History of Encore Boston Harbor in Timeline

Encore Boston Harbor, a $2.6 billion luxury resort and casino in Everett, Massachusetts, opened on June 23, 2019. Owned by Realty Income and operated by Wynn Resorts, it transformed a 33-acre industrial site on the Mystic River into an integrated destination. Features include a hotel, harborwalk, restaurants, casino, spa, retail outlets, meeting and convention space, and public amenities such as a picnic park, performance lawn, and art installations.

1917: Merrimac Chemical Company Acquisition

In 1917, Merrimac Chemical Company acquired the land along the Mystic River in Everett, Massachusetts. This land later became an industrial center used by Monsanto starting in 1929.

1929: Monsanto Occupies Land

In 1929, Monsanto began using the land along the Mystic River in Everett, Massachusetts, which had been acquired by Merrimac Chemical Company in 1917.

1983: Boston Edison Purchase

In 1983, Boston Edison purchased the parcel of land along the Mystic River in Everett, Massachusetts, previously used by Monsanto and other chemical companies.

1995: O'Donnell Sand & Gravel Purchase

In 1995, O'Donnell Sand & Gravel acquired the land along the Mystic River in Everett, Massachusetts, from Boston Edison. The land subsequently went through several ownership changes.

2011: Expanded Gaming Act Enacted

In 2011, the Massachusetts government enacted the Expanded Gaming Act, which allowed Las Vegas-style casino gaming in the state and established three territories, each eligible for one licensed casino.

March 2014: Robert J. DeSalvio Hired

In March 2014, Wynn Resorts brought in Robert J. DeSalvio to lead the Wynn Everett development process and to become the casino's president if the company won a license.

June 2014: Final Environmental Impact Report Submitted

In June 2014, Wynn Resorts submitted its Final Environmental Impact Report, a critical step in the proposal process for the Wynn Everett development.

July 2014: Casino Law Maintained

In July 2014, Massachusetts voters voted against a measure to repeal the casino law, maintaining the legality of opening three casinos in the state.

September 2014: Official Gaming License Awarded

In September 2014, Wynn Resorts was awarded an official gaming license from the state to develop and construct the Wynn Everett integrated resort. The decision was met with mixed reactions from local politicians.

September 2014: Casino License Approved

In September 2014, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission voted to approve Wynn Resorts' proposed $1.6 billion casino in Everett, granting it the singular casino license for the eastern gaming region of Massachusetts.

2014: Wynn Announces Water Taxi Service and Public Transportation Plans

In 2014, the casino shared its transportation plans to ensure seamless connectivity for its guests. These plans included a water taxi service offering convenient travel within Boston Harbor, a public boat dock to accommodate private vessels, and a ferry service with a $7 fare to and from Long Wharf, 6 New Street East Boston, and the World Trade Center in South Boston.

January 5, 2015: Land Purchase Finalized

On January 5, 2015, Wynn Resorts finalized the purchase of 33 acres of land along the Mystic River in Everett for $35 million, announcing plans to develop an integrated resort.

January 15, 2015: New Design Unveiled

On January 15, 2015, Wynn Resorts unveiled the new design for Wynn Everett to state regulators, featuring a bronze glass hotel tower with 24 floors and two large indoor gardens.

January 2015: Wynn Resorts Purchases Land

In January 2015, Wynn Resorts purchased 33 acres of land along the Mystic River in Everett, Massachusetts, announcing plans to build the resort-casino Wynn Everett. Approximately 30 of those acres had been set aside for industrial use and were inaccessible to the public for over 100 years.

January 2015: Lawsuits Filed Over License

In January 2015, the cities of Revere, Somerville, and Boston filed separate lawsuits against the Massachusetts Gaming Commission over the gaming license awarded to Wynn Resorts, citing issues such as traffic congestion.

May 2015: Construction Hiring Preparation

By May 2015, Wynn Resorts and the city of Everett were preparing for construction hires, with Wynn's Robert DeSalvio stating the importance of getting started early at a job fair.

August 2015: New Harborwalk Rendering Released

In August 2015, Wynn Resorts released a new rendering of the harborwalk, which will connect the resort with the neighboring Gateway Center Park.

August 2015: Wynn Resorts Unveils Plans for Harborwalk

Wynn Resorts, in August 2015, announced its ambitious plans to create a public harborwalk as part of the Encore Boston Harbor development. The harborwalk, with its park and boardwalk nestled between the resort and the Mystic River, aimed to revive public access to the waterfront after over a century.

September 28, 2015: Planning Board Approval

On September 28, 2015, Wynn Everett received final unanimous approval from the City of Everett Planning Board, allowing Wynn to apply for building permits.

November 10, 2015: Contracts Awarded to Veteran-Owned Businesses

By November 10, 2015, Wynn Resorts announced it had awarded more than $3 million in contracts to certified veteran-owned businesses during the resort's design phase.

November 2015: Dismissal of Boston's Lawsuit Regarding Wynn Project

Boston's legal battle to be recognized as the host community for the Wynn project, stemming from the site's sole road access running through a part of Charlestown, concluded in November 2015 with the lawsuit's dismissal.

