KERN COUNTY, California — Hard Rock recently held a topping-off ceremony at the site of the new Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon, which is scheduled to open in late 2025. The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon in Kern County, California – located about 25 minutes south of Bakersfield – will be more than 700,000 square feet, of which 150,000 square feet will be gaming space, featuring 3,000 slots, 48 table games and video poker. It will be the second closest class III casino to Los Angeles, which is less than an hour away.
Multiple dining options, including a signature Hard Rock Cafe and fine dining restaurant, Council Oak Steaks and Seafood, a Rock Shop and much more will be included in phase one.
The second phase will boast a 400-room hotel, additional fine dining, pool, spa, cigar lounge and 2,800-seat Hard Rock Live event venue, which will draw attractions like concerts, comedy acts and sporting events. Hard Rock’s signature memorabilia will be on display throughout the property.
The anticipated completion date of phase one is slated for the end of 2025. Phase two is expected to be another 20 months and will complete the entire hotel and casino. Once both phases are completed, the project is expected to create approximately 5,000 direct and indirect jobs, both full-time and part-time.
Tejon Indian Tribe Chairman, Seminole Tribe of Florida Chairman and Hard Rock International executives participated in the beam-signing during the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon topping-off ceremony. During the symbolic ceremony, construction team members hoisted the final steel beam and secured it to the top of the structure, marking a significant milestone. The long-standing custom, attributed to the ancient Scandinavian ritual of placing a tree on the top of a newly completed building, celebrates the construction efforts and crews that are involved with the project.
“The Topping Off Ceremony represents the completion of a building’s structure, but it also symbolizes much more – it signifies the strength of teamwork, the foundation of future growth and the community impact this project will have,” stated Octavio Escobedo III, chairman of the Tejon Tribe. “We look forward to the Grand Opening in 2025. I also want to thank all the hard-working team members on the construction side who have made our project a success and for your efforts in building a world class project in Kern County.”
“Today marks a significant milestone as we place the final beam atop the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon,” said Jon Lucas, COO at Hard Rock International. “This property represents our continued commitment to delivering world-class entertainment and hospitality while fostering a strong partnership with the Tejon Indian Tribe. We are excited about the economic opportunities this project will bring and look forward to the lasting positive impact it will have on the region for years to come.”
For more information about Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tejon, please visit casino.hardrock.com/tejon.
