Trump Plaza

Trump Plaza. This name was associated with several prominent real estate developments spearheaded by businessman Donald Trump during the 1980s. The most notable were a cooperative apartment complex in New Rochelle, New York, and a hotel and casino on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. These properties were emblematic of an era of conspicuous luxury and high-stakes development, though their fortunes diverged significantly over subsequent decades.

History

The concept emerged in the early 1980s as part of a broader expansion by The Trump Organization. In New York, the project transformed the site of the former New Rochelle Hospital into a luxury residential cooperative, opening in 1986. Concurrently, in New Jersey, the company entered the burgeoning Atlantic City casino market. The first casino, opened in 1984, was developed on the site of the former Boardwalk Hall parking lot and was later joined by other properties like the Trump Taj Mahal. A second, larger casino hotel, often called the "centerpiece" of his empire, opened in 1984 after acquiring the nearly complete Harrah's at Trump Plaza from Holiday Inn. This period coincided with major deals such as the Hyatt Regency purchase and construction of Trump Tower in Midtown Manhattan.

Architecture and features

The New Rochelle complex, designed by architect Michael Harris Spector, consists of a 40-story tower and two 26-story buildings, featuring a distinctive postmodern style. Amenities included a private health club, indoor swimming pool, and concierge services, catering to an affluent demographic within Westchester County. The Atlantic City property was a massive complex directly on the Atlantic Ocean, encompassing a 39-story hotel tower, a large casino floor, and multiple entertainment venues. Its design aimed for opulence, with extensive use of bronze-tinted glass, Italian marble, and 24-karat gold leaf detailing, competing directly with other resorts like Caesars Atlantic City and Bally's Atlantic City.

Notable events and closures

The Atlantic City casino hosted numerous high-profile events, including championship boxing matches featuring fighters like Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield, broadcast on networks such as HBO. It was also the site of the Miss USA pageant from 1996 to 2005. Financially, the casino struggled for years, filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection multiple times, first in 1992. After years of decline, it closed permanently in September 2014. The vacant structure, owned by Carl Icahn after a debt acquisition, became a significant blight on the Boardwalk and was finally demolished in a controlled implosion in February 2021. The New Rochelle residential property has remained operational.

In popular culture

The properties, particularly the Atlantic City casino, became symbols of 1980s extravagance and featured in various media. It appeared in the 1988 film *The Return of Bruno* and was referenced in television shows like *The Simpsons* and *Saturday Night Live*. The casino's high-profile closure and demolition were covered extensively by outlets like The New York Times and CNN, often used as a metaphor for the shifting fortunes of both Atlantic City and its former owner. The building's distinctive profile made it a recognizable landmark in footage of the city's skyline.

See also

* Trump Tower * Trump Taj Mahal * Atlantic City, New Jersey * The Trump Organization * Casino hotel

Category:Buildings and structures in New Rochelle, New York Category:Former casinos in Atlantic City, New Jersey Category:Trump-branded buildings Category:Residential skyscrapers in New York (state)