Atlantic City’s Revel sold at last

The on again – off again bankruptcy sale of the $2.4 billion Revel Casino Resort in Atlantic City appears to have been successfully concluded, subject to the approval of the local bankruptcy court…and shrewd Florida property developer Glenn Straub has a bargain at $82 million – a hefty discount from his original $95.4 million bid when the property was auctioned (see previous report).

The deal reached with Revel’s owners is third time lucky after a Canadian bidder backed out of the deal and Straub’s offer was terminated when he did not make the sales completion deadline set by the court.

However, bankruptcy court Judge Gloria Burns created a window of opportunity by not actually issuing a final order, and that gave Straub and Revel’s owners time for last-ditch negotiations, according to a report from the Associated Press news agency.

The fresh talks resulted in the lawyers for both sides reaching agreement Tuesday at $82 million, an amount Straub has already paid over.

Straub’s legal representative told AP that the deal will close on March 31 and will see the building reopen as a recreational complex by summer this year. He revealed that plans include a $50 million-plus expansion of the exterior as well as a more accessible hotel lobby and a large medical-health spa and facility at another $50 million or more.

Straub still has to resolve issues with existing tenants and a significant amount owed to the building’s power supplier, problems that may require further court involvement.

Revel’s owners confirmed Tuesday that Straub had paid in the full $82 million purchase price in cash and that it would seek approval for the agreement from the bankruptcy court. It is assumed that Straub’s $10 million deposit is part of the $82 million agreed.

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