Walk into the Marina District of Atlantic City today and you’ll see the Borgata’s shimmering gold glass and the sleek, rebranded MGM Tower. It looks permanent. It looks successful. But if you were around in 2007, you probably remember the headlines about something much, much bigger. We’re talking about the MGM Grand Hotel Atlantic City NJ, a project that was supposed to be the "Vegas-killer." It was a $5 billion dream that literally vanished into thin air.
Honestly, it’s one of the greatest "what ifs" in the history of the East Coast.
People often get confused. They see the "MGM" logo on the side of the old Water Club tower and think, "Oh, there it is." But that’s not it. The actual MGM Grand was meant to be a standalone, massive resort on 72 acres of land right next to the Borgata. It wasn’t just a hotel; it was a statement. Then the world fell apart in 2008, and the site became a graveyard of ambition.
The Massive Ambition of MGM Grand Atlantic City
The scale was kind of ridiculous. Back in the mid-2000s, Atlantic City was still feeling itself. The Borgata had just proven that people would actually pay for luxury in Jersey, and MGM Resorts International wanted to double down. They announced the MGM Grand Atlantic City with a price tag of roughly $5 billion.
To put that in perspective, that was more than double what it cost to build the Borgata.
The plan featured three separate hotel towers, 3,000 rooms, and a casino floor that would have been the largest in the city. They weren't just looking to build a place to sleep. They wanted a massive theater, a convention center, and a retail promenade that would make the Pier at Caesars look like a corner store.
Why the Project Never Broke Ground
You’ve probably guessed the main culprit: the 2008 Great Recession. It hit the gaming industry like a freight train. MGM Mirage (as they were called then) saw their stock price crater, and suddenly, spending $5 billion on a swampy plot of land in Jersey didn't seem like such a hot idea.
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But there was more to it than just money.
New Jersey regulators are famously tough. While MGM was planning this mega-resort, the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement started poking around MGM's partnership in Macau with Pansy Ho. They basically told MGM, "Either ditch your partner in China or leave New Jersey."
MGM actually chose to leave.
They put their 50% stake in the Borgata into a divestiture trust and walked away from the Atlantic City market for years. The plans for the MGM Grand Hotel Atlantic City NJ were put in a drawer and eventually gathered enough dust to be forgotten by everyone except the local historians and the people who still own the empty lot.
The "New" MGM Presence: Rebranding the Water Club
Fast forward to the 2020s. MGM is back in New Jersey, and they didn't just come back—they bought the whole house. In 2016, they purchased Boyd Gaming's half of the Borgata for $900 million.
Suddenly, MGM owned the most profitable casino in the city.
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However, the "MGM Grand" name still didn't appear on a building until very recently, and even then, it wasn't what people expected. In 2023, they spent $55 million to renovate The Water Club, the luxury hotel tower attached to the Borgata. They renamed it the MGM Tower at Borgata.
It’s a gorgeous spot. You’ve got:
- 700+ refreshed rooms.
- The Vista Suites with those wraparound windows.
- Nautical designs that actually feel like you're at the shore.
But let’s be real. It isn't the $5 billion mega-resort we were promised in 2007. It's a very nice rebranding of an existing property. It’s basically MGM’s way of planting their flag in the Marina District without having to spend billions on new construction.
What's Left of the Original Site?
If you drive down MGM Mirage Boulevard today, you’ll see a whole lot of... grass. The 72-acre site intended for the original MGM Grand is still mostly vacant. It sits there right next to the Borgata, a weirdly quiet reminder of how big the city was supposed to get.
There have been rumors for years.
People talk about a new arena. Others hope for a water park. Honestly, the most likely scenario is that it stays empty until the market in Atlantic City shifts again. With the rise of online gambling—where Borgata is a monster—the need for 3,000 more physical hotel rooms just isn't what it used to be.
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Navigating the Current MGM Tower
If you're heading to the MGM Tower now, thinking you're going to the "MGM Grand," just know what you're getting. It’s the high-end, slightly quieter sibling to the main Borgata hotel.
- Use the dedicated valet for the MGM Tower; it’s way faster than the main Borgata entrance.
- The pools are the big draw here—two indoor and two outdoor.
- You still have to walk over to the main Borgata floor for the heavy-duty gambling.
It's sorta funny how things worked out. MGM ended up owning the best property in the city, but they did it by buying out their partner rather than building their own Taj Mahal.
Is the Dream Dead?
In the casino world, never say never. But for now, the MGM Grand Hotel Atlantic City NJ as a standalone $5 billion project is a relic of a different era. The "Borgata-fication" of the brand is complete.
You get the MGM Rewards points. You get the MGM-branded tower. You get the world-class dining like Old Homestead and Izakaya. But that massive, three-towered city-within-a-city? That’s just a ghost in the archives of the Casino Control Commission.
Actionable Insights for Your Next Trip:
- Check the Rebranding: Make sure you're booking the "MGM Tower" if you want the newly renovated rooms; the "Borgata" rooms are separate and have a different vibe.
- Status Match: If you have status with MGM in Vegas, it carries over here. Use the MGM Rewards desk near the entrance to the casino floor to get your card updated.
- Timing the Stay: The MGM Tower is almost always more expensive on weekends because of its luxury positioning. If you want the "Grand" experience for half the price, Tuesday through Thursday is your window.
- Explore the Marina: Don't just stay inside. The location puts you close to Harrah's and Golden Nugget, which are easy walks if the weather isn't typical Jersey Shore humidity.