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Atlantic City is about to get a world-class indoor waterpark on the City Boardwalk with the record-breaking attraction set to open its doors in 2023
Tom Anstey | Planet Attractions | 03 Feb 2022
The US$100m investment is set to open to the public next year Credit: Tower Investments
The Jersey Shore will soon be home to the world’s largest beachfront indoor waterpark, following a US$100m (€87.4m, £73.6m) investment that will see the new attraction come to life as part of the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
The attraction, backed by Philadelphia-based developer Bart Blatstein and his company Tower Investments, broke ground last month, with the 103,000sq ft (9,600sq m) Island Waterpark designed to give families a year-round option for the seaside destination. A retractable glass roof will cover the waterpark, with the roof remaining open through the summer months.
The park, says an official release, will feature a range of water slides, pools, a lazy river, F&B outlets, a retail space, lounge areas and a party room. There will also be an adults-only space offering alcoholic beverages and spa treatments.
“This waterpark is going to crush it,” said Blatstein, speaking during the attraction’s groundbreaking ceremony, adding that the attraction will be open by Memorial Day weekend 2023.
A retractable roof makes the Jersey Shore attraction a year-round prospect CREDIT: TOWER INVESTMENTS
The new waterpark is being built on a vacant plot of land adjacent to the former Showboat casino, a property owned and operated by Blatstein as a non-gambling hotel since he acquired it for US$23m (€20.1m, £16.9m) in 2016.
"Atlantic City has a long and rich history as a premier tourist destination," added Blatstein in a press statement. "Showboat is committed to bringing non-gaming, family-friendly entertainment back to Atlantic City, and the waterpark is one more piece to that puzzle."
The waterpark is being part-financed by a 20-year state tax incentive. In 2020 the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority approved the project as an entertainment retail district, which entitles it to a rebate of up to US$2.5m (€2.2m, £1.8m) in sales tax generated for the next two decades. Additional tax breaks have also been granted on construction materials for the development process.
Atlantic City-based SOSH Architects are behind the waterpark’s design, while Orlando-based Martin Aquatic Design and Engineering worked on the interiors. Hotel and Leisure Advisors (H&LA) worked with the developer on the feasibility study for the project.
The adjacent Showboat, also owned by Tower Investments, will directly connect to the waterpark for easy access CREDIT: TOWER INVESTMENTS
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