Hard Rock Expanding Into Puerto with Plans for $850 Million Casino Resort in San Juan

^{A rendering shows Hard Rock International’s planned hotel and casino resort in San Juan, Puerto Rico, which is set to begin construction in 2026. (Photo: Hard Rock International)}

As Hard Rock ramps up development projects in the U.S., including its rising guitar-shaped hotel in Las Vegas, the brand is adding another major destination to its growing portfolio. 

Hard Rock International announced on Thursday, Feb. 5, that it plans to develop the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino San Juan in Puerto Rico, which will be the company's first full hotel-casino project on the island. Construction is expected to begin in mid-2026, with a projected opening in 2029. 

Resort Will Honor Puerto Rico's Musical Heritage

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino San Juan will be developed in partnership with Misla Hospitality, Stonecrest Investment Management, and The Interfin Companies. The property will be located adjacent to Old San Juan, just minutes from Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport.

According to the announcement, the resort will include a 400+ room hotel overlooking both the Atlantic Ocean and San Juan Bay. The facility will also include 186 branded residences and 58 suites.

Puerto Rico Governor Jenniffer González-Colón welcomed the Hard Rock project, saying it will help generate jobs and become another attraction for the island.

“The launch in San Juan of the first hotel, casino, and residential complex by the prestigious firm Hard Rock International opens a world of possibilities for economic development,” González Colón said in a statement. “This significant $850 million investment helps continue positioning Puerto Rico as an ideal destination in the Caribbean for tourism, living, and global investment.”

 Hard Rock said that the resort would pay homage to Puerto Rican culture, with a specific emphasis on its musical heritage. The resort will include a recording studio and event venues capable of hosting concerts.

“Music is at the heart of both Hard Rock and Puerto Rico, making this a perfect union,” Hard Rock International COO Jeff Hook said in a statement. “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.”

Thousands of Jobs Promised for Construction, Completed Resort

Of course, both the developers and local officials were also quick to tout the economic benefits of bringing the first integrated casino resort to Puerto Rico. In the press release, Hard Rock said the facility will create over 2,500 construction jobs and 1,250 permanent team member positions after the complex opens.

“This is an ambitious project that expands Puerto Rico’s hotel capacity in one of the island’s most iconic and attractive areas,” Discover Puerto Rico President and CEO Jorge L. Perez said. “At Discover Puerto Rico, we welcome the opportunities this development represents for the island’s sustainable economic growth.”

The casino project comes as Puerto Rico continues to expand its regulated gaming market, including developments in 2024 for sports betting across the island. Hard Rock operates more than 300 venues in nearly 80 countries, with casino resorts in key U.S. gaming markets including Las Vegas, Atlantic City, and throughout Florida. 

The brand has also entered the online gambling space, through its Hard Rock Games social casino and the Hard Rock Bet sportsbook and casino, a regulated iGaming site available in several US states.