Gulfstream Park, which some have grandiosely called the Taj Mahal of horse racing for its elaborate clubhouse and "village" areas could become a whole lot bigger. Yet another half-built project of the last real estate boom, the completed areas are surrounded by a sea of parking that could soon be filled up with two trackside hotel towers, 50,000 additional grandstand seats (largely replacing the demolished historic grandstand which ironically had the capacity), a concert hall, a standalone casino, and a 4D theater (those theme park theaters that have vibrating seats, water spraying at you, etc.) topped by a giant pegasus statue in a park area. The expanded grandstand is an attempt to lure the Breeder's Cup race back to the track, while everything else is another sign of the strong recovery of South Florida's loony real estate market. The giant pegasus statue, a magical horse with wings, might be meant to evoke some dreamy horse related imagery. They run so fast they fly?
Although plans have yet to be submitted to the city, the ambitious goal is to start construction at the end of this year's racing season, with the external structure of the hotels and grandstand completed by the 2013 racing season opening day next December.
· Gulfstream plans major expansion in pursuit of Breeder's Cup [Sun Sentinel]