West Virginia’s famed Greenbrier Resort broke ground September 2 on a casino that new owner Jim Justice hopes will restore some of the past luster to a resort that once was a favorite of U.S. presidents.
Justice, who bought the Greenbrier out of bankruptcy in May, has begun construction on the casino, along with new retail and dining areas, with a targeted completion date of next April. Combined, the casino, restaurants and retail will encompass approximately 80,000 square feet. The $25 million casino will house 320 VLTs and 38 table games. It will be built under the front lawn, which will retain its traditional flower bed but will add a reflecting pool, pedestrian walkways, benches and a leisure area.
Justice has pledged to recapture the five-star status in the Mobil Travel Guide once enjoyed by the Greenbrier, which was managed by Marriott before this year’s purchase. The resort lost the five-star rating in 2000.
A spokeswoman for the Greenbrier said the resort is planning to open a small temporary casino this fall-possibly by October-that will include 40 slots and 10 table games.
State officials questioned whether the resort can have games in place by October. While the West Virginia Lottery issued a license to Justice, the lottery commission still must approve a casino floor plan and issue licenses to employees who will work in the gaming areas.
“We’re anxious to see the Greenbrier get started,” Lottery Commissioner John Musgrave told the Associated Press. “That’s a very aggressive schedule for an October opening.” He noted that the state’s three racinos each took at least three months to launch slots after receiving the license.
The permanent casino facility is planned as an elegant space, with free champagne nightly to all guests-which will be limited to overnight resort guests, members of the Greenbrier Sporting Club and members of other on-property clubs. Attendees at conventions and meetings at the resort also will have access to the casino.
