Virginia: Norfolk casino developer unveils revamped plans with scaled-back hotel, single construction phase

Architects for the HeadWaters Resort and Casino project in Norfolk, Virginia, presented revamped plans to the Norfolk Architectural Review Board on Monday. The new proposal for the 6.5-acre site includes a five-story, scaled-back 200-room hotel, designed to be built in a single construction phase; along with a casino and an at-least 935-space parking garage.

Other features presented include an outdoor pool and bar, a food hall with four or five restaurants, a sports bar, a steakhouse, a fitness center, and a spa, among other amenities, reported The Virginian Pilot.

According to the report, the presentation by Daron Andrus with the HKS architectural firm comes after months of no updates on the casino front. In July 2023, the developers presented plans for a two-phase development approach for the casino and resort but withdrew the plans from consideration after city officials voiced disapproval.

The publication quoted Andrus as saying that the hotel has been scaled back from 300 to 200 rooms due to costs and a market analysis study showing a smaller number of rooms would meet the developer’s needs. He also said the design is scheduled to be constructed in a single phase. Andrus, however, did not say during Monday’s presentation how long construction is estimated to take.

Meanwhile, the review board members asked the developer to look into ways to make the glass windows safe for birds and to make the outside building design scheme more consistent.

In an emailed statement obtained by The Virginian Pilot, the Pamunkey Indian Tribe said they were excited to take the next step in the design and approval process for the resort. “This will be a resort experience of which the Tribe and the citizens of Norfolk can be proud,” the statement continued.

It has been over five years since the tribe showed interest in building a casino on a land parcel next to Harbor Park. Norfolk voters approved the casino construction in a 2020 referendum, which came with a five-year deadline. If the developer does not obtain a gaming license by that time, voters would need to approve another referendum. 

Some state lawmakers have told The Pilot they are open to the idea of extending the deadline. HeadWaters spokesperson Jay Smith previously told the above publication that construction would have needed to start in the spring to meet the statutory deadline for obtaining a gaming license by November 2025.

In the years since the referendum, the casino plans were amended multiple times and beset by delays and an address-related legal issue as the developer struggled to begin construction.

Andrus said architects would be back in a few weeks to present more designs to the board. The casino developer needs site plan approval from the Norfolk City Council before the city will sell the land for the project.