Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia has reached an important milestone in Petersburg. The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise celebrated the placement of the final structural beam on the resort’s planned 10-story hotel.
The topping-out ceremony marks the completion of the hotel’s main structural framework. While construction is still underway, the milestone moves the project closer to its scheduled late 2027 opening.
For people following casinos in Virginia, the development represents more than a new gaming floor. Plans call for a destination that combines overnight stays, restaurants, entertainment, meeting space, and casino gaming at one location.
What the Topping-Out Ceremony Means
Project leaders, community members, and state and local officials gathered at the construction site at 301 Wagner Road, near the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate 95.
Those attending included Virginia House Speaker Don Scott, Sen. Lashrecse Aird, Del. Kimberly Pope Adams, and Petersburg Mayor Samuel Parham. A signed commemorative beam was raised into place to mark the occasion.
A topping-out ceremony celebrates a building reaching the final stage of its structural framework. It does not mean the property is ready to open. Interior construction, equipment installation, and finishing work still remain.
For Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, the ceremony signals a shift toward the work that will turn the hotel structure into a finished hospitality destination.
What Is Planned for the New Casino in Virginia?
The new casino in Virginia is already up and running—sort of. It's a temporary facility that will eventually give way to the permanent resort. The permanent facility will include roughly 445,000 square feet or more of gaming, hotel, and hospitality space. Its mix of amenities is designed to attract guests interested in more than casino games.
A 200-Room Hotel and Resort Amenities
The hotel is expected to offer approximately 200 rooms, including about 25 suites. Plans also include a resort pool, spa, and fitness center.
These features would give overnight visitors a place to stay and relax while attending an event, dining at the property, or visiting the casino.
Casino Gaming and a Sportsbook
Plans for the gaming floor include approximately 1,600 slot machines, dozens of live table games, a poker room, a sportsbook, and high-limit areas.
Published figures supplied for the project differ on the exact number of table games and poker tables. Those totals should be treated as preliminary rather than final specifications.
The planned variety would make gaming a central part of this Virginia casino while leaving room for other experiences throughout the property.
Dining, Bars, and Entertainment
The development is expected to feature around 20 dining, bar, and entertainment venues. Planned concepts include:
- Sports & Social
- The Prime Rib
- Luk Fu
The resort is also expected to provide more than 70,000 square feet of meeting, convention, and entertainment space, including an event center for concerts and gatherings.
Together, these offerings could help the property attract restaurant guests, concert audiences, business groups, and overnight travelers alongside casino visitors.
How the Permanent Resort Connects to the Temporary Casino
The permanent development is being built on the same site as the temporary Live! Casino Virginia facility, which opened in January 2026.
The temporary casino has already created hundreds of jobs. It provides an operating presence in Petersburg while construction continues on the larger resort.
The distinction matters for anyone planning a visit: the temporary casino is open, but the full hotel and resort experience remains under development. The permanent property is scheduled to open in late 2027.
What the Project Could Mean for Petersburg
Developers and local leaders have described the resort as a potential source of long-term employment, tax revenue, and regional economic activity.
Projections highlighted in coverage include:
- Approximately 1,400 to 1,600 permanent jobs, in addition to construction-related employment.
- More than $500 million in tax revenue over the first decade, with a substantial share expected to benefit Petersburg.
- Broader regional economic activity projected in the billions.
These figures are forecasts, not guaranteed results. The eventual impact will depend on the resort’s operations and performance after opening.
The ceremony also included a community contribution. The property’s Change Maker program donated approximately $15,930 to Lending Helping Hands, adding a charitable element to the construction celebration.
A New Chapter for Virginia Casinos
The placement of the final hotel beam is a visible sign of progress for Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia. The next stages will focus on completing the interiors and preparing the property’s gaming, hospitality, dining, and event spaces.
With its permanent opening scheduled for late 2027, the Petersburg project aims to become a regional destination rather than simply another casino floor. Its planned combination of accommodations, entertainment, and meeting facilities shows how this Virginia casino could serve several types of visitors—and play a larger role in the city’s economy.
