Montecasino

This article is about a South African entertainment complex.

For the rocky hill south of Rome, see Monte Cassino. For the battle during in WWII, see Battle of Monte Cassino. For the abbey located on that hill, see Abbey of Monte Cassino. For the Peter Sellers fictional character, see Monty Casino.

The tethered helium passenger balloon rising over the Montecasino buildings.

Montecasino is a leisure and casino complex located at No.1 Montecasino Boulevard in Fourways, Sandton, Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa. Montecasino is built on 26 hectares of land ^[1]. It was designed and built by South African architect company, Bentel Associates International, at a cost of R1.6 billion rand ^[2]. It first opened its doors on 30 November 2000 ^[3]. It currently attracts over 9.3 million visitors annually ^[4]. It is themed after Monte Cassino^{[citation needed]}. It has been meticulously designed to replicate an ancient Tuscan village ^[5]. The main building with the casino even has a fake sky, painted on the roof, inside going from light to dark from one side to the other.

Montecasino is owned by Tsogo Sun. Tsogo Sun is a partnership between Southern Sun and Tsogo Investments. Tsogo Investments is a black empowerment group and the hotel component of Tsogo Sun's casinos are developed and managed by Southern Sun. Tsogo Sun holds the casino license for Montecasino ^[6].

Teatro

The Teatro opened its doors in May 2007. The Teatro was constructed at a cost of over R100 million and is one of the 10 largest Lyric theatres in the world. The Teatro is currently the largest theater in South Africa. It is the largest theatre at montecasino and can sit 1,870 people at full capacity ^[7]. The Teatro theatre has hosted major musical productions like the Disney Broadway musical The Lion King in 2007. It was the first Lion King show to have an entirely local cast^{[citation needed]}.

The Pivot

The Pivot is a 2010 development for montecasino. It comprises a mixture of office, retail and a new hotel.

ABSA Balloon

The Hot air balloon at Montecasino is called the ABSA balloon. It is operated by the company, Aerial Displays. It is sometimes referred to as the "Jozi Eye".

Awards

Montecasino has won numerous awards since 2001 ^[8]. This includes the following awards:

• 2009/11/30 - "The Readers Choice Awards" - Best Casino
• 2009/10/15 - "Leisure Options" - Best Cinema Complex
• 2009/10/15 - "Leisure Options" - Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners in Jozi
• 2009/10/15 - "Leisure Options" - Best Entertainment Complex
• 2009/09/08 - "PMR - Diamond Arrow" - Gauteng province - Business Sector: Leading Casino / Entertainment Centre
• 2008/08/08 - "PMR - Diamond Arrow" - Gauteng province - Business Sector: Leading Casino / Entertainment Centre
• 2008/08/08 - "The Star" - Best Casino
• 2008/09/08 - "Leisure Options" - Best Cinema Complex
• 2008/09/08 - "Leisure Options" - Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners in Jozi
• 2008/09/08 - "Leisure Options" - Best Entertainment Complex
• 2007/10/06 - "Tourism Grading Council of South Africa" - Five star grading as a Meeting, Exhibition & Special Events venue
• 2007/10/07 - "PMR - Golden arrow" - Gauteng province Business Sector: Best Casino/Entertainment Centres in Gauteng Province
• 2007/10/07 - "Leisure Options" - Best Cinema Complex
• 2007/10/07 - "Leisure Options" - Best Place to Take Out-of-Towners in Jozi
• 2007/10/07 - "Leisure Options" - Best Entertainment Complex
• 2007/10/07 - "Tourism Grading Council of South Africa" - Five star grading as a Meeting, Exhibition & Special Events venue
• 2006/10/06 - "Leisure Options" - Best Thai Restaurant - Kai Thai
• 2006/10/06 - "Leisure Options" - Best Dinner on a budget and best steakhouse - Franchise - Spur
• 2006/10/06 - "Leisure Options" - Best Fish/Seafood Restaurant - Ocean Basket
• 2006/10/06 - "Leisure Options" - Best Book Shop - Exclusive Books
• 2006/10/06 - "Leisure Options" - Best Entertainment Complex
• 2006/10/06 - "Leisure Options" - Best Ladies Night Venue - Café Vacca Matta
• 2006/10/06 - "Leisure Options" - Best Cinema complex - Montecasino Nu Metro
• 2006/10/06 - "Leisure Options" - Best Children's menu in a restaurant and best kids' party venue - indoor - Spur
• 2006/08/06 - "The Star" - Best Casino
• 2006/08/06 - "Pretoria News" - Best Casino
• 2005/08/01 - "The Star" - Best Casino
• 2005/08/01 - "Pretoria News" - Best Casino
• 2005/10/01 - "Leisure Options" - Best Entertainment Complex
• 2005/10/01 - "Leisure Options" - Best Cinema Complex
• 2005/10/01 - "PMR Gauteng Province" - Leaders and Achievers - Executive Lifestyle: Best Entertainment Centre
• 2004/10/01 - "The Star" - Best Casino
• 2004/10/01 - "Pretoria News" - Best Casino
• 2004/10/01 - "Leisure Options" - Best Entertainment Complex
• 2004/10/01 - "Leisure Options" - Best Cinema complex
• 2004/10/01 - "Leisure Options" - Best Steakhouse Franchise
• 2004/10/01 - "Leisure Options" - Best Ladies Night Venue
• 2004/06/01 - "South African Landscapers Institute" - InterContinental Palazzo Hotel Gardens won a Gold Award
• 2004/06/01 - "South African Landscapers Institute" - Montecasino Bird Gardens won a Silver Award for Maintenance of Large Landscape Gardens
• 2003/10/01 - "Leisure Options" - Best Casino
• 2003/10/01 - "ROCCI" - Service Excellence
• 2002/10/01 - "Leisure Options" - Best Casino
• 2001/10/01 - "ROCCI" - Community Contribution, Service Excellence & Special Award for Large Business Beyond ROCCI Regional Boundaries

References

1. ^ Montecasino, Pivot
2. ^ Montecasino, Architect
3. ^ Montecasino, Overview
4. ^ Montecasino, Fact Sheet
5. ^ Montecasino, Design
6. ^ Montecasino, Tsogo Sun
7. ^ Montecasino, Teatro
8. ^ Montecasino, Awards

External links

• Montecasino
• Tsogo Sun
• Montecasino Fact Sheet

Coordinates: 26°01′27″S 28°00′46″E / 26.0241333°S 28.0128193°E / -26.0241333; 28.0128193