Try the Web App

MGM Grand Detroit Casino

Discover cities like never before.

Enjoy over self-guided city exploration with our app ‘Explory’. Learn all about the history and discover hidden more than 500.000 hidden gems, that only locals know about. Build custom tours, find nearby places, and start exploring instantly.

Try the Web App

Stretching skyward, the MGM Grand Detroit Casino’s hotel tower beckons. The tower lures visitors into a world of gambling and entertainment. This isn’t just any casino. This is a Detroit landmark.

The MGM Grand Detroit opened as the first legal casino in Detroit in July 1999. It occupied a renovated Internal Revenue Service office. The temporary casino cost 235 million dollars. Plans were already underway for a grander permanent resort.

Fast forward to October 3, 2007. The permanent luxury resort hotel opened. The grand event included models and celebrities like Ashanti and Kid Rock. Fireworks lit up the Detroit sky. Detroit became one of the largest American cities with casino resort hotels.

In 2005, MGM Grand Detroit faced a potential sale. Parent company MGM MIRAGE acquired rival casino company Mandalay Resort Group. Michigan gaming laws prevented owning multiple casinos. MGM MIRAGE ultimately sold the MotorCity Casino to Marian Ilitch.

The permanent casino boasts 100000 square feet of gaming space. It features 401 hotel rooms and an eight-story parking garage. The location is on John C. Lodge Freeway and Bagley Street. There is 30000 square feet of meeting space. Live performances can seat 1200 people. Third Street was rebuilt into a two-way boulevard. This eased traffic around the MGM Grand Detroit.

Many designers contributed to the MGM Grand Detroit. Hamilton Anderson Associates and the SmithGroup of Detroit worked together. Cleo Design of Las Vegas contributed. Carol Harris of Detroit added her touch. Lawrence Lee of California also helped. Toni Chi of New York and Super Potato of Japan rounded out the design team. Paul Tonti of the SmithGroup and Thomas Sherry of Hamilton Anderson Associates were the lead architects.

Across the river, Caesars Windsor attracts about six million visitors annually. Metro Detroit is within a 300-mile radius of an estimated 46 million people. Since 2000, Detroit has seen increasing casino tax revenues. The city estimated 178.25 million dollars in casino taxes for 2007.

Ownership of MGM Grand Detroit changed in 2016. It was transferred to MGM Growth Properties. Vici Properties later acquired MGM Growth Properties in 2022. MGM Resorts continues to operate the MGM Grand Detroit under a lease agreement.

Visible from the John C. Lodge Freeway, the MGM Grand Detroit stands out. Its neo-Art Deco design reflects the style of “new” Las Vegas. The hotel tower has a boomerang shape. A precast-concrete base resembles limestone. The casino complex spans twenty-five acres. It offers 1.1 million square feet of space. 100000 square feet are devoted to gaming. The eighteen-story hotel features luxury restaurants and nightclubs. There is a pool and spa. Valet parking accommodates 1500 cars.

MGM Grand Detroit Casino contributes significantly to Detroit’s economy. It generates tax revenue for the city and the state. It attracts tourist dollars from Michigan and beyond. The MGM Grand Detroit outdoes the other casinos. It establishes MGM Mirage as the dominant gambling presence in the region. The Detroit casino is related to the Mirage in Las Vegas. Remember that the glitz and glamor is not just luck. It is Detroit’s determination shining bright.

The story of MGM Grand Detroit Casino in Detroit is just one of many fascinating insights you can discover with Explory. To experience the city beyond its surface, you need more than just a map – you need a smart guide that reveals the background, the culture, and the character of each place. With Explory’s city guide, you can dive deeper into Detroit and transform your visit into a unique city tour filled with stories that bring history and everyday life to light. Explory connects you with Detroit in a new way. Our guide doesn’t just show you where to go – it enriches your journey with context and atmosphere. Through carefully designed routes and storytelling, you’ll uncover hidden gems and unexpected highlights that even locals might miss. The audio guide makes the city come alive, allowing you to listen while you walk and explore at your own pace. Our city guide is ideal for travelers who want more than sightseeing. Whether your interest is culture, architecture, or local traditions, Explory enables authentic exploration. Each city tour is flexible and intuitive, helping you experience Detroit with freedom while still being guided by expert knowledge. By combining narrative, navigation, and discovery, Explory ensures your trip becomes an adventure filled with hidden gems and lasting impressions. Take the next step and download the Explory App today. Inside, you’ll find over 300 cities and more than 500,000 POIs and stories to explore. Whether you’re searching for a reliable guide, want to try an immersive audio guide, or plan a memorable city tour, Explory is your all-in-one companion. Begin your journey now and uncover the true essence of Detroit – only with Explory.

More Places in Detroit

Annapolis High School

Established in 1967, Annapolis High School has been a cornerstone of Dearborn Heights, Michigan. It’s the sole high school within

Explore

Comerica Park

Have you ever wondered what replaced the legendary Tiger Stadium? Right here stands Comerica Park, the roaring home of the

Explore

Oakland County

Whispers of “Car City” drift on the wind here in Oakland County. But Oakland County hums with a different energy

Explore

Novi Township

“Organized in 1832.” Does that pique your interest in Novi Township? Novi Township is a civil township in Oakland County.

Explore