MGM National Harbor set to open in December

MGM National Harbor casino and resort
The MGM National Harbor casino and resort opens Dec. 8, 2016. (Courtesy MGM)
Bob Dylan works on a sculpture called “Portal” for the MGM National Harbor casino, his first permanent sculpture exhibit.  (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Bob Dylan works on a sculpture called “Portal” for the MGM National Harbor casino, his first permanent sculpture exhibit. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Clean lines, modern functionality, signature wood millwork accents and floor-to-ceiling windows boasting stunning views define the 308 rooms and suites, ranging in size from 400 to 3,210 square feet. Complementing the resort's modern elegance, room and suite designs draw inspiration from forest and water elements native to Maryland while incorporating vistas of the surrounding landscape. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
The guest rooms in the resort feature clean lines and modern functionality plus floor-to-ceiling windows. The rooms and suits range in size from 400 to 3,210 square feet. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Alice Aycock's "Whirlpool." (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Alice Aycock’s “Whirlpool,” seen in this artists rendering, is among the various public art projects incorporated into the resort. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
This artists rendering shows the 3,000-seat theater venue inside the casino and resort. The venue can be reconfigured for fights, concerts or other special events. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
This artists rendering shows the 3,000-seat theater venue inside the casino and resort. The venue can be reconfigured for fights, concerts or other special events. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
This artists rendering shows the Blossom Cocktail Lounge was inspired by the District's famous chery blossoms. A second venue, called Felt Bar & Lounge also will offer cocktails. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
This artists rendering shows the Blossom Cocktail Lounge was inspired by the District’s famous cherry blossoms. A second venue, called Felt Bar & Lounge also will offer cocktails. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
MGM National Harbor
This photo shows the designs for the MGM National Harbor casino and resort’s executive corner suite. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
MGM National Harbor
The Chairman’s suites at the MGM National Harbor casino and resort will be the largest available room at 3,210 square feet. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
This artist's rendering shows what the 50s-style ice cream food stall will look like inside the under construction MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort in Prince George's County. The $1.3 billion resort is set to open later this year and will feature a food market with 10 different vendors including S'Cream. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort)
This artist’s rendering shows what the 50s-style ice cream food stall will look like inside the under construction MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort in Prince George’s County. The $1.3 billion resort is set to open later this year and will feature a food market with 10 different vendors including S’Cream. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort)
The MGM National Harbor casino, under construction in April. (Courtesy of MGM)
The MGM National Harbor casino, under construction in April. (Courtesy of MGM)
This artist's rendering shows what the seafood stall will look like inside the under construction MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort in Prince George's County. The $1.3 billion resort is set to open later this year and will feature a food market with 10 different vendors. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort)
This artist’s rendering shows what the seafood stall will look like inside the under construction MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort in Prince George’s County. The $1.3 billion resort is set to open later this year and will feature a food market with 10 different vendors. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort)
This artisits rendering shows the MGM National Harbor resort and casino.  (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
This artists rendering shows the MGM National Harbor resort and casino. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
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MGM National Harbor casino and resort
Bob Dylan works on a sculpture called “Portal” for the MGM National Harbor casino, his first permanent sculpture exhibit.  (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Clean lines, modern functionality, signature wood millwork accents and floor-to-ceiling windows boasting stunning views define the 308 rooms and suites, ranging in size from 400 to 3,210 square feet. Complementing the resort's modern elegance, room and suite designs draw inspiration from forest and water elements native to Maryland while incorporating vistas of the surrounding landscape. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
Alice Aycock's "Whirlpool." (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
This artists rendering shows the 3,000-seat theater venue inside the casino and resort. The venue can be reconfigured for fights, concerts or other special events. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
This artists rendering shows the Blossom Cocktail Lounge was inspired by the District's famous chery blossoms. A second venue, called Felt Bar & Lounge also will offer cocktails. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)
MGM National Harbor
MGM National Harbor
This artist's rendering shows what the 50s-style ice cream food stall will look like inside the under construction MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort in Prince George's County. The $1.3 billion resort is set to open later this year and will feature a food market with 10 different vendors including S'Cream. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort)
The MGM National Harbor casino, under construction in April. (Courtesy of MGM)
This artist's rendering shows what the seafood stall will look like inside the under construction MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort in Prince George's County. The $1.3 billion resort is set to open later this year and will feature a food market with 10 different vendors. (Courtesy MGM National Harbor Casino and Resort)
This artisits rendering shows the MGM National Harbor resort and casino.  (Courtesy MGM National Harbor)

WASHINGTON — MGM says it is now taking reservations for rooms at its $1.4 billion MGM National Harbor casino and resort, with standard room rates starting at $399 a night. MGM says suite rates begin at $599.

The resort will open to the public Dec. 8, about a year and a half after construction began.

“Under one roof, guests will enjoy a sophisticated hotel experience, high-energy casino, celebrity-chef restaurants, world-class entertainment, night life, destination spa, upscale retail and curated art, complemented by incredible panoramas of D.C., Maryland and Virginia,” said Bill Boasberg, the resort’s general manager.

Those celebrity chefs include Jose Andres, Marcus Samuelsson and Bryan and Michael Voltaggio.

There also is a pastry shop, called Bellagio Patisserie, that has a 26-foot tall chocolate fountain circulating two tons of melted chocolate. MGM says it’s one of the world’s largest chocolate fountains.

The million square-foot resort’s 23-story hotel has about 300 rooms and suites.

The resort includes 125,000 square feet of casino space, with poker and other table games and more than 3,000 slot machines.

Other amenities include a 27,000-square-foot spa and salon, 18,000 square feet of retailers and 50,000 square feet of meeting space.

The casino also employs a lot of local residents, with more than 4,000 people on the payroll.

MGM officially broke ground on its National Harbor resort in March 2015.

Watch a time-lapse video of the construction:

Jeff Clabaugh

Jeff Clabaugh has spent 20 years covering the Washington region's economy and financial markets for WTOP as part of a partnership with the Washington Business Journal, and officially joined the WTOP newsroom staff in January 2016.

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