GALLERY: $750M Norfolk Resort Casino construction ‘on time and on budget,’ GM says
NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) — More than a year after breaking ground, the progress being made on Norfolk's Resort Casino is hard to ignore.
The structure that sits on just more than six acres of land between Harbor Park and the Amtrak station now reaches six stories in air. That's half the height of what the hotel tower will ultimately top out at.
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So far, construction crews have used more than 1,000 tons of steal, poured 35,000 cubic yards of concrete and put into place 3,600 pounds of rebar at the site.
Ron Bailey, the yet-to-be named casino's general manager, said so far, everything is a go for an opening in late 2027.
"We are on schedule, we are on budget," Bailey said Wednesday. "This is really happening. This is a great, large, privately-funded venture that's going to really drive some economic development, not just for this property, but in the whole area and the whole community."
A look at the proposed Norfolk Casino (Courtesy: HKS Inc)The main casino floor will take up the first three stories of the building and be 6,500 square feet. (WAVY Photo/Wyatt Young)The seven-story parking garage will be able to hold 1,300 cars. 103 spaces will be set aside for Amtrak customers (WAVY Photo/Wyatt Young)So far, more than 1,000 tons of steel has been used to construct Norfolk's Casino (WAVY Photo/Wyatt Young)Above the casino gaming floor will be an amenity floor with conference space, pool and spa. (WAVY Photo/Wyatt Young)Casino GM Ron Bailey said the center bar of the gaming floor will be the "focal point." It will be raised and is already under construction (WAVY Photo/Wyatt Young)In order to have room for a crane to lift steel in the tight confines of the site, part of the casino foundation has not yet been poured. The casino structure will eventually run to the white wall on the right side of the screen (WAVY Photo/Wyatt Young)The section of Norfolk's Casino that faces the Elizabeth River will allow natural light to enter into part of the gaming floor, which is a rarity at casinos. (WAVY Photo/Wyatt Young)Royal Flush portable toilets are hoisted to the top floor of the parking garage of Norfolk's Resort Casino on August 19, 2026 (WAVY Photo/Wyatt Young)A more than 2,500 pound I-beam is prepared to be hoisted high above the site of Norfolk's proposed casino (WAVY Photo/Wyatt Young)In order to have room for a crane to lift steel in the tight confines of the site, part of the casino foundation has not yet been poured. The casino structure will eventually run to the white wall on the right side of the screen (WAVY Photo/Wyatt Young)A look at the proposed Norfolk Casino (Courtesy: HKS Inc)A look at the proposed Norfolk Casino (Courtesy: HKS Inc)A look at the proposed Norfolk Casino (Courtesy: HKS Inc)A look at the proposed Norfolk Casino (Courtesy: HKS Inc)A look at the proposed Norfolk Casino (Courtesy: HKS Inc)A look at the proposed Norfolk Casino (Courtesy: HKS Inc)
The $750 million development is a being led by Las Vegas-based Boyd Gaming, in partnership with the Virginia-based Pamunkey Indian Tribe.
While gambling is currently underway at a small scale at "The Interim Gaming Hall" at the front of the property, the permanent resort will host 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, a 200-room hotel, eight food and beverage outlets, a live entertainment venue and a 45,000-square-foot outdoor amenity deck. It's also planning a showroom, pool, spa and meeting space.
A 1,300-space parking garage is also being built, with 103 spots set aside for Amtrak passengers.
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