Petersburg, Virginia City Council Unanimously Approves Zoning for Live! Casino Resort

Zoning Approval is Key Step Forward on Multi-Phase $1.4 Billion World-Class Destination

Developed in Partnership between The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise

 

PETERSBURG, VA (February 25, 2025) –Today, the Petersburg City Council and the Petersburg Planning Commission unanimously gave final approval to the zoning permits for Live! Casino Resort, which is being codeveloped by The Cordish Companies and Bruce Smith Enterprise.  This approval paves the way for site development work to start in preparation for the construction of the multi-phase project beginning with Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia. 

Scheduled to be completed in phases, Live! Casino Resort is expected to generate $2.8 billion in economic stimulus to the region, $504 million in tax revenues, including $240 million to the City of Petersburg alone, $802 million in economic benefits during construction, $201 million in annual economic benefits each year after opening, and over 7,500 new construction and permanent jobs in its first 10 years. The initial component will be a first phase casino which will expedite jobs and revenue for the city. 

“We are grateful to our partners at the City of Petersburg for moving so quickly to get these zoning permits approved,” said Rob Norton, President, Cordish Gaming Group. “Our team is excited to move forward with the construction work so that we can start generating tax revenue for the city and jobs for Petersburg residents.  The first-phase casino is the initial step in our long-term commitment to building a world-class destination for the city and region.”

Live! Casino Resort, anchored by Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia, will be a catalyst for change and significant urban development, transforming the region through the creation of a thriving entertainment and hospitality destination. The project will set a new standard for gaming, hotels, and entertainment in the Commonwealth, and serve as a new world-class attraction for Petersburg and the greater Central Virginia region. The project site, ideally situated at the intersection of Wagner Road and Interstate I-95, has easy access on and off the East Coast’s major north-south interstate.

Upon completion, Live! Casino & Hotel Virginia will feature:

• More than 450,000 square feet of first-class gaming, hotel and dining space
• Over 75,000 square feet of meeting and convention space
• An upscale 200-room hotel featuring 20 suites, resort pool and fitness center
• 1,600 state-of-the-art slot machines
• 65 live action table games, including a 22-table poker room
• High limit slot and table areas and a sportsbook
• A 4,000-seat state-of-the-art entertainment venue for top talent from across Virginia and the greater region, as well as for meetings, conventions and social gatherings
• 10 best-in-class food and entertainment options, including  spaces that will be reserved for local partners
• Free surface parking

Career opportunities will be available in every field including hotel operations, finance, marketing, human resources, information technologies, food and beverage, facilities, security and surveillance and gaming operations. Hiring preference will be given to local residents first, then surrounding communities. For more information, please visit valive.casino/opportunities/careers/.

Image files for current project renderings can be downloaded here.

Live! Casino Resort will be developed, owned, and managed by Petersburg Community Development Investors, LLC and its affiliates. Authorization of a casino in Petersburg is subject to licensing by applicable Commonwealth agencies including the Virginia Lottery.

For more information, please visit https://valive.casino/.

 

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About The Cordish Companies

The Cordish Companies' origins date back to 1910 and encompass four generations of privately held, family ownership. During the past ten decades, The Cordish Companies has grown into a global leader in Gaming & Entertainment; Commercial Real Estate; Entertainment Districts; Sports-Anchored Developments; Hotels; Residential Properties; Restaurants; Coworking Spaces; and Private Equity. One of the largest and most respected developers in the world, The Cordish Companies has been awarded an unprecedented seven Urban Land Institute Awards for Excellence for public-private developments that are of unique significance to the cities in which they are located. The Cordish Companies has developed and operates highly acclaimed dining, entertainment and hospitality destinations throughout the United States, many falling under The Cordish Companies' Live! Brand highly regarded as one of the premier entertainment brands in the country. Welcoming over 60 million visitors per year, these developments are among the highest profile dining, entertainment, gaming, hotel and sports-anchored destinations in the country. In gaming, The Cordish Companies has developed among the most successful casino hotel resorts in the world, including the Hard Rock Hotels & Casinos in Hollywood and Tampa, FL, Live! Casino & Hotel Maryland, Live! Casino Pittsburgh and Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia. Over the generations, The Cordish Companies has remained true to the family's core values of quality, entrepreneurial spirit, long-term personal relationships and integrity. As a testimony to the long-term vision of its family leadership, The Cordish Companies still owns and manages virtually every business it has created. For more information, visit www.cordish.com or follow us on X (formerly Twitter) @cordishco.

“The Cordish Companies,” “The Cordish Company” and “Cordish” are trademarks used under license by independent corporations, legal liability companies and partnerships (“Cordish Entities”). Each Cordish Entity is a separate, single-purpose legal entity that is solely responsible for its obligations and liabilities. No common operations or financial interdependency, and no intermingling of assets or liabilities of the Cordish Entities exists, or should be deemed to exist, as a result of the potential common reference to multiple independent entities operating under the names “Cordish,” “The Cordish Companies” or “The Cordish Company” here or elsewhere. 

About Bruce Smith Enterprise

Bruce Smith Enterprise, led by legendary Pro Football Hall of Fame member and Virginia native Bruce Smith, is a commercial real estate firm that specializes in the development of premier mixed-use projects. Headquartered in Virginia Beach, VA, the company has developed notable properties throughout the state and the Mid-Atlantic region that feature the cohesive and seamless integration of residential, hotel, Class A office, and retail space. Since retiring from professional football in 2004 after a prolific 19-year career, the NFL’s All-Time Sack Leader has endeavored to bring the same level of unparalleled excellence, diligence, and leadership that he honed as a veteran on the field to the management of Bruce Smith Enterprise. The successful development of timeless mixed-use properties that survive and withstand trends of the marketplace, strengthen, and invigorate the local economy and create jobs are core values of Bruce Smith Enterprise’s primary mission.

 

Media Contacts:            

Cari Furman, The Cordish Companies, cfurman@cordish.com

Andy Poarch, Andy@AllianceGroupLtd.com, 804-564-2566