The Landmark Casino sits among historic treasures in Deadwood, South Dakota, sprawling across three adjacent buildings on Sherman Street.
The Adams Block, as it has become known, is a compilation of 51, 53, and 55 Sherman Street and was built in the mid-1890s. It was expanded through the early 20th century by entrepreneur William Emery Adams, who saw opportunities to “mine the miners,” as Gerard Keating, chief executive officer of Keating Resources, said.
“William Adams may be — as far as we know — the most successful person to come out of Deadwood,” Keating said. “He mined the miners. He was so successful and generous that in 1930 he built and donated the Adams Museum.”
Keating acquired the Adams Block, across the street from the famous museum, back in 2020. Immediately falling in love with the history as much as the building itself, Keating and his son Alec have made sure to preserve the history of the Adams Block as much as possible, while also bringing in a fun flare and modern look.
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“This is the first casino built in Deadwood that revolves around the theme of the history of Deadwood,” said Keating. “No one else has done this. The very essence of The Landmark Casino is their history here.”
The proper respect was given when Keating Resources began its renovation of the Adams Block, according to Keating.
Over 80 tons of steel, two-dozen miles of wiring and 23,000 thousand feet of conduit were carefully added to update and preserve the historic block without taking away from the authentic feel anyone would experience driving or walking past the location.
Every single steel beam had to be lifted in through a window before it could be put into place to protect the shell of the Adams Block buildings.
“What we have done is totally restored and remodeled the entire structure — all five levels: the basement and floors one through four — to create a historic masterpiece,” said Keating. “We brought the best designers from Las Vegas and created that feeling in this historic building while also maintaining all of the history.”
While the average building has a lifespan of just a couple hundred years as-is, Keating said the steel beams installed to reinforce the Adams Block buildings will preserve the historic structures for centuries to come.
Everything from the original murals — which have been restored — to the authenticity of the brick walls and down to the window frames, handmade doors crafted in Spearfish and many door handles have been carefully cleaned or purchased to match that of the original time frame.
The Landmark Casino is the largest historic building in Deadwood. The main entrance floor is adorned with the excitement you would expect in a Las Vegas casino, with the latest slot machines, a sleek and welcoming bar, and friendly staff to greet you.
The basement was completely cleaned despite housing most of the engineering, plumbing and heating and air controls.
“This entire basement was filled with debris up to your knees — at least that high,” Keating said. “It had to be shoveled out and hauled off. This is one of the cleanest basements you’ll probably ever see.”
An original piece of artwork, commissioned specifically for The Landmark Casino and yet to be revealed, hangs down two stories through an opening on the second floor. It’s comprised of over 350 chain links made of gold and sculpted in Spain.
“We’re trying to bring a little bit of Las Vegas to Deadwood in the form of art,” explained Keating. “Not everyone is a gamer — I’m not a gamer but I love the spirit of gaming, and I love art, so I know people will come just to see the art.”
On the second level, as guests walk up a sleek modern staircase, against one of the original murals restored by artist Erica Merchant, a guest of The Landmark will find another bar with a lounge room. Walking into the adjacent building are table games, a sports betting area and a balcony made for socializing, with a view of the city looking north across Deadwood, where Sherman Street and Pioneer Way merge.
The upper floors are still under construction but will be home to 23 elegant rooms.
The rooftop balcony will be available only to overnight guests of the hotel, and it looks out directly below Mount Moriah Cemetery where Wild Bill Hickock is buried.
“Wild Bill is looking down upon us,” Keating said.
The hotel rooms are expected to open for business Aug. 1, 2024.
Keating said what drew him to gaming in the Black Hills was the consistent and regulated business environment, and it makes people happy.
“It’s about making people feel good,” said Keating.
Keating took the Rapid City Journal on a tour of the future hotel rooms, as construction workers hammered, hauled material, and the screeching sound of power equipment echoed through the open construction zone of the top two floors. Keating took a moment to stop the interview to help one of the workers struggling to move a piece of material up a few steps before continuing the tour.
“We have a great team,” said Keating. “We have the best staff, the best workers in Deadwood.”
Keating first got his start in real estate at a young age.
“I’ve always loved real estate,” he said.
A graduate of University of Nebraska, he spent time in banking before getting into real estate full-time by age 25.
Born and raised in Atkinson, Nebraska, Keating, 59, still has a home and office in Atkinson.
In the past decade, Keating Resources has started investing in real estate projects in Florida, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas and Wyoming. He brought his son, Alec, in as his partner in 2020. Their focus is on properties which are undervalued and require creative redevelopment.
Over the years, Keating Resources has acquired all types of real estate, from agriculture, industrial, office, multifamily, mining, port terminals, rail terminals and a ski mountain.
Keating Resources recently bought Deer Mountain Village, which Keating turned into a private adventure community consisting of 640 acres of skiing, hiking, and tubing at an elevation of 6,500 ft. in the Black Hills.
“It’s very special; it's beautiful,” said Keating.
Full-time employment at The Landmark Casino consists of 22 employees, not to mention hundreds of people that have worked on the restoration and creation of The Landmark Casino, costing approximately $22 million over the course of the last three-and-a-half years.
Almost any window from all four sides of The Landmark Casino offers some type of view across the city of Deadwood or looking out toward the rugged, mountainous landscape.
“These views are unlike any in Deadwood,” said Keating. “Many people didn’t know these views existed. I think Mr. Adams would be proud of what we’ve done here.”
On March 1, Keating Resources will kick off a three-day event at The Landmark Casino to celebrate the official grand opening.
The Landmark has been open since November, but this event will signify the official opening.
The 26-foot-tall gold chain art sculpture will be revealed at the grand opening at 2 p.m. on March 1, along with other scheduled events and giveaways going on throughout the weekend.
For more information about The Landmark, visit deadwoodlandmark.com.