The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

ATLANTIS is aiming to expand and upgrade at least three of its existing eateries, and potentially introduce a new restaurant concept, within the next 12-18 months.

George Markantonis, Brookfield Hospitality’s president and managing director, told Tribune Business the potential upgrades were being assessed as the Paradise Island resort plans to invest $48 million in capital projects this year.

In an interview with Tribune Business inside the recently-opened Todd English’s Olives restaurant, Mr Markantonis confirmed that among the resort’s capital projects were new restaurants and upgrades to some of its 21 existing dining establishments.

“We have numerous capital projects we are looking at, including more new restaurants and some upgrades to our existing restaurants in the the next 18 months,” said Mr Markantonis.

“We want to upgrade at least three of our existing facilities - expand and upgrade them - and we have one completely new concept that we are presently evaluating that we are very excited about.”

Mr Markantonis said the Olives restaurant, replacing the Atlas Grill & Bar would employ 180 persons.

“The new construction in the casino combined is going to be just under $20 million in capital expenditures,” he told Tribune Business. “That includes Olives, The Moon Club and some of the infrastructure we had to build.

“We opened the Moon Club a week ago. Olives is employing 180 people, the Moon Club is employing 12 - that’s an increase of about 55 individuals from what it used to be in these two areas.

“A lot of that has to do with the extended hours of these new facilities, because Olives will run for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and will also go until about 3am. The Moon Club will operate from 5pm to 3am,” Mr Markantonis said.

‘We are presently working on the Cantor racing and sports books, which will be the new facility to open on September 1, that’s the next step. This year we’re going to spend about $48 million in capital across this property, average for what we would normally do, because we are always keeping the property fresh, trying to develop new items, and that’s such a great benefit not only for our repeat guests but also for our local community.”