Construction kicks off on $750M Norfolk casino
After more than four years and amid shifting plans, construction has finally begun on Norfolk‘s new $750 million casino resort. Norfolk Casino spokesperson Jay Smith confirmed that construction on the long-awaited project kicked off Friday near Harbor Park. While a ceremonial groundbreaking ceremony was held in October 2024, actual site work didn’t begin until last […]
Playa Hotels & Resorts to be acquired in $2.6B deal with Hyatt
Resorts owner, operator and developer Playa Hotels & Resorts has entered into an agreement to be acquired by an indirect subsidiary of Hyatt Hotels for approximately $2.6 billion, including approximately $900 million in debt, the hospitality companies announced Monday. Playa Hotels & Resorts is a Dutch public limited liability company headquartered in Amsterdam with an […]
On the road again
Business and leisure travelers are putting the pandemic in the rearview mirror and once again are filling Virginia hotels and resorts. While that’s good news, widespread staffing shortages continue to hamper the hospitality industry. Occupancy rates are almost back to 2019 numbers, with Northern Virginia finally seeing upticks as corporate and government travel has slowly […]
Petersburg approves Cordish Cos. for possible casino
Petersburg City Council is taking a gamble on Maryland-based The Cordish Cos. to develop a casino there — even though Petersburg doesn’t yet have permission to build a casino, according to state law. Council members voted unanimously Tuesday in favor of Cordish,, a commercial real estate company that has developed casinos across the mid-Atlantic and […]
Va. Beach vacation company acquired by Calif. company
Mill Valley, California-based Vacatia Inc. has acquired Virginia Beach-based hospitality and vacation ownership company VSA Resorts, the timeshare owner and property management services provider announced Jan. 3. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. VSA owns three Virginia Beach properties: Ocean Key Resort, Atrium Resort and Ocean Sands Resort. The company also manages wholly-[...]
Alpine-X names Olympian Bode Miller as chief innovation officer
McLean based indoor snow sports resort developer Alpine-X LLC has named Olympic alpine ski racer Bode Miller its chief innovation officer, the company announced Wednesday. Miller, who has won six Olympic medals, owns consulting and professional services group M BAR W Enterprises LLC with Andy Wirth. “Alpine-X is advancing a creative, visionary and inclusive approach […]
Richmond confirms six eligible bids for casino, seeks public input
Place your bets. Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney’s office confirmed Friday that the six casino proposals made public this week all submitted proposals that are eligible for consideration by Richmond City Council and voters. The city also revealed the proposed locations for all six plans. Bally’s Corp. and Golden Nugget Hotels & Casinos are interested in […]
UPDATED: Golden Nugget, Wind Creek enter proposals to build Richmond casino
Updated 3 p.m., Feb. 24 Joining at least four other groups competing to be chosen as Richmond’s choice for a casino operator, bids from two other casino companies were made public Wednesday. Houston-based Golden Nugget Hotels & Casinos has proposed a $400 million casino project about six miles from downtown, and Wind Creek Hospitality, affiliated […]
UPDATED: Richmond now has six major casino proposals
Updated Feb. 26 The city of Richmond is now considering six casino proposals, the mayor’s office announced Friday. Monday afternoon was the city’s deadline for its request for proposals, and all six submitted were deemed eligible. Starting next month, Richmond will hold public meetings with opportunities for citizen input. In addition to the Pamunkey Indian […]
Rush Street Gaming announces general contractor for Portsmouth casino
Rush Street Gaming, the developer and gaming operator for the upcoming $300 million Rivers Casino Portsmouth, announced Friday it has chosen a joint venture between Virginia Beach-based S.B. Ballard Construction Co. and Philadelphia, Mississippi-based Yates Construction as the resort casino’s general contractor. Ballard and Yates will construct the 400,000-square-foot casino, which will incl[...]
Richmond city government solicits proposals for resort casino
Richmond has issued a request for qualifications/proposals, the first step in launching a competitive process for bringing a resort casino to the state capital, subject to voter approval. Earlier this year, Gov. Ralph Northam signed legislation allowing five economically challenged cities — including Richmond — to open casinos. Voters in Bristol, Danville, Norfolk and Portsmouth […]
Primland, Salamander nominated for USA Today resort list
Two Virginia resorts have landed on a list of 20 nominees for USA Today’s 10Best readers’ choice award for favorite destination resorts. Primland, in Meadows of Dan, and Middleburg’s Salamander Resort & Spa are nominated for the final list, which will be determined by readers’ ballots through July 27. The 10 winners will be named […]