Norfolk casino developers select construction management team

A joint venture between Virginia Beach-based S.B. Ballard Construction and Mississippi-based Yates Construction — the companies that built Rivers Casino Portsmouth — will lead construction of the $750 million Norfolk casino resort.

The casino development partners, Boyd Gaming and the Pamunkey Indian Tribe, announced the selection of Yates/Ballard as construction manager Tuesday.

“These two outstanding companies are the ideal team to lead construction of our resort on the Norfolk waterfront,” Uri Clinton, Boyd Gaming executive vice president and general counsel, said in a statement. “S.B. Ballard’s proven track record in this region and extensive network of subcontractors will allow us to successfully meet our development timeline, while Yates’ unparalleled experience in casino development will help us deliver a truly market-leading resort experience.”

Norfolk native Stephen B. Ballard founded S.B. Ballard Construction more than four decades ago and is its CEO. The company provides construction management, design-build, public-private partnerships and other construction services to clients in the mid-Atlantic and Southeast regions. Its other notable projects include the Half Moone Cruise and Celebration Center in Norfolk and the Norfolk International Airport’s arrivals parking garage.

“We are excited to join the Norfolk casino team and to help deliver a truly special project for the entire Hampton Roads community,” Ballard said in a statement.

Established in 1964, Yates is a privately held contractor with experience in gaming and hospitality projects. The firm has led casino development projects including the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey; the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Mississippi; and the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood in Florida. The company previously worked with Boyd on the Treasure Chest Casino in Kenner, Louisiana, which opened in June 2024.

Yates CEO William G. Yates III said in a statement, “Time and again, Yates has seen the tremendous positive impact that a market-leading gaming resort can have on a community, and we are ready to bring that track record of success to Norfolk.”

Norfolk City Council approved a development agreement between the city, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe and Boyd Gaming in September 2024, after an earlier partnership between the tribe and Tennessee investor Jon Yarbrough faltered. The new team scrapped the original HeadWaters Resort & Casino name and held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Norfolk casino Oct. 30, 2024.

Boyd anticipates opening a temporary facility “late this year,” according to a news release, with the permanent casino resort opening in late 2027. The developers must have at least a temporary casino built and licensed by the Virginia State Lottery by November to meet the state deadline to retain the right to build a casino under the city’s 2020 casino referendum vote.

The permanent resort is set have 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, a 200-room hotel and eight food and beverage outlets.

The Pamunkey Indian Tribe initially announced in September 2021 that it had selected construction firms Newport News-based W.M. Jordan and Boston-based Suffolk Construction.

Founded in 1975, Boyd Gaming operates 28 gaming properties in 10 states. The company also is a 5% equity owner in FanDuel Group, a sports betting operator.

Virginia currently has three casinos: the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Bristol, the Rivers Casino Portsmouth and the Caesars Virginia in Danville. Another will be coming in Petersburg, after more than 80% of the city’s voters said yes to its casino referendum in November 2024.