Why is Atlantic City’s only enclosed shopping mall sitting abandoned after Caesars casino invested almost $170,000,000 into updating the property?
This video documentary is about the pier in front of Caesar’s Casino. A deeper look inside the building.
The history and transformation of Atlantic City’s only enclosed shopping mall, originally known as Ocean One Mall and Million Dollar Pier.
Background.
- Original Concept (1983): Ocean One Mall. Design inspired by cruise ship. Atlantic City’s primary retail destination.
- Pier Shops at Caesars (2006): Radical renovation, featuring luxury brands Gucci, Tiffany & Co., Apple.
- $8 million fountain showcased hourly water show.
- Playground Pier (2015): Developer Bart Blatstein shifted focus from retail to nightlife.
- Pier became ghost mall with most retail spaces left vacant.
- Pier property leased to ACX1 Studios, a film and television production hub.
Young’s Million Dollar Pier.
Opened in 1906 by Captain John L. Young, this Atlantic City landmark was famous for its opulence and unusual features.
- Pier hosted 1925 Miss America Pageant.
- Pier destroyed by fire in 1981, demolished in 1983.
- Million Dollar Pier (1906–1981): Entertainment pier featuring amusements, mansion, early Miss America pageants.
- Ocean One Mall (1983–2003): Shopping mall built in shape of an ocean liner, had 125 stores at its peak.
- Pier Shops at Caesars (2006–2015): Major renovation that reopened as an upscale shopping destination with luxury brands like Gucci, Louis Vuitton, and an Apple Store. Known for its water fountain display.
- Playground Pier (2015–2023): Renamed and rebranded as entertainment venue, suffered from high vacancy rates.
- ACX1 Studios (2024–present): The current iteration focusing on film and media production, with limited retail.
Why? Easy. There is no nearby parking without trudging through the casinos from their expensive lots. There used to be a municipal lot on the boardwalk with $5 parking and the city sold it to Caesar’s. Did you ever try to get there?