the Electric Light Company building that stood on that block and the tabletops sport copies of classic Milton Bradley games – are a nod to the literary theme. Guests can choose from such libations as “Tequila Mockingbird,” a “Romeo & Juniper” or a “Fahrenheit 451,” which is served flaming.  

The hotel rooms themselves reflect a strong, elegant feel with dark walls accented by locally produced, original art balanced by sleek amenities such as big-screen TVs, walk-in glass-door rain showers, vessel sinks and in the larger rooms, stand-alone tubs.  The standard room has a cozy, apartment feel, the specialty Garden Rooms feature a wet bar, dining table and open onto an exclusive outdoor patio with deck-like seating areas and a small lawn area.

The elegant President’s Suite includes a bedroom, separate sitting and dining areas, one and one-half elegantly appointed baths, a wet bar area and a large walk-in closet. All the rooms include carefully curated antique accents that reflect – or echo – the history of Springfield.  The President’s Suite, for example, boasts an antique copy of local lexicography icon Merriam Webster’s unabridged dictionary on a stand near the sitting room.

We were told MGM shopped the local Brimfield Antiques Mart extensively to find the right items to incorporate into room – and the hotel’s – décor.

The homage to Springfield continues in the outdoor plaza space, where the original Howard Street Armory building – heavily damaged during the 2011 tornado – has been repaired and preserved. Workmen were still racing the clock to put the finishing touches on the interior – which we were told would be used for myriad events ranging from a Halloween haunted house to a pop-up art gallery to a nightclub or other specialty event space.

The French Congregational Church at the far end of the Plaza – of late used as the Spiritualists Church – was relocated intact 500 feet away from its original site to accommodate the casino’s gaming floor. It now houses an outpost of Kringle Candle and a specialty Kringle Café. The Plaza itself – an open space framed by an iron superstructure reminiscent of the bones of the former “drill shed” that stood on the spot pre 2011– will play host to everything from a farmer’s market to outdoor concerts to a public skating rink at holiday time in the coming months.

Ringing the Plaza are more of the casino’s exclusives   including an Indian Motorcycle shop – the first retail outlet for the company – Top Golf and MGM’s signature sports bar, Tap. This location includes not only beers on tap and some of the best sports viewing available locally, but also an on-site bowling alley, arcade games and a décor that reflects the sports history of Springfield  – from the peach basket that is mounted over the door, an homage to James Naismith and the beginnings of basketball at the Springfield YMCA to the pommel horse bench and still rings chandelier that honor the gymnastics prowess of Springfield College, Naismith’s and the Basketball Hall of Fame’s original home. Beyond these artifacts, walls of sports memorabilia reflecting the rich sports history of the area, frame the TV viewing area and beer taps bar.

But Tap and the Kringle Café aren’t the only place for a snack or a meal on the MGM property. At the far end of the casino floor the South End Market offers quick bites, from wine and cheese and coffee and gelato to lobster-infused specialties at Jack’s Lobster Shack to healthy offerings at the Hearth Grill to classic diner fare at Bill’s Diner, named after MGM’s CEO, or Asian-inspired dishes at Wicked Noodle.

At the other end of the floor the two full-service restaurants  – Cal Mare and the Chandler Steak House offer casino-goers and locals alike elegant fare envisioned by award-winning chefs. Cal Mar’s features dishes – and wood-fired pizzas and in-house Lemon cello – inspired by Italy’s Amalfi coast, as interpreted by chefs Michael Mina and Adam Sobel.

Chandlers Steak House – built in the space originally housing the Chandler Hotel – is a classic casino steak house, interpreted by Executive Chef Meghan Gill, “Hells’ Kitchen’s” season 14 winner. High-back booths, tableside dish preparations and a massive bar featuring rows of whiskeys and bourbons give this restaurant an old-time Vegas feel.

When it comes to upscale libations, Commonwealth, the casino bar, offers a unique experience, including the opportunity to order its signature $25,000 cocktail called an Indian Sidecar that includes a 1901 bottle of cognac – you get to keep it –and an Indian motorcycle.

Beyond the slots, casino fans will find a beautifully appointed poker room onsite, featuring 23 tables with lush leather chairs reminiscent of sports car bucket seats. The lobby gives a nod to Springfield’s connection to the Rolls Royce, with construction diagrams on the walls and a collection of dashboard instruments on display.

Acknowledging that conventions are also a big part of what draws people to casinos, MGM has also incorporated a large second-floor convention space with two full size ballrooms, two board rooms and an outdoor patio space for mild weather events. The foyer of the convention space also gives a nod to Springfield’s history, preserving and incorporating the stained glass skylight and walkway that were in the original electric company building that stood on the spot.

And MGM included one more entertainment opportunity for casino-goers and locals alike, incorporating a brand-new Regal Cinemas complex on the site. Featuring seven theaters that will seat from 50 to 150 in luxury loungers, the theater – which will be in full operation a few weeks after the casino’s official opening – will offer first run films and concessions that range from popcorn to beer, wine, burgers and pizza.

