Rivers Casino Pittsburgh is building a hotel. The news comes following a pause while focusing on the rollout of products made possible by Pennsylvania’s 2017 gaming expansion law.
“The time is right,” said Greg Carlin, CEO of Rush Street Gaming, the operator of Rivers Casino Pittsburgh.
“Statewide gaming expansion changed our schedule, but never our intentions. Rush Street always envisioned a hotel for Rivers to create a full-service destination on the North Shore. We see it as a natural evolution.”
Introducing The Landing Hotel Pittsburgh
The new Landing Hotel Pittsburgh will attach to the existing casino’s east facade. The hotel plans call for 219 guest rooms that will face the Carnegie Science Center.
The seven-story property has a modern urban design, and its look comes from a Rush Street property in New York state known as The Landing New York.
The project’s contemporary design comes from hospitality architect, VOA. With a riverfront footprint, The Landing Hotel is designed with windows on every level in order to offer unobstructed views of the Ohio River.
The look is consistent with Rivers Casino’s upscale urban aesthetic and includes 10 luxury terrace suites, each with private first-floor patios
Preliminary permitting has begun through the city’s planning, and zoning departments and construction should take 18 months. The hotel will create approximately 128 permanent new jobs and another 1,400 temporary construction jobs.
Rush Street plans to begin work on the $60-million hotel sometime this summer. Rivers projects opening in early 2021.
Rivers general manager Bill Keena spoke about the news to KDKA CBS Pittsburgh.
“Exciting news is putting it mildly. Our employees are so enthusiastic. They’re excited. This has been a long time coming, getting this new hotel here.”
PA sports betting, online casinos and a new name
In 2017, Rivers received approval to build the hotel, but soon after postponed the project.
Instead, the gaming expansion law allowed mini-casinos, and the Supreme Court found PASPA unconstitutional, opening the door for sports betting in PA. It changed the gaming landscape in PA and Rush Street focused on the next steps for the company.
So, rather than add on, Rush Street upgraded with:
- New PA sportsbook
- Event center
- Gourmet restaurant
The delay seemed to have solidified Rush Street’s long-term plan for the company.
Besides building the hotel, the company is also consolidating its brand identities.
Rush Street recently announced it would rename SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia to Rivers Philadelphia this fall. Along with a new name, the casino will get a series of property upgrades.
The branding announcement came as online casinos in PA are set to launch on July 15.
After launching the first sports betting app in PA last month, Rush Street now prepares for the next wave of gambling expansion.
