Bruce Smith Enterprise and Cordish Companies break ground on Virginia property

Executives from both companies and Cordish Gaming were joined by Petersburg City Mayor Sam Parham and members of Petersburg City Council at the ceremony.

Bruce Smith Enterprise and Cordish Companies have officially broken ground on Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, part of a $1.4bn master plan that will provide a mixed-use resort destination for Petersburg residents. 

Bruce Smith, an NFL Hall-of-Famer who originally founded the real estate firm, said the property has been an immense source of “satisfaction and pride” to partner with. 

“For far too long people have simply driven by the City of Petersburg, but today marks the beginning of a new era in which Petersburg will become a prime destination,” Smith said. 

“This pivotal project will ignite tourism, create jobs and ultimately deliver on the promise of greater opportunity and upward mobility for local families. As a champion of Petersburg and its residents, I am happily confident that this historic development will uplift, empower and enrich this community for years to come.”

Executives from Bruce Smith Enterprise, The Cordish Companies and Cordish Gaming were joined by Petersburg City Mayor Sam Parham and members of Petersburg City Council at the construction site to celebrate the milestone. 

Fellow lawmakers such as Virginia State Senator Lashrecse Aird, Virginia State Delegate Kim Taylor and many other business and community leaders were also present on the day. 

Good to know: The Cordish Companies celebrated the grand opening of its newest property, Live! Casino & Hotel Louisiana, on February 13, representing the first land-side casino to be launched in the Shreveport-Bossier market

“Today marks a monumental day for The Cordish Companies as we expand our Live! brand into the Central Virginia region with the development of Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia,” Cordish Companies COO Zed Smith said. 

“Live! Casino & Hotel will be a transformative development that will bring a world-class gaming and entertainment experience to millions of visitors, create significant new jobs and generate millions of dollars in economic benefits for the community that will provide a beneficial impact for generations.”

Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia is slated to open during 2027, while a temporary gaming facility will open by the end of 2025 to immediately begin creating an estimated 500 new jobs, vendor opportunities and economic benefits for the city.

The property will be developed, owned and managed by Petersburg Community Development Investors and its affiliates, with authorization for a casino in the city subject to licensing by applicable commonwealth agencies, including the Virginia Lottery.

Kirk Geller

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