According to Richard Grover, vice president of communications for Regal, the first three days of the theater’s opening will offer discounted tickets and popcorn with the proceeds benefiting Square One and the local Head Start program, as their way of giving back to the community.
Debbie Gardner

 

There were three major premises, which MGM touted several years ago when it was trying to get the nod to be the casino developer in Springfield, about its planned casino here.

The first was this was going to be more of an entertainment facility than casino. MGM frequently mentioned that most of its revenue came from entertainment and hospitality rather than gaming.

The second was this was going to be a new design: a downtown casino that was open and integrated into the existing community. Most casinos try to keep people in and the MGM design was to allow people to walk through the property, going to eateries and shops without having to necessarily be exposed to gaming.

The third premise was that MGM would actually build a casino that reflects the history and community of Springfield.

All three of these premises were made real in the final product.

The design of the casino allows for someone to have lunch or dinner by going through entrances on either Main or State streets directly to the restaurant area of one’s choice.  The entrance to the Taps sports bar is through the plaza of the casino, an area where will be special events, such as this weekend’s performance by the Dropkick Murphys.

The plaza area will also be the location for an ice skating rink in the winter as well as other seasonal activities.

The casino returns a downtown movie theater to the city, something it hasn’t had since the late 1960s when the Paramount and the Arcade were the last theaters to regularly show films. The new Regal will be a next generation theater with the reclining luxury seats and expanded concession offerings.

The lobby of the casino is different from any casino this writer has seen. It’s a library with books to read, places to sit, a bar on one side and a Starbucks on the other.

It doesn’t scream “casino.” Instead the tone is welcoming and relaxing.

The issue of reflecting Springfield is literally everywhere in the complex. Taps is full of local and state sports memorabilia, for instance. The sculpture of gymnastic rings is clearly a reference to Springfield College and a neon sign that simply reads “VFW” is undoubtedly a reference to the Veterans of Foreign Wars post that used to be on Bliss Street, now part of the complex.

The Merriam-Webster dictionary that is in the Presidential Suite as well as with a fanciful lighting fixture that pays homage to Dr. Seuss are among the hundreds of additional references seen throughout the complex.

The attention to detail is almost overwhelming. From the use of local artists, such as Marlon Seymour whose studio is nearby in the Monkeywrench Building, to carpeting made exclusively for the property, the casino complex creates a style that is chic, historic and unique.

Yes, there are certainly aspects of MGM Springfield that are traditional casino elements. The gaming floor does create a sensory overload with the sound and lighting of the slot machines. There is a quiet poker room tucked off the floor and a high limits area that is geared to the high roller.

These are to be expected.

In the increasingly competitive world of casino gaming, MGM Springfield is offering a product that if successful will – and should – serve as a model for other urban casinos.
G. Michael Dobbs
    

As the youngest member of The Reminder staff, naturally, I’ve had a more limited experience with casinos. Nonetheless, at 23–years–old, I’ve still managed to travel to Mohegan Sun three times and Foxwoods once. I’ve been witness to what a typical casino looks and feels like.

MGM has been touting the phrase, “This is a first.” It’s their advertising campaign. It’s all over their Internet ads that pop up on my phone constantly after discussing the casino in the office all day. Their TV commercial, which features the MGM lion among casino goers and entertainers making a trip across the Memorial Bridge, reads, “This is a first” in bold type. The phrase, in my brain, is now synonymous with MGM.

But what does it mean?

I didn’t know what “This is a first” truly meant. The first casino of its kind? The first casino in Springfield? A first for Western Mass residents?

The answer is all of the above.

It’s hard for me to put into words how impressed I was during my tour of the casino grounds. My jaw dropped and I genuinely looked around in wonderment and what I’m sure appeared as a daze with my eyes glazed over.

It was not at all what I expected.

When I think of casinos, I think larger–than–life. I think bright lights, and I think entertainment. I also think impersonal and at times cold. I think of large spaces and rooms where you stand and feel small. Generally, I don’t feel casinos are a welcoming atmosphere.

MGM Springfield is anything but impersonal.

While the hotel rooms feature remarkably high ceilings and are more spacious than some hotels I’ve been in, when you stand in a room at MGM, you feel like you’re in a trendy, freshly–designed apartment.

The lobby, which is now considered a favorite space of mine, has books covering the walls on shelves from local authors. The brick walls, the cozy and eclectic couches with throw pillows and the kitschy antiques make me feel at home (which could be dangerous.)

As you’ve read in Debbie Gardner and Mike Dobbs’ renditions, the seamless continuation of Springfield culture, locations, activities and residents within the casino is impressive. Our tour guides took every opportunity to explain to us why they chose specific carpets in the halls leading to the hotel rooms that had quotes and words from books, carrying out a literary theme. They pointed out the photo of Theodor Geisel, commonly known as Dr. Seuss, which hangs proudly inside one of the casino’s restaurants: The Chandler Steak House. They pointed out antiques which were purchased at the local Brimfield Antique Show, explained that the chandelier in the Essentials shop pays homage to the Indian Motorcycle founders and showcased every painting, sculpture and book that was created by either a Springfield or Western Mass resident.

MGM wasn’t kidding. This is a first.                  

Payton North

Share this: