Construction of the building began in the 1920's. The Playa Ensenada and casino, its former name, opened in 1930 as a glamorous casino and hotel, restaurant and bar visited by Hollywood stars and wealthy Americans and Mexicans during the Prohibition era. It was said Al Capone financed the building of the casino and Jack Dempsey once managed it. Today it is Ensenada's social, civic and cultural center.