Norfolk casino project approved by Architectural Review Board

A casino project in Norfolk, Virginia, has garnered preliminary approval from the Architectural Review Board (ARB), which oversees the city's development. According to WAVY-TV, the board members voted nearly unanimously in favour of the casino and hotel, with six votes for and one against.

ARB members stressed the importance of finalising design details before granting full approval. Gregory Rutledge highlighted the project's significance for the city's waterfront, describing it as a future landmark. However, he emphasised the necessity for a well-considered design that ensures longevity. Rutledge expressed concern that the current plans, while visually appealing, lack sufficient details on essential aspects such as building materials, operational functionality, and environmental impact.

The casino and hotel venture is being developed by the Pamunkey tribe in partnership with Boyd Gaming, a Las Vegas-based casino operator. Boyd recently acquired an 80% stake in the project from Tennessee billionaire John Yarbrough, who initially collaborated with the Pamunkey tribe to launch the casino. Boyd plans to open a temporary casino next year while the permanent facility is under construction. The project is slated to include a 200-room hotel, 1,500 slot machines, 50 table games, and a sportsbook, with an estimated cost exceeding $300 million, although the final budget has yet to be disclosed by Boyd Gaming.