Caesars Virginia celebrates construction milestone with hotel topping-off ceremony

Caesars Virginia commemorated the advancement in the construction of the upcoming hotel and casino complex by holding a topping-off ceremony Thursday afternoon for the property's 12-story hotel.

The event featured the hoisting of a tree and an American flag to the top of the building, symbolizing respect for the land and nature, as explained by Vice President and General Manager Chris Albrecht. 

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“In some cultures, they say putting the tree above the building demonstrates respect for the earth that we disrupted here,” Albrecht said. “That tree symbolizes that we’re going to give back to it.”

The manager also celebrated the importance of the construction for Danville. "Every time I walk around and talk to folks here in the city, all they reference is no matter where I am driving, I can see. They can see this. This has truly changed the skyline of Danville and when you come from miles around, you see this great addition to the three sisters and again a truly important moment for us,” he stated. 

Chris Albrecht, Vice President and General Manager

The hotel, part of the Caesars Virginia resort complex, will feature 320 rooms, including 28 suites. It will also feature a spa, a swimming pool, and floor-to-ceiling windows. The number of rooms is less than the initially planned 500. Additionally, a partnership with Averett University’s Hospitality and Tourism Program aims to expand its influence in the local community.

Currently, the casino's temporary space employs 440 workers, with plans to significantly increase the staff for the permanent location. The full resort is expected to create about 1,300 jobs.

During the ceremony, Barron Fuller, Regional President of Caesars Entertainment, expressed confidence in the project: "It solidifies that Danville made the right choice in picking Caesars." He also stated that in "an odd 300 days from now, we'll all be standing right here again opening the doors to the newest Caesars."

The resort is scheduled to open later this year, with Albrecht reiterating the commitment to the stipulated timeline. “I no longer have to say next year or late next year. We are opening this year. We are on target, and everything is moving along well,” he said. 

In addition to the topping-off ceremony, a time capsule containing casino-related items was buried on the site. "It will stay there forever or until something else gets built here," manager Albrecht said.  

The casino project, valued at $650 million, will include over 1,400 slot machines, table games, a Caesars sportsbook, and a live poker room named and inspired by the World Series of Poker.

The resort's meeting and convention space will span 40,000 square feet, complemented by an entertainment venue capable of accommodating 2,500 guests, as well as various restaurants and bars. The construction company Whiting-Turner, responsible for the project, has experience in similar projects at other Caesars Entertainment locations.