Responding to Pennsylvania’s new gaming initiative, Cope Linder Architects (CLA) produced a complete long range development master plan encompassing a three square block area along the Philadelphia Delaware Riverfront. The plan was successful in supporting the SugarHouse casino license approval, the first gaming license to be awarded in Philadelphia. CLA’s planning process included extensive technical engineering analysis and a thorough investigation of the most suitable program elements, physical configurations, and development sequence. CLA presented the plan to multiple government agencies and civic organizations resulting ultimately in decisive positive support. Through this process a number of critical issues emerged which shaped the final plan, including a commitment to repair the city’s neglected waterfront storm sewer infrastructure and creation of a new public access promenade along the river’s edge.
The plan envisions a 3.3 million SF mixed-use program including 3,000 slots gaming floor with related dining, entertainment and support functions, 250,000 SF retail, multiple hotel towers, conference and banquet facilities, a residential tower and structured parking to support these functions. With the initial development phase complete and SugarHouse Casino in operation, a second phase designed by CLA is now under construction.
Owner / Client: Rush Street Gaming / HSP Gaming
