Construction has begun for the expansion of SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia. A ground breaking ceremony celebrating the event was held on July 23, emceed by General Manager Wendy Hamilton along with Greg Carlin representing Rush Street Gaming (www.rushstreetgaming.com), the casino owners. Also joining the festivities at the site were elected officials, community leaders, SugarHouse management and staff as well as the A/E/C team.
Cope Linder Architects continues its role as lead design firm for the SugarHouse project, providing architectural services while directing a team of engineers, interior designers and specialty consultants. CLA’s design for the initial phase of SugarHouse opened in 2010. The current project, anticipated to be opened in late summer 2015, will complete “phase one” of the SugarHouse master plan and represents an important milestone in the development of Philadelphia’s only casino.
The current project is valued at $165 million and includes a major expansion of the gaming floor which will nearly double the capacity for slots and accommodate a full range of table games. The project also includes a new separate Poker Room, an elegant new Hi-Limits area and a new VIP Lounge overlooking the Delaware riverfront. The expanded food and beverage program will include a new riverfront Steak House restaurant and a new and novel concept, The Market Place, serving freshly-prepared to order foods. A new multi-purpose event center venue and accompanying banquet kitchen will occupy the new second floor and will accommodate live performance, concert and boxing events, as well as smaller social and conference bookings.
The project also includes a new self-park garage with 1,580 spaces, designed with an emphasis on safety and convenience allowing customers direct access to the gaming floor. CLA’s site design extends the public promenade along the river’s edge, provides public pedestrian pathways through the site and frames the facility with green edges, trees and planting areas.
Development Management Associates (www.dmassociates.com) of Chicago is providing project management services, Keating Consulting (www.keating-consulting.com) of Philadelphia is serving as the Owner’s Representative and Skanska USA is the general contractor for the project.