2015: Issuance of Wynn Everett's Environmental Permit

In 2015, Wynn Everett secured a crucial environmental permit from the Department of Environmental Protection. This permit, however, became a point of contention, facing legal challenges from Somerville that temporarily stalled the project's remediation efforts.

January 19, 2016: Suffolk Construction Company Announced as General Contractor

On January 19, 2016, Suffolk Construction Company was chosen to head the construction of the Wynn Everett project. The company had an impressive portfolio, having previously constructed landmarks like the Mandarin Oriental, Liberty Hotel, and the Boston Opera House.

February 2016: Agreement Reached Between Wynn and Boston

Following the dismissal of Boston's lawsuit in November 2015, Steve Wynn and Boston's mayor, Marty Walsh, engaged in discussions that led to a "treaty." This agreement, marking Boston's official entry into a Surrounding Community Agreement with Wynn, received approval from state gambling regulators in February 2016.

February 2016: Somerville Appeals Wynn Everett's Environmental Permit

Somerville lodged an administrative appeal in February 2016, challenging Wynn Everett's 2015 environmental permit issued by the Department of Environmental Protection. This appeal, as reported by the media, carried the risk of a year-long delay for the project.

February 2016: Construction Put on Hold Due to Appeal

Wynn Everett's construction faced a setback in February 2016. Initially slated to commence in April, the project was put on hold due to Somerville's appeal. This delay had significant financial implications, with Wynn Resorts estimating a monthly loss of $55 million for Massachusetts.

March 2016: Steve Wynn Unveils Wynn Boston Harbor Details

In March 2016, Steve Wynn, during a presentation of a detailed model of the resort, officially revealed the project's working name as Wynn Boston Harbor. He also announced a revised project cost of $2 billion, up from the initial $1.7 billion, and an anticipated groundbreaking ceremony in July.

August 2016: Construction Begins After Somerville Drops Appeal

After months of legal battles and delays, construction on Wynn Everett finally got underway in August 2016, following the City of Somerville's decision to withdraw its appeal.

2018: Projected Opening Delayed

Originally projected to open in 2018, the opening of Wynn Everett was later pushed to mid-2019.

2018: Sexual Misconduct Allegations Against Steve Wynn and Name Change to Encore Boston Harbor

The year 2018 brought significant turmoil for the Wynn project. A series of sexual misconduct allegations surfaced against Steve Wynn, prompting an investigation by the Gaming Commission and leading to Wynn's departure from Wynn Resorts. To distance the project from its founder, its name was changed to Encore Boston Harbor. The company also contemplated selling the under-construction casino should the investigation yield unfavorable results.

April 2019: Massachusetts Gaming Commission Fines Wynn Resorts and Clears Casino Opening

The Massachusetts Gaming Commission, in April 2019, imposed a hefty $35 million fine on Wynn Resorts for its failure to disclose years of sexual misconduct allegations against its founder. Additionally, CEO Matthew Maddox received a $500,000 fine. Despite the penalties, the commission gave the green light for the casino to open on June 23, 2019.

June 23, 2019: Encore Boston Harbor Opening

Encore Boston Harbor opened on June 23, 2019, at a total cost of $2.6 billion. The luxury resort and casino, located in Everett, Massachusetts, features a hotel, harborwalk, restaurants, casino, spa, retail outlets, and meeting and convention space.

October 2019: Negotiations for Mystic River Bridge Funding and Access Rights

In October 2019, negotiations were underway to determine funding and access rights for a proposed bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Mystic River. The bridge, connecting the Encore Boston Harbor casino to the Assembly station on the Orange Line in Somerville, was awaiting funding decisions. Potential contributors to the project included the casino, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the MBTA, and the cities of Everett and Somerville.

October 2019: Encore Boston Harbor Implements Free Parking

In a customer-friendly move, Encore Boston Harbor, in October 2019, made parking free for its patrons. This decision came after an initial period where parking fees ranged from $22 to $42 for durations of 6 to 24 hours. The parking garage also provided designated spaces for bicycles, further encouraging eco-friendly transportation options.

December 2019: Encore Boston Harbor Achieves LEED Platinum Certification

In December 2019, the U.S. Green Building Council awarded the Encore Boston Harbor its LEED Platinum certification, a testament to the building's sustainability and environmental friendliness.

2019: Opening Year

The Wynn Everett, later named Encore Boston Harbor, officially opened its doors in 2019.

2019: Projected Opening of Wynn Everett

Wynn Resorts anticipated the creation of 4,000 permanent jobs for the grand opening of Wynn Everett in 2019.

2022: Wynn Sells Land and Buildings to Realty Income

In 2022, Wynn Resorts completed a leaseback transaction with Realty Income, selling the land and buildings associated with Encore Boston Harbor for $1.7 billion. Under this agreement, Wynn continued operating the property while paying an annual rent of $100 million.

May 2024: Wynn in Negotiations for a $400 Million Expansion

As of May 2024, Wynn Resorts was in discussions with the city of Everett regarding a proposed $400 million expansion project. This expansion aimed to introduce additional gaming, dining, and entertainment options on the east side of Broadway, connected to the existing property via an overhead walkway. Wynn had already invested $25 million in acquiring a 45-acre plot from Constellation Energy, the site of the decommissioned Mystic Generating Station, for this potential expansion.