Casinos have long competed to be the most impressive spectacles. Visiting a casino in person is not always just about playing the games – there are usually entertaining shows and of course, architecture to check out when people are there.
Architecture has more styles than ever, so what are casinos known for when it comes to their looks? We explore which are the most discussed architecturally designed casinos.
Brands are always looking for a way to set themselves apart, and innovative designs are seen in the way casinos look and operate, and brands are always pushing the envelope to include some stunning architectural concepts.
Marina Bay Sands, Singapore
This is one that simply has to be on the list. While some people may first think of cities and places in the West, there are some incredible places to visit in the East, too. Singapore is known for being frequented by those who enjoy a lavish lifestyle, and a lot of life’s luxuries are included in the hotel rooms at the Marina Bay Sands.
The project was led by Sheldon Adelson, who was a magnate and businessman known for huge developments such as this. At the time, it was the most expensive building ever opened in the modern world. There are three towers making up the amazing design, and on top, there is a pool spanning the three towers, making it visually very impressive. The views from the top are stunning.
Since it opened in 2010, with 3,000 rooms within the resort, it has been a huge success. It should be noted that this is a busy resort, too, with shows and events regularly taking place within. Marina Bay Sands is one of the most impressive buildings in the whole of the East and there are plans to extend it further.
Ritz Club, London
The Ritz is one of the most iconic buildings in the whole of London, which itself is packed with things to do and amazing nightlife in areas such as Soho.
The Ritz Club was the gambling section of this hotel, which has now closed, but it qualifies for our list when it comes to architectural design. London is a city with an incredible history and the buildings are indicative of that. The Ritz overlooks Green Park and has a stunning setting within London where there is a lot of greenery, which is rare for the city. Its setting in central London means it is within easy reach of the bustling restaurants and nightlife of Soho or the theatre district.
In terms of how it looks, the style is a neoclassical Louis XVI building by architect Charles Mewés, who also designed its sister venue, the Ritz in Paris.
The Ritz is simply a hotel now. A number of well-known people have chosen to stay here historically, so this is also somewhere people can walk in the footsteps of some Hollywood icons and other globally famous people.
Monte Carlo Casino, Monte Carlo
We couldn’t leave this stunning example off the list. Monte Carlo is not a cheap place to visit and it hosts a number of the most expensive hotels and restaurants you’ll find in the world. However, there are also some stunning things to see and the architecture is amazing.
The Monte Carlo Casino is arguably one of the city’s most important monuments. It was designed by Charles Garnier, who was recruited because of his work on the Paris Opera, so it has a traditional French influence. The outside of the building is designed in the opulent Belle Époque style, and the fact that it is surrounded by gardens makes it even more impressive. The history of this casino is interesting, with it being opened as a way to potentially raise money for Charles III’s leadership.
Bond fans may recognise the casino, as it was featured in the book Casino Royale and was the location for filming in the Bond movies Never Say Never Again (1983) and GoldenEye (1995).
Conclusion
There are some American casinos that might feel hard done by not being on our list, but the developments in Asia and the history in the European cities on our list just pipped them to their spots on here.
Germany also has some historic casinos built in very different styles, and London is packed with venues with a lot of history, including numerous casinos besides The Ritz.
In some locations, there is still a thriving market for in-person casinos, even as their online counterparts multiply.
