Hard Rock to enter Puerto Rico gaming market with $850M San Juan integrated resort

Hard Rock International will enter Puerto Rico’s gaming sector with an $850 million integrated resort in San Juan, marking the company’s first casino-led development on the island and a new chapter for its Caribbean operations.

Hard Rock International is partnering with Misla Hospitality, Stonecrest Investment Management, and The Interfin Companies on the new-build Hard Rock Hotel & Casino San Juan. The project is scheduled to open in 2029, with construction planned to begin in mid-2026.

The development will be Hard Rock’s first hotel, casino, and residential complex in Puerto Rico. It is positioned as the island’s first integrated casino designed to combine gaming, lodging, entertainment, and residential components within a single property.

Designed by Klai Juba Wald and CMA Architects, the resort will draw from Puerto Rico’s cultural and musical heritage and incorporate work from community artists. The site offers views of San Juan Bay and the Atlantic Ocean and is located near cruise ports, with access to Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport and adjacency to Old San Juan.

Plans call for approximately 415 hotel rooms, 58 suites, and 186 branded residences.

The San Juan property will include gaming facilities alongside event venues, a recording studio, and displays of local memorabilia. Additional amenities include the Rock Spa, a fitness center, and three terrace-level pools. Youth-oriented facilities are planned, including a kids’ club, an arcade, and teen-focused spaces. Dining options will range from casual poolside service to full-service restaurants and bars.

“Music is at the heart of both Hard Rock and Puerto Rico, making this a perfect union,” said Jeff Hook, chief operating officer at Hard Rock International. “San Juan is a natural extension of our portfolio, creating a seamless Hard Rock experience for guests traveling between our international properties."

"We're honored to create a destination that celebrates Puerto Rico's rich music and arts scene, and we look forward to welcoming visitors and locals alike to experience the island's dynamic cultural landscape.”

The project is expected to generate more than 2,500 direct construction jobs and about 1,250 permanent positions once operations begin.

“The launch in San Juan of the first hotel, casino, and residential complex by the prestigious firm Hard Rock International, with construction set to begin mid-year, opens a world of possibilities for economic development,” said Puerto Rico Gov. Jenniffer González-Colón.

“This significant $850 million investment, in addition to generating jobs and becoming another attraction for the island, helps continue positioning Puerto Rico as an ideal destination in the Caribbean — a destination for tourism, living, and global investment.”

Tourism officials also commented on the project’s role within the island’s visitor economy.

“We welcome Hard Rock International's first hotel project in Puerto Rico as a significant milestone for our tourism industry, strengthening our lodging portfolio through the addition of new hotel room inventory, supporting job creation, and enhancing the island's visitor experience while elevating a strategically located area near the cruise ports and historic Old San Juan, and supporting the island's long-term destination growth," said Willianette Robles Cancel, executive director of the Puerto Rico Tourism Company.

Jorge L. Pérez, president and CEO of Discover Puerto Rico, described the project as an addition to hotel capacity near cruise activity and convention demand and cited its role in attracting international events